Episode 1: Driving Across South Tampa With A Blown Motor
I’m Hank Johnson and this is the beginning of a questionable project. For those of you who don’t know me yet, my background is in industrial machinery, small engines, basic electricity, multimedia, and marketing.
I’ve always been passionate about learning how machines work, and over the years, I’ve taught myself something new with every car I’ve owned. Now, it’s time to swap a Mercedes OM606 into my 1995 Ford F150.
This truck has been with me since college when I bought it for $750 off a buddy. Back then, it was a rough rig and burned about quart of oil every 200 miles. It’s gone through multiple motors, a transmission rebuild, and numerous small fixes.
Despite all that, it’s still my favorite car I’ve ever owned. Friends have signed the headliner, it’s helped me move across the East Coast, and it’s set to be the getaway car at my wedding next spring. Fred the “Big Red” isn’t going anywhere and I’m determined to make this OM606 swap work.
Last year, while driving home from North Carolina, the motor started dropping oil pressure at low RPM and developed a rod knock. At that point, most people would have just replaced the bearings or thrown in another 302. But after going through three Ford 302’s in the 6 years I’ve owned it, I’ve decided to take a different route.
I’m a diesel guy at heart, I’ve got a diesel Land Cruiser Prado and I’ve become fascinated with Mercedes diesels over the past few months. When I discovered the OM606, it actually made a lot of sense! It’s reliable, efficient, can be mechanically driven, and almost the exact same weight/size as the Ford 302. I’ve seen a few scattered attempts at swaps online, but nobody has really documented the process in detail. So that’s what I’m attempting to do here.
Do I know what I'm doing? Why am I doing it?
I’ve never pulled an engine before, but have fundamental experience working on industrial air compressors and consumer generators in past jobs, but this is my first time attempting a full motor swap in any vehicle.
My first video (linked at the bottom of this page) was simply about moving the truck to its temporary home and preparing for what’s ahead. I had to nurse the truck across town with rod knock after sitting for about 10-months, using oil treatment thick as honey just to quiet it down. It started up no problem and drove across town no problem. I got it parked, pressure washed, and ready to get the engine pulled.
Why go through all this? Because I want something cool, something I haven’t seen done in detail before, and something that I can be proud of. The purpose of documenting so closely is to encourage me to keep up in a timely manner, learn in real time, help others figure out how to do this swap, and build a truck that sparks conversation.
I will make dumb decisions occasionally and am working in a backyard with limited tools, so mistakes will be included in this, so bear with me while I attempt to put in a 25-year old Mercedes diesel into my 30-year old Ford pickup.
This truck has character, memories, and exciting learning opportunities ahead. In the coming months, I’ll be sharing updates on YouTube, here and on social media as I tear down the 302, figure out motor mounts, wiring, fueling, transmission adapters, and everything in between. My hope is that this series will help me keep track of all the details, inform others, and allow me to have some fun in what will hopefully turn out to be a smooth and straightforward project.
Stay tuned for the next episode where I’ll begin the tear-down. And just know, I have no idea what I’m doing but I’m going to figure it out, and I’m excited to take you with me.
Follow the journey here and on socials:
Personal YouTube/Instagram/TikTok: @hankejohnson
Hank’s Cars and Coffee Instagram/TikTok: @hankscarsandcoffee