Wow so nicely put into words I was in shock at this post!

 

LOL, why? The title and first post pretty much sets the tone; "I'm not crazy even though everyone says I am.....". Its a joke post, right??

I mean, c'mon man!!! An 8V-71 in a Ram that is worth almost 30k on the open market with one of the best diesel engines EVER marketed? It has to be a joke.

 

This is where i stand. Powerhouse for its size? NO
Amazing engine? No
Something that is ever swapped? No

With that being said. if you want to do it go for it! and post up some pictures. i know i would love to see it! I think if it is something you would like to do then do it. it will be a pain in the @$$ but it will be a fun learning experience

 

My $0.02, well maybe $0.05 as we don't have pennies in circulation anymore

Even if the old Detroit is in good running condition for $700, I think you will be over the price of used or reman for all the adapters. Biggest issue I see is engine communication with the transmission and the rest of the computers on board. I guess you could drop a 5 speed into it, and go all mechanical gauges to get around a few of the issues, but still sounds like more work than it is worth to me. If your destined to have a screamin' jimmy in a 3rd gen Dodge, that is your call. I'd like to follow the build and see pictures.

So, cooterdude, if your still following along, I don't think your crazy. Full on adventurous, just before the crazy line!

 

Sounds like this truck needs a 12v swap. Where you from. In Philadelphia there is a 5.9 cummins block with a bad piston for 300 bucks would be good for a core.

 

ok I agree with a lot that's been said here. like Dangerous an Dutchman. I wanna see pics. Cerberus has a good point. weight/size is a major issue. I have personally seen large over the road engines in light trucks. dt466 in a ford 350. 8v71 in a old international 3/4 ton both where hack jobs. the frames had been welded over w/t plate steel to beef em up not pretty. the Detroit is a utility engine built to run long hours at steady rpms 2000-2400. that's where their power band is at its peak. great for pumps, generators, an many heavy industry's needs. not so much in the civilian sector Chevrolet tried it in the early 50s in some of the apache trucks. the 56 series engine I think. I'm a Detroit fan. in my field of work I see em most every day. def post pics but your nuts. I like it.

 

If you do not have $$ for a good engine where will you find the $ for all the adapters and labor or lost wages.

 

Wow I've spent too much time under any Detroit.On the pipeline I think I've still got oil and grease from them under my finger nails! Bad choice dude

 

Oh c'mon guys, where there's a will, there's a way.........
Where's your sense of adventure guys????
We may all be eating a healthy helping of CROW if he pulls this off.
Maybe he knows something we dont.........................then again, maybe not
Hell, I dunno....I hit my head when I fell out of bed this morning............what year is it?

 

It matters not if he pulls it off, still end up with a decent truck bastardized to the point of being useless. Adventurous is one thing, crazy is another thing entirely.

The engine is huge heavy POS that was NEVER a decent engine to begin with, there is a REASON Detroit doesn't make them anymore.