F-450 Engine Swap?

I can't help but think you would be many dollars ahead by keeping the

Matt

Agree'd. The hassle and cost of swapping a gas to diesel engine would be very high also. You might as well also buy a used diesel f-450 to use for a parts truck and it would probably cost 10 times more that the one you're looking at now. :)~ Live with the 460. It's a good engine.

For $1000 you can't go wrong. You should be able to easily turn it for more then that if it doesn't work out. The 460 is a great engine. Don't be shocked if your single digit fuel mileage is closer to 5 then 10 while pulling, with those gears. How many miles? You can look forward to an engine rebuild anywhere from

For the cost and aggravation of "swapping" to a turbo diesel setup you would be better off buying a truck that came originally as a diesel. Keep in mind that the diesel engine and parts are much more expensive then gas. I don't know where you live but that swap might be a real bitch come emissions testing time.

"351CJ" wrote in news:umcJd.7851$Hg6.6283@trnddc09:

I was hoping I could ask you some questions about the 460? I have a 1978 Club-Wagon with 460. Has 94k on it and was running strong.

Suddenly it started to run terribly rough. I went through and discovered possibly two different cylinders with spark issues. Cleaned everything up, replaced the plugs and wires and it ran smooth - but had a tapping noise from the rear of the engine.

Found a shop that said I needed a new motor, $3k installed for a refurbished 460 ! Eventually I got more out of them about the noise which obviously had worried me and they felt and I agreed it was the lifters and valves.

They quoted $795 plus tax for the job (they pissed me off when they called back the next day to add $60 for gaskets - duh ! if you are pulling something apart that hasa 27 year odl gasket of course it should be replaced and part ofthe original estimate price).

Anyway, got it back and they warrantied the work. Runs fairly smooth and quiet at lower RPMS and low loads, they adjusted the timing and carb "for free" and I am not really pleased with that.

It knocks and pings with a more open throttle, though I drove up a large hill slowly and the added load didn't seem to affect it.

It has more of a "gurgle" than it did before it acted up, but that could be holes in the exhaust or whatever, but it NEVER knocked an pinged before.

Ideas?

Well it sounds like you should use a different mechanic. Who knows what they did or did not do to your engine, ignition system, or fuel system. You may be able to address the pinging by retarding your timing. I haven't checked for you application but it should be in the neighborhood of 12 degrees BTDC...