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vacuumbed's avatar
vacuumbed
Explorer
Oct 10, 2013

I'm going to do a 6.0 PSD engine swap!!!

It's been about a year and a half since I sold my 2005 E450 that I bought new. I miss my van.

Since then, I bought a 1997 Ford E350 Airstream B190. I like it because it reminds me of the 2005 that I used to own. It is however, a gasser. I hinted about swapping a 6.0 PSD in to this van. I wasn't kidding. Member carringB helped me locate the companies that sell retired E450 ambulances. These cutaway vans make a great donor as they have the 6.0, and they are loaded with power options. I will be moving the front clip, dash, front doors ans well as the drivetrain over to my 1997 van.


Well, I just pulled the trigger on a 2008 E450, got it for $1,000! It's super clean. I will post pics soon. It will make a great donor vehicle, it has the newer front clip.

There's just a slight problem. The 6.0 PSD is seized up. :E

It's probably hydro locked from a failed EGR cooler, and the engine is going to come out anyway. I'm excited to get started on this!
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  • vacuumbed's avatar
    vacuumbed
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    transamz9 wrote:
    vacuumbed wrote:
    That is a possibility, but I won't know what I will need until I tear in to it.


    That will be a cool build. How are going to do the instrument cluster? A lot of the 6.0 engine controls go through the instrument cluster. Are you going to start a build thread?


    I will start a new thread on the build. I may need one on the most active 6.0 site with Ford techs that I can find. This is going to be the most complicated swap that I will try to undertake. The instrument cluster for the 6.0 has a digital readout for the miles, while the one for the 97 van is analog. This is going to involve wiring harnesses.

    The most complicated engine swap that I have done thus far was installing a 4.0 V6 from a 1991 Ford Explorer in to a 1989 Bronco II. I had to do the ECM and engine wiring harnesses as well. This was 20 years ago.
  • colliehauler's avatar
    colliehauler
    Explorer III
    Oct 11, 2013
    If it's gone to the point of being seized the motor is more then likely trashed.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Oct 11, 2013
    And why are you getting rid of the V10 again? You're gonna have big $$$ in this by the time you get a good 6.0 and bulletproof it. But sounds cool nonetheless, it's not always about the cost.

    I'll throw this out there FWIW...if you're gonna do all that work think about doing a 4WD conversion too....wouldn't be that much more work if you;re that far into the front clip etc.

    A 4WD diesel Airstream B would be an AWESOME RV!!!
  • vacuumbed's avatar
    vacuumbed
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    A 4x4 Airstream would be cool, but for my needs 2WD will be fine. I think this conversion is going to be tough enough as it is.
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    ScottG wrote:
    Probably a good idea to get a second one at that price.
    Your going to need parts.


    :B
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Oct 11, 2013
    vacuumbed wrote:
    A 4x4 Airstream would be cool, but for my needs 2WD will be fine.


    If you gonna use that "for my needs" logic, the V-10 would be fine.....
  • Hank85713's avatar
    Hank85713
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    I test drove a couple of B+ with the 6.0. One was kinda doggy, but i think it was due to the original owner not being real careful on his maintenance. The 2d was a good runner and I would have loved to get the setup. Both checked out well with a scan gauge and both got approx 11mpg per the documents in the rv. 2d rv was in terrible shape as the owner evidently lived in it and didn't take care and never cleaned prior to giving to consignment lot and they did not clean either.

    Long story short bought a 2012 with the V10, still wish we could have found a diesel! Let folks talk about the engine, they are good but you cannot be a slacker to own one either.
  • shooker99's avatar
    shooker99
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    My bother-in-law has a 6.0 Around this part of the country a 6.0 is nothing but high priced trouble. Good luck! Hope it works for you. Paul
  • vacuumbed's avatar
    vacuumbed
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    Hank85713 wrote:
    I test drove a couple of B+ with the 6.0. One was kinda doggy, but i think it was due to the original owner not being real careful on his maintenance. The 2d was a good runner and I would have loved to get the setup. Both checked out well with a scan gauge and both got approx 11mpg per the documents in the rv. 2d rv was in terrible shape as the owner evidently lived in it and didn't take care and never cleaned prior to giving to consignment lot and they did not clean either.

    Long story short bought a 2012 with the V10, still wish we could have found a diesel! Let folks talk about the engine, they are good but you cannot be a slacker to own one either.

    What mileage do you get from your V10?
  • vacuumbed's avatar
    vacuumbed
    Explorer
    Oct 11, 2013
    Here is a picture of my 1997 E350 and the 2008 E450 donor vehicle. I am in the process of purchasing the E450.



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