Ford 3500 Diesel engine in a 4400?

[City Farmer]

Hi all, the (gas) engine in my 4400 is smoked. I can spin the flywheel with no problem by hand. I was going to rebuild it but now I have a line on a low hr 3500 Diesel engine. Both are 3 cylinder with the same front end. Other than the loss of some HP, does anyone see a problem with the swap? It seems straight forward but it doesn't hurt to ask. Does anyone recommend some additional service to the engine before the install? For the most part, this machine will be only used for loader and back blade work.

 

[zombie]

I personally drop rods and mains to check out bearings before I throw a used engine in and replace all the gaskets I can get to without pulling the head. About the only gasket I leave is the head gasket. Keep in mind, I'm just talking from general diesel service, i'm not a tractor guy.

 

[Soundguy]

All the 3 cyls swap. I would probably keep the flywheel paired to the tranny

 

[RickB]

All the 3 cyls swap. I would probably keep the flywheel paired to the tranny

But swap out the gas ring gear on the retained flywheel for a diesel ring gear. Add a fuel return fitting to your fuel tank filler neck. Iuld some intake plumbing and modify the battery tray to accept a battery from a Ford 7.3 Power stroke.

 

[RickB]

All the 3 cyls swap. I would probably keep the flywheel paired to the tranny

But swap out the gas ring gear on the retained flywheel for a diesel ring gear. Add a fuel return fitting to your fuel tank filler neck. Build some intake plumbing and modify the battery tray to accept a battery from a Ford 7.3 Power stroke.

 

[City Farmer]

Zombie: that's a good idea but I'm not sure I'll be doing the rod bearings. I'm pretty sure I'll be getting the front end too so I'm just going to swap everything.

Rick: I would've forgot the return fuel line and didn't know I had to modify the intake plumbing and battery tray. I was looking at the ring gear too and for $40, it's being replaced.

Sound guy: I'll keep the flywheel from the 4400, its about 125lbs and 3x bigger than the one on the 3500. I'm hoping the clutch from this 3500 will fit my 3000. He broke the input shaft on the trans, that's the reason hes parting it out.

Thanks guy, You've helped me a lot. I'll come back with pictures and update this thread in a week or so.

 

[Soundguy]

yep, i totaly missed he was swapping a diesel from a gasser.

 

[Soundguy]

the intake plumbing will just be routing air from the breather.

battery tray is a size issue. many of the diesels used a tray made for a 4dlt.

 

[City Farmer]

I went to Toledo for the new engine and front axle yesterday. I ended up getting the nose cone, air box and a bunch of other parts. Everything seems straight forward and I'm expecting the install to go smooth. I'm hoping to fire it up sometime in the next couple weeks.

 

[zombie]

Holy crap. You stole the front of my tractor! Same axle even. I'm working on an alternative power steering filter for those. I'll have it done by next week.