Height differences of like engines are accommodated by different height dog houses, the frame, etc., is the same.

 

Yes, that is true. But I was thinking if I can find a van that already has a "tall" engine in it, the conversion might be easier. Easier conversion hopefully means less $$ involved, and less pain and suffering. I have been looking at vans for the past few years and have noticed that over the course of a few months, almost any engine option in a van will show up. Transmissions are a little more troublesome because almost all full size vans I have seen have autos.

 

Mostly the height of an engine becomes a concern depending on where the suspension sits and how much travel you require. If your chosen engine and transmission don't clear the doghouse you can just mount it lower in the frame if you don't need a lot of suspension travel or don't have a diff to worry about hitting your oil pan


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Don't know that any van will be better suited for a swap than others. There have been several Fords done on the forum and you can look at those and see what problems were involved. Whether the van came with the I6 or 7.3 diesel, the engine cavity is the same. I call it a cavity, but it's really a tunnel. Not sure that height presented any more problem as width. There is only X amount of space in there and not much room for modification. There are also limits as to what intercooler can be used.

 

Exactly Char, the Ford E-Series 1999+ with the PSD are still non-intercooled like the 94.5-98 PSD F-Series trucks as there is simply no room for an intercooler in the front of the van. If one was putting a 4BT or 4BD you might be able to include an intercooler. I think the second battery on them is even in a box along the frame as there is only room for one battery on the drivers side and the conversion vans have a small battery shoehorned in on the passenger side along with all of the HVAC stuff. The engine compartment is tight on any van to say the least.