Help me pick another diesel

This is just for fun since I don't really see it happening, but I really hate the 5.4L in my F150. It has developed some piston slap, it has jettisoned one spark plug, had to have the exhaust manifold replaced and its leaking again, fried an alternator... its just such a complete 180 from the 4.6L trucks I've had in the past.

So I want to daydream about what diesel to swap into it. Chances are I will just sell this one and invest in a diesel truck (cheaper/easier) and I doubt PA would even let me put a diesel in an 02 pickup, but let's have fun.

What diesel would you put in it? I'm looking for nothing over the top. Most diesel tunes have significant MPG and power left on the table, so with a target of (let's say) 250hp/450tq, that means starting with a mill that is in the 200/375 range so that with a good tune it will hit my goals. Unless there is a bigger mill that would be an easier fit, like a 6.0L stroke with the problems fixed.

I'd vote 7.3PS or a 4BT. Likely the former since it would probably bolt-in a little easier being all-Ford.

Plus that leaves me the option of a ZF6 for behind it

7.3 with the ZF or a 6BT (no sense is a 4BT). Or a DT466 ( i know it fits in the later model years, not sure on the 02) but then you get a great sleeved engine, that can make as much or as little power as you want.

In reply to java230:

The problem with a 6BT in his truck is the rear two cylinders would be inside the cab. IIRC, this vintage truck was the first one that was not designed with the venerable 300-6 in mind. The engine bay isn't that big.

I'm a big fan of the 7.3 but they are ridiculously heavy. I'm not sure you could even carry on in the bed of an F150 let alone put one under the hood.

I vote for the triple turbocharged BMW from the euro spec M50d. 376 hp@4000-4400, 550 lb·ft@2000-3000.

In reply to Ian F:

That is true, no one said the firewall had to be intact

The OM602, OM603 and the OM606 have been on my radar for the past couple years. Hot ticket is the 606 with the mechanical pump from the 603.

Relevant to your (our) interests. https://www.youtube.com/embed/vMHZRw78XZ0

I just bought a Jeep Liberty with a Motori crd. It is surprisingly peppy. I immediately started to think about swaps.

bigdaddylee82 wrote: The OM602, OM603 and the OM606 have been on my radar for the past couple years. Hot ticket is the 606 with the mechanical pump from the 603.

I think I love you.

java230 wrote: In reply to Ian F: That is true, no one said the firewall had to be intact

I own a plasma cutter and duct tape.

OM606 + 603 Mech IP modified by dieselmeckennan + holset turbo + intercooler + strong auto trans

Once while trying to dig up some tech info on an industrial Deutz engine I stumbled upon a build thread in which someone dropped a 5 cyl air/oil cooled Deutz into an eighties F-250.

curtis73 wrote:

bigdaddylee82 wrote: The OM602, OM603 and the OM606 have been on my radar for the past couple years. Hot ticket is the 606 with the mechanical pump from the 603.

I think I love you.

An OM648 would be better for a swap if you don't mind dealing with the electronics. The Om603 has various issues including weak cylinder heads unless you track down a newer replacement (between $200 and $3k depending on how much time and luck you have), and the vacuum pumps fall apart and either snap the timing chain or get sucked into the oil pump and stop it. The om606 is better but glow plug replacement usually requires pulling the head and sending it to a machine shop. I have one in the original car it came in and it's really not very reliable either, the Alfa Milano I used to have took far less work to keep running.

A few years back I had looked into an MWM diesel. They are somehow affiliated with International, but they are a Brazilian manufacturer. From what I understand they are the bees knees, but I can't get parts here.

One of the things that I feel is lacking in the US is mid-size diesel engines. There are small car diesels, plenty of 3/4 ton and up diesels, but what I think I'm looking for is something in the 4.5-5.5L general area. I could do a powerstroke, but its such overkill in size and weight. There is the 5.0L Cummins but it is mostly unpopular and I doubt I could navigate the insane levels of electronics. They are so technical that I'd be afraid of everything breaking. There are some commercial 4-bangers like the 4BT, Isuzus, and Nissan UDs, but they command top dollar and rattle your teeth out while waking the dead.

Call me crazy, but I always liked the 6.5TD. Detroit-assisted design, adequate power, very thrifty, and if you move the computer away from the heat, very reliable. They can make some decent power if you don't mind black smoke (which I kinda do).

What I would love is something like a 5.0L-range V6, V8, or I6 diesel, and there just aren't that many around.

I think this would be fun with an old two stroke diesel :D

Put a 350 Olds diesel in it.

Detroit 4-53T

Twin sticks optional https://www.youtube.com/embed/iU3gZGUInd4

Holy carp, the noise that that 4-53T makes...

In reply to BoxheadTim:

I love the sound of old 2 stroke Detroits. As a new bus operator I would try to get one of our remaining Jimmies every night. I may have had a habit of leaving them in first gear as I passed between the projects at night to listen to it echo of the buildings.

I still stand by the om606

In reply to BrokenYugo:

Oh my..... the sound is intoxicating

If you want to hear something really crazy check out what happens when things go wrong and they run away. Bad idea to run one of these without a air intake emergency shutoff (cuts off air to the engine), have a board or CO2 fire extinguisher ready if it's been sitting and check that the fuel rack linkage moves before cranking it.

1 minute mark https://www.youtube.com/embed/3NRaqgab0_w

Or the bigger 4-71, jump to the 2 minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/vbiNndfNNKI