olduglyihc wrote:That said, can we get back to the original post questions?
Well, you were going on about why you needed to change to a diesel, and we addressed that. If in fact you question is: I am going to put a 7.3 in my truck (regardless of reason) has anybody done that? It should have been stated as such.
I doubt anyone here has 1st hand experience on that exact swap. Nikki had done one on an earlier model and I have a fair bit with the engine in general.
1st thing to address is if the current drivetrain will bolt up to the engine? From what I remember Ford uses a small adaptor between the engine and the bell they use. I don't think the 7.3 block bolt pattern is identical to the 392, so that will need to be verified and dealt with.
A 7.3 is bigger and heavier then the engine it will replace, and from what I remember of the engine bay of 70's light line, there isn't a whole lot to spare.
Hooking up the ancillaries is going to be the least of you problems, and if you are uncomfortable attacking that, I would caution that getting the engine in, and serviceable is a bigger job.
Since you are talking about a mechanical 7.3 not a DI powerstroke, then all that is required is a little engineering of linkages.
The 444 was used in a lot of medium trucks by IHC, so finding a bell that would mate to the current trans might not be that hard, but adapting to the chassie is going to take some work. Clutch linkage comes to mind here.
Most medium and heavy engines are supported at the front and at the rear bell and not from the side like most light engines are. At some point IHC used side mounts on the SV series, I don't remember if the model year you have is one of them. If so it may require adapting the Ford mounts to the frame. The IHC bell will likely be set-up for crossmember mount at the bell.
I have to admit I am a bit confused as you say this is your primary tow and hauling vehicle and later you say you are going to pull the dual rears as you are not towing? Which is it?
All in all it is going to take a lot of work, a lot of fabrication, and a lot of searching to find parts that will mate together.
Only you can decide if it is worth the work, time and money. You can buy a lot of gas for what it is going to cost.