Can I swap a DT466 for a DT408?

[eatheat]

I am trying to swap out my DT466 but have stumbled upon a good deal on a DT408 and wondering how compatible they are: mounting brackets, components, fuel system, size of block, year. Any information on these engines would be much appreciated as I have scoured the Earth and it seems no one has any experience or knowledge with the DT408 as International only made them for a year or two. In more detail, here is my predicament....

I have a 1978 DT466 in my 1979 Bluebird School Bus. Gus Bus's Photos - Vegas or Bus! | Facebook On my drive from Seattle to Austin, we were just outside of Phoenix and broke down. Leading up to this, the engine would over heat in a matter of minutes and we kept stopping to let it cool. After a few more miles on flat ground, a very loud, metal-on-metal rattle started from the engine. It went away but came back in a few minutes and we lost nearly all power. Taking out the dipstick showed that there was no motor oil left (only black muck) and it was smoking heavily from the dipstick tube. After getting towed to Tucson, I took off the valve cover and the oil pan. Both were coated in one inch of black jello, and I mean jello; it keeps its form and you can ball it up.

While I have been running vegetable oil which probably accounts for the bizarre texture of this alien goo, here is my theory as to what happened: My injection pump started leaking fuel which ended up in the oil sump. The fuel mixed with the motor oil and started forming the black jello until all the motor oil had turned to jello which stopped lubrication of components until something internal blew. I think it likely that, even if we were running only diesel, the fuel would have still mixed with the motor oil, eventually (although possibly farther along) thinning the oil and causing the same end result of a blown rod/piston/camshaft/etc....

Because of the price of an inframe kit ($1500-$2000), and as I have no experience rebuilding engines, I am just shopping for a completely new engine.....which leads me back to my questions about the DT408. Does anyone have any clue about these rare engines?http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/...lies/SM127.gif

[SmokeyWren]

I don't know. Way back when, International made several different DT 6-cylinder diesel engines - basically the same engines with different bore and stroke, from 360 to 560 CID. It sounds like the DT-408 and the DT-466 of the same year were almost identical.

The DT engine has also historically been available in the following variants; these have all been discontinued.

DT 530
DT 466
DT 408 (6.7L): Used mechanical fuel injection.
DT 360

Personally, I would look for a newer DT466. That will probably be a newer engine than the DT 408, with parts available, and if new enough will have electronic fuel injection instead of the old mechanical type.

[nevrenufhp]

Most parts will bolt up directly. There may be some differences in the throttle, and radiator hoses. The 408 was supposed to be a replacement for the DT360. They used the 408 from 93-95, and had leftovers for a couple years after that. It came with the holy grail of injector pumps, the Bosch P-pump. Unlike the old rotary on your 78. If it's a good price, then go for it. It should run better, cleaner, and get better mpg. You can turn up the power a little for free, which always helps, since the 408 didnt get good hp ratings. Going with an electronic (466E) would be a nightmare in an old truck, and in no way, be more reliable than that 408 would be.