Hey guys, I just bought an RV with a 460/C6. I'm going to be towing a car hauler with this and would love to convert to a diesel. What is the legality of this? How difficult? I'd like to stay simple if possible, I was thinking about an older 6.9 with a sidewinder setup or something. PSD would be sweet but I think that $$ and complexity would be an issue. Thanks!!
legality is a state to state issue, depending on emissions requirements, testing, vehicle year/model/tonnage, if you have "hot rod" exemptions, etc. Do your homework to make sure you are legal.
As far as the actual conversion is concerned, what are you trying to acomplish? You will get better fuel economy, but you'll have to drive a whole bunch for it to pay for the cost of the conversion. Additionally, you may have a gearing issue with a C6, 460, in a motor home. Reason I say this is my Dad's old MH with a Dodge 440 has .456 rear end in it, and it would HOWL at 55 MPH. I am all but sure it was over what would be the operating range of a diesel engine at 55 MPH. So you may be hobbled on top end if you don't re-gear or put an overdrive in it...
Also, as I recall the 6.9 is bigger than the 460. If the 6.9 wasn't an option in vans the year your rig is, then you may have troubles fitting it in the doghouse (turbo will make it worse). These are just a few things that popped into my mind, don't let them stop you, just making sure you are aware of what you could be gettin ginto...
__________________
'99.5 PSD 6 SPD 4x4 Extended Cab long Box F-350
AFe Stage 1 intake, Marinco Block Htr Plug Mod., Hutch in-Tank Pickup Mod, $10 AIC, Walker BTM, Edge Juice with Attitude, and that is all, FOR NOW!!! Next mod = Regulated Return???
Old Truck - '95 PSD 5 spd 4x4
Haulin' a 11.5' camper, an '85 Bayliner Capri 20' boat w/ Chevy 350, and a flatbed w/ two big quads.
2004 Grizzly 660 Yamaha (For Me)
2004 Polaris 500 HO (For the Wife)
Spokane, WA
"I don't ride bulls, but I have fought some men" Hank Williams, Jr.
"Sie vie pacem, para bellum" (if you want peace, first prepare for war...)
I'm in CA, so I'll have to find out about legality.
I know it will take some work to get it in. Before I go too hog wild I'll take some measurements and find out how much work it's gonna be. I'm handly with a welder and have all the tooling needed to do the fab work. If I go w/ a diesel, I might grab the tranny with it (assuming it's an auto).
The cost is a good thought. It would take quite a while to make up the $5k cost. Let's say 5k miles a year. 7 mph vs 14 mpg @ 2.40/gallon. That's $1700 for the gasser and $850 for the diesel which would take 6 years to recover the cost. Hmmmmm.
the post may be in the wrong place but may i suggest that you try something before you change motors.If you are just set on diesel. Try changing the timing chain set on the 460, back in 1970 ford to conform to emissions retarded the timing by cutting the lock pin in the gear to retard the timing.Pre 69 will give you more power and better fuel milage, and I think that is what you are looking for.
I had a 86 F-250 6.9 with an ATS kit and the C6 behind it. 4.10 gears made for fairly frantic revs at 70+ although it towed like a beast. It did spew black soot under load with the turbo but it plenty of scoot. Anything other than 4.10 gears and I'm thinking revs are going to be a bear. And switching fuel systems may be problematic, I don't know what kind of fuel returns your 460 may have, nor what a diesel needs but I'd look into that also. The electrical system shouldn't be too difficult, but again, ask lots of questions. But, what you'll spend to convert over would pay for a lot of gas. Something to think about when considering an engine swap, especially from one fuel type to another.
Also consier weight of engine on front end. Normally dsl engines are heavier then gas. (460 vs 6.9 I have no idea)
Now if you could find a engine/trans combo that would bolt in (say a optional engine/trans in that RV that MIGHT be easier.
__________________
94 f250 idi turbo sc e4od alum fac rims 149,289 --dana 60 frt with posi--10.25 rear w/posi--shouldnt get stuck!! ats turbo 3" parts on--what a diff from stock turbo!!!!!--- also 96 F250 with 305,000 is fixed!!-- 7.3 rattler-also 85 6.9-needs new engine!! tired!!
What part of Calif are you in? Down here in Ensenada, Baja Mexico, a neighbor has a 87 F250 w/ a 6.9 no turbo/C-6 auto/ w/ a gear vendors OD. It runs because it is always in a different place when I go by. He wants $2500.00 for the whole truck. The GV unit costs that much. If you're interested, I'll get more info. The speedo shows 94k. Baja
A 6.9 is smaller than a 460. A 6.9 being 420 cubic inches.
__________________
2000 F-350 Super Cab,Long Box,4x4,7.3L PSD, Bully Dog Chip,6 sp. LEVER ACTION, Camper Pkg.,160k,Lariat,White on top,Gold on bottom,Gold interior. 285/75/16 BFG's
1993 F-250 Reg. Cab 4x4. XLT. 7.3L IDI, E4OD, 4.10 rear, Baldwin coolant filter. Born: 9/92, 160k, Lumbar bench with armrest. White on top, blue in middle, white on bottom. Clearence lights,DeeZee diamond plate running boards to back of cab. True dual exhausts with glasspacks and 4" stainless tips. Pretty well stock except for Pioneer CD player. ***OUT OF SERVICE***-Needs engine, tranny, and 4 tires, as of 12/1/06-shavings in oil.
A 460 is more cubic inches but the 6.9 block is bigger than the 460. So the 6.9 is physically larger than the 460
__________________
1997 F350 supercab dually auto powerstroke 109K, no mods yet
1993 Dodge 250 quadcab cummins 5spd 3.54LS
1986 F250 ex-cab 6.9, 4spd conversion with US Gear Overdrive, xlt lariat, All power 133K, turbo, homebuilt propane (awesome power from propane
1960 F100 223 inline six 4 on the floor, all original
Jack your first call should be to the referee for smogs here in Cali. Find out were they are located for your area, and go talk with them. Don't do it over the phone. They will provide you with lip service, and give you the run around. Go talk with them. They are a wealth of information and will help you. In my area, the ref is at the College and is an Automotive instructor. Good luck, Carl.
__________________
97 F-350,4wd,cc,long bed,4.10,35's,rebuilt E40D,H2E,3" intakes,Head studs,,pyrometer,boost,trans temp,home made open intake,Joe servo IDM, Inner cooler retro,Baby swamps 170/146, Bills 3 position chip,Updated HPOP, home made oil bypass filter system, A/C mod, updated super duty fuel system, 60 gal/toobox combo.
I just started looking at my options on the following and would like some thoughts from the experts out here.
I have a 1970 Dodge motorhome on an M300 chassis. it has a dodge 440 with a 727 transmission. The rear end is a 4.56 and it has a gear vendors over/underdrive installed.
I tow a trailer and travel a bit with it. I am looking at the possibility of installing a diesel 5.9 in the chassis. The goal is better mileage when towing, especially through the mountains.
The motorhome is in excellent shape, so I believe the money will be worth it, but that depends on the overall cost. We will do the conversion ourselves.
It sounds doable. I've seen Cummins conversions in a large variety of vehicles. You'll most likely want a mid '98 or earlier engine since they are all mechanical. I'm not familiar with your chassis but suspect you have acres or room under the hood to mouth the intercooler. Mounts can be fabricated. A/C and cruise may take more engineering if you have those. You will also need a diesel transmission since I'm not aware of any way your 727 will bolt up. Dodge automatics are not known for their durability so you certainly want the Mopar equivalent of a BTS so it will hold up. I'd suggest you do some research on the Cummins forums.
Linear Mode
