Author Topic: Diesel engine question (Read 11816 times)

firestorm13666 · « **on:** March 13, 2006, 09:04:32 pm »

I want to swap a diesel engine into the 73-87 Chevy/GMC full size truck 4X4 3/4Ton or 1Ton.I am thinking of eather the 4BT,6BT Cummins or the GM 6.2/6.5 diesels.I am looking more for power,and relabity.I want to beable to tow with this and have some off road fun as well.I asking here because there is alot of diesel knowagle and not alot of smart a** people that don't help.Thanks for any help!

wyldman · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2006, 10:49:31 pm »

A 12 Valve P pump 6BT is a good choice.You can have as much power as you wish,and it's a fairly straightforward bolt in install.

The 4BT will bolt in too,and have more fore and aft clearance,but they aren't as smooth.

zyewdall · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2006, 07:22:12 pm »

I didn't know the cummins were bolt ins for the chevy trucks. The 6.2 and 6.5 GM diesels share the bell housing pattern with the 5.7 gas, so they are bolt ins. Northboundtrain put a 6.5 in his 70's chevy pickup -- not sure if there are any posts on this forum about it, but perhaps if you PM him, he might have suggestions.

wyldman · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2006, 07:26:33 pm »

Cummins does have a bellhousing flange available for a GM trans boltpattern.

It was used on the Cummins 4BT powered bread trucks with an SM465 manual trans.You can bolt up other trannies as well.

4BT and 6BT can both use this bellhousing flange,so you can install either.

Check out www.turbodieselregister.com,and look in the conversion forum for more info.

moosiah · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2006, 01:54:16 pm »

Hi I read Diesel power magazine ( I know,,, it's a herasy and I'm v bad :oops: ) they had a artical about 6.2/6.5 gmc diesels and hopping them up.... It can be done , look for a 6.5 w a serpentine belt set, they have the best basis to start w ...... I'm not a big fan of the gm diesels, mostly from poor experiances w my dads old 82 6.2 p u ........ but they are light for a diesel v8 and can make Ok horse power w some work and they can be cheep to buy if you know just what to look for and what to RUN SCREAMING :shock: away from......... hey the US army still uses them today....... :wink:

wyldman · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2006, 02:27:31 pm »

While the GM diesels are decent in stock form,I wouldn't bother trying to hop one up.As soon as you turn up the power,they tend to come apart.

andy2 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2006, 08:22:11 pm »

I saw that article too,That engine they built was not cheap by any means,with that brand new turbo kit from banks and some rare 6.2 parts$$.You'd be better off finding a running or not 6.5td from a 92-93 truck as it got a mechanical pump and no computer.It would give you almost as much power in the stock form as the hopped up 6.2 for a fraction of the cost.As well as that the 92-93 TD's come with the serp belt setup.With 18:1 pistons+hx35 you can make some decient power from the old 6.5's and have them hold up too.

Or go with the 6bt :twisted:.

firestorm13666 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2006, 08:25:52 am »

Thanks for all the info.So what would be a better engine for my needs the 4BT or 6BT?

wyldman · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2006, 09:21:20 am »

If your going to be towing,and want the power,the 6BT is the way to go.

The 4BT can be turned up,but it will never be as smooth,or have the torque of the 6BT.

firestorm13666 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2006, 11:41:15 pm »

Any ideas of where i could find more info on the engine like wiring and if you can get a muti-fuel injection pump for it liek the US army uses.Thanks

mainer · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2006, 06:16:06 pm »

Check out www.dieseltruckresource.com for 4bt and 6bt info. You might have to make a name and post in the other section, but they are the 6bt kings. And should be able to tell you anything you need to know about the 4bt.

Coop
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Cancer - Breast Forum

firestorm13666 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2006, 09:38:43 pm »

Thanks for all the info guys.I plan on over this year geting a truck and building it up.I need a damn good work truck because when i use a truck i use like a truck and run it hard and do nto want something to brake so iam going to build one up and use the strongest parts i can get.

wyldman · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2006, 10:53:03 am »

You will nver break a 6BT,unless you do something silly with it.No need to "build" it,just leave it alone,and turn up the fuel.

You will break drivetrain parts,as these things put out so much low end power,they like to tear things up.

Patrick · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2006, 07:40:05 pm »

These guys know what they're talking about, go with the cummins. My old GMC, however , is powered by Perkins, a 354 6 banger. Lots of torque, a little low on horsepower, pulls like crazy and low fuel consumption to boot.
Rough, loud, hard to start in the cold,...........

I LIKE IT!

Most people wouldn't! lol

!Anaka · « **Reply #14 on:** March 26, 2006, 06:02:17 pm »

kewl topic guys

Author Topic: Diesel engine question (Read 11816 times)

andy2

!Anaka