I recently picked up a Cummins 12v 6bt that was in a UPS truck. It had an intercooler on it but the guy I bought it from didn't have it. I've read that 12v engines don't need an intercooler but this one had it to start with. Should I put an intercooler back on it or can I run it without? I'm very new to diesels so I apoligize if this is a stupid question.

This motor is going in a 1952 Ford F3 and will be used as a daily driver and will definitley see som towing. Not as much as the UPS truck but definitely some.

 

First of good luck on you build post lots of pics. 2 no you dont need a innercooler but it is nice to have if you are going to take the task of doing the build you are talking about go ahead and spend the extra 200$$$ or so on it.. You will be happy you did

 

An intercooler will definitely help keep EGT's a little lower, especially when towing. You don't necessarily have to have an air-to-air intercooler. If the packaging of the engine in the underhood area of your F3 doesn't allow for an intercooler around the radiator, you can always opt for an air-to-water intercooler and either run engine coolant through it, or a stand alone circulation system with a thin heat exchanger in front of the radiator. There are several guys on here and other sites that have run air-to-water with good success, so perhaps wait for them to chime in. If you're dead set on air-to-air, figure out your placement and dimensions and figure out if a stock diesel truck intercooler will work (for example, I used a '99 Powerstroke intercooler in my Fummins) or perhaps a smaller, custom routed "ricer" intercooler. It all comes down to packaging when dealing with a conversion, since nothing really came from the factory to fit that application.

Good luck with build, I'll be looking forward to seeing the finished product!

 

You dont have to run an intercooler (Im not), but it cetainly wont hurt anything if you do.

Just keep an eye on your EGT's to keep them in check.

 

Why does the intercooler keep EGT's down? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

 

Ok folks a couple of questions. Does or has anyone put a stock '92-'93 dodge air to air in a chev? If so,could I get pics? If not,which cooler was used? Thanks.

 

The cooler the air is going in the engine, the cooler it will be going out. The charger really heats up the air when it compresses it and a a good intercooler will take it to ambient temperatures or lower. Also, with the air being cooler, I believe it should let a greater volume of air enter the cylinder, completely burning more fuel. Less unburnt fuel equals lower EGT's.

 

i,am changing from air to air to water to air right now. all factory cummins parts

 

as far a the chevy question, i have a stcok 91 dodge air to air cooler in my ford, but compared to the 73-91 chevy body style, at least from what i remember from my 78, the chevrolet seems to have more room behind the grille, only thing you may have to do is cut some holes.

 

Well, it just depends on how you want it to look. I wanted the factory grill and didn't want the average person to see anything other than the stock look.

There is some boxing that has to be removed because of the width of the Dodge intercooler I was using. I wanted to have the stock hood latch and not pin the hood. So replacing the boxing with support to retain the stock hood latch was necessary. Some may say I over did it but the last thing I want is my hood popping loose at 70 mph!