Hello All

[explorev]

Thank you for letting me join.  I am in the process of trying to get a 1985 F250 back on the road that has been siting for nearly 20 years.  It originally had a 6.9 diesel with a 4 speed that were removed long ago.  I have a 460 and a C6 to go in their place.  Being a part of a forum like this could be useful as I go through this process.  Thanks again for letting me join.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Welcome!
Glad you've joined.

20 years is a long time.
Be on the look out for a new (automatic) steering column and instrument cluster with shift indicator.

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, welcome!  Glad you joined.  

I'm sure you know but you'll need the 460 perches to replace the ones for the IDI.  And I don't think the IDI's crossmember is notched for the oil filter, so you'll need to add a remote oil filter.

Anyway, where's home?  I ask because we have a map (Bullnose Forum/Member's Map in the menu) and can add you with a city/state or zip.

[ArdWrknTrk]

The IDI crossmember is dented to fit the 460 oil filter adapter.

The deepest issue is that the diesel has an entirely different wiring harness, with no provision for ignition.
This is one of those rare instances where I would advocate an HEI.

[Gary Lewis]

Good!  Glad to know the IDI's crossmember is dented.  That makes it easier.

As for the wiring, the harness doesn't have the connectors for the DS-II module?  If that's the case, and I can see that it would be as there are also other electrical differences like the glow plugs, then I'd agree on the HEI suggestion.  Much easier than trying to graft in the Ford ignition.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Look in the EVTM.  
Both 'charge & power distribution' and 'start & ignition/glow plugs'  have entirely different chapters for gas or diesel....

Hopefully his 460 has a mechanical fuel pump.
Again, the diesel fuel delivery is completely different.

Edit in page links from the 1985 EVTM:

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/charge--power-distribution-gas.html

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/charge--power-distribution-diesel.html

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/start--ignition-gasoline-engines.html

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/start--glow-plug-controlrun-diesel.html

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/fuel-tank-selector--gauges-gas.html

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/electric-fuel-pump-control1.html

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/fuel-tank-selector--gauges-diesel.html

[grumpin]

Welcome!

[ArdWrknTrk]

Also, if there is any of the diesel harness left you should be using a PMGR starter on the 460 since the diesels are are already wired for one.

You will want to connect the NSS of the C6 into the starter trigger circuit. (manuals are jumpered under the dash)

I see it would be simple to repurpose the glow plug relay to power an HEI.

It's challenging for me to trace this all out on my phone, and a lot will depend on what's left of the diesel harnesses.