Run away from a 6.0 as fast as your legs will carry you. I've always heard anecdotal evidence of how problematic the 6.0's were. That is until I hired a new salesman. He's got a 6.0 that's on its 4th turbo, 2 headgaskets and now some electrical gremlins. He's got an 8.5' plow on it and has some accounts but no towing or heavy hauling with any regularity. It has all been warranty work but a PITA nonetheless and it spends a lot of time at the dealer. Ford has already offered to buy it back and he figures at this point he'll drive it until the warranty is done then take their money and run to an older model 7.3. Our company truck came just in time for him.

A 617 might very well be your best bet and there are a number of conversions living here on this site that can give you a good idea of what's involved.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Put a Cummins 4BTA and a New Venture 4500 5 speed in there. More power and torque than a 460, it can be made to make as much power as the 7.3 FlowerPoke and you will have mileage in the low 20's.

Parts are everywhere for these engines. The only downside is the initial cost of the engine. You will have to do some digging to find one. Isuzu makes one that would be a viable swap too.

I would think that with any of the FlowerPoke's you will run into serious steering linkage problems. And probably some others. Not to mention you will have to deal with fuel injector, water pump and glow problems on a regular basis.

Here is a place to check out if you are interested:

http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/index.php

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

http://www.bosch-motorsport.com/content/language2/html/3690.htm