The 1987 Ford E350 6.9 Diesel Motorhome is back home

Good ole reliable is back home for another summer of fun in the sun =D

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• cold
• start
• old
• ford
• econoline
• 350
• 6.9
• IDI
• diesel
• low
• batteries
• fire-up
• up
• classic
• RV

[ford9572]

@IDIDieselJohn Do you think it would be at all possible to swap out the 460 gas V8 engine in a 1977 27 foot E-350 motorhome for a naturally aspirated 6.9 to 7.3 IDI diesel? If so, Would we have to put in a heavier duty rear axle? Or could we get by with the stock one? Would the C6 transmission have to be strengthened somewhat? Or could we leave it stock? Also, How would the glow plug system need to be set up? I'm just curious about this.

[IDIDieselJohn]

All E350's all had the same rear axle, Dana 70 so that's fine. You will need a Diesel specific C6 as the bell housing is different, other than that, the transmission is also the same. And you would need a Diesel van (83-91) engine cross member, and it will be a direct bolt in, and motor mounts. If you find an engine, the glow plug system should be on it. 87+ system is much better than previous years. Or you can set it up with manual push button glow plugs.

[tylerwscott]

I have the same motorhome only with a 460 big block gas.. Gosh its slow, you have to put the gas to the floor every time you take of and you get around 8mpg.. is the Diesel version any better?

[IDIDieselJohn]

Your 460 probably needs a good complete tune up! The 460 is alot faster than the diesels. These years 460's had 240HP and this 6.9L (420ci) non turbo diesel has 170HP. This diesel does have a complete new tune up and runs fantastic! To take off from a dead stop and keep up with regular traffic, it needs at least 3/4 throttle.

[macbookpro57]

what company actually made the motorhome itself? not the engine

[IDIDieselJohn]

Corsair.

[ford9572]

@jman4208, IMO I think Holiday Rambler made the best '80s RVs, I have a buddy who has an '82 that he bought new and he's never had any major problems with it, So I think Holiday Rambler would be the best '80s RV to get.

[jman4208]

jayco sunseeker chateu winnebago which one is best and what yr but i really like 80's rvs

[ford9572]

We had a 1977 27 foot E-350 RV with a 460 big block that we put Hooker headers on as well as dual 3 inch chrome pipes, Had an AWESOME NASCAR like sound to it, We could do 58 mph going up a steep mountain grade!!

[shreddintheaxe]

every rv from ford is great, but this is the best 1 i've ever seen

[jmac5058]

Once you get going climbing hills is what a diesel does best,and gets close to twice the fuel economy as a 460.Gotta love those Indirect inductions,being fast is not why.

[NowLifeStarts]

Must be fun going up hills in that thing.