Gettin into Diesels.. So why not a 5.9?
 

Got a line on some engines and a couple of old Caddys and want to do a conversion to say a late 40's or early to mid 50's

ANY help with dimensions, weights, and most of all what's the best auto tranny? AND things like links to similar builds and such.

I really don't expect to be hauling over 5000lbs and really want a cruiser that I can make BIO-diesel for so ALL I have to pay is tags and insurance and maybe 1.20 a gallon. And if I can make only 200gal/month, I'd be having lots of fun.

thanks E

A 5.9 is around 1000lb wet. The better of your trans would of been the older 47's. have you thought of the 4bts behind a Chevy trans. What are you looking to spend?

and maintenance and trying to keep your car rolling... No conversion ever is this easy... lol I like the idea though...

:hellox::hellox:

Welcome to the site

I've done a couple swaps over the decades. One of the 5.9's will hopefully be going into my M715 army jeep, and the other will be in the Caddy. I'm embarking on dropping a LT1 into a '98 BMW 328i vert (because I don't have the funds for the LS swaps and I have 3-LT1's anywho) And have a 77 Hornet awaiting a turbo'd RWD mitsubishi engine to a Toyota supra trans going out to a Conquest IRS out back
BUT I'm kinda having nightmares already of the wiring fo the BMW and having to fab my own headers.. (the LS conversion headers are upwards of 1600/pr or more.) I might just use a 'stand alone' harness and just let it fly from there. Heck, I really don't need a speedo,(and the rest of their crazy instumentation for that matter) I've been driving machinery since I was 6 and kinda know what rpm sounds like at the given speed limit.

Check out some of the swaps in Bimmerforums.com | The Ultimate BMW ForumBimmerforums.com | The Ultimate BMW Forum under engine conversions. Some of these guys are just amazing!!
Or Youtube by searching LS BMW, or the like.

Yeah, I looked into a 4bt and since Memphis is LOADED with trucks of all kinds, you would think that they're all over.. Well there are a few and almost double the price of a 6bt. And if it came from a box van/delivery truck, it most likely will have to be rebuilt. So add rebuild costs to the initial price of said engine, throw in the correct adapter/trans, and it quickly outweighs the sensibility of the swap in the first place.:humm:
The 6.5 would seem the cheapest, but not too reliable and low powered from what I read..

The plus is that it really doesn't get too terribly cold here in the midsouth and have heard that making a heater using the header/exhaust to pre-heat the WVO (waste veggie oil) works well.

The main focus was to utilize a 5.9 (if i have enough hood clearance and dimensions, overdrive auto trans, and utilizing lots of sound deadening material where I can.

The big ol raised hood ended after '57, then started to flatten out as the years went by.
That's why I was asking of the dimensions (roughly adding an inch or so for good measure. NOT "just the end of water pump pulley to bell housing)
The grills are usually about a foot behind the bumper, so I can move radiators/condensers further forward to work.
The front will be riding on air bags (BIG ones) to help out. I would think that the oil pan can be fabb'd and sump relocated as needed.

BUT, untill I actually GET a Coupe DeVill that I like (or can afford..) and start measuring and weighing everything I really won't know. BUT those ol caddy motors and early trannys were cast, so it probably won't be over 2-300lbs difference. (the gas tank should already be large enough.
Take a look at this:


E