It looks like my son is getting a 49 chev pick up for free in a trade, what woiuld be a good fit for this?

 

What's the budget? That'll be a big determining factor. The cheap way to go would be to buy a rusty old turbodiesel Benz and recycle the running gear. Personally, I'd be more inclined to go with Chevy parts for a 5 spd transmission back to the wheels and hook it up to a Benz TD engine with an adapter - that would make for a very driveable setup. A 6.2/6.5 would be ok, but with that old of a truck I wouldn't try to make a tow-beast out of it. The Cummins 4BT would be great, but it's not the cheapest approach to take - if the budget can handle it, great.

 

there is a guy near me running a 4BT in a 36 chevy. that is awsome....

 

Budget is limited, I thought I read somewhere where an s10 4x4 long w.b., chassis fits these old tubs wheel wells pretty good,.Is there an adapter for a merced eng to an s10 auto trans,,lets say, that might work?

 

i was wrong its a 39 and actually its for sale here it the link...

1939 chevy pickupm rat rod diesel 4bt cummins

 

You know it only takes like 3 wires to hook up a 4bt Cummins . . .

 

I actually had my 5.9 12 valve runnin in my ford with absolutely NO wires hooked up

Well except the starter. but that doesnt count .