Looking for a "low tech" diesel conversion for a '76 Chevy K30
 

This is a "low tech" truck that I use for hunting and ranch work, which mostly involves low speed crawling. Acceleration/speed is not a primary factor. It has an SM465 transmission, with 4.56 gears, so torque will be maximized. I am looking for something that is simple, and efficient. As long as I can get it up to 50-55 on the highway.

Of course the obvious choice is the old 6.2. I was thinking something smaller.
Any ideas?

Cummins 4BT with turbo

Maybe an old Detroit 3-71t or 4-53t. You could get them with GM bell pattern engine plates.

What do you guys think of an old perkins for this application? Any particular model i should look at it?

I don't know a whole ton about the Perkins for automotive use, but they are pretty awesome forklift motors.

How about one of those military 6.2s from a surplus dealer.They have low milage motors for like $800.

A 6.2 or early 6.5 would be the easiest an least expensive to swap in. Its pretty much pull the gasser out make some clearance on the passenger side fire wall and put the diesel in. I don't know if going with anything smaller would gain anymore fuel economy. The 4bt is a good engine but if I was going to go through changing everything to fit it in I would just go with a 6bt. The small perkins diesel are good I have had a few of them in forklifts and they have all be great but the shake quite a bit.

Thanks for the replies, folks.
I am thinking a 6.2 is the ticket.

there is a guy around where i live that swapped a 354 perkins in a 1979 ford f250. it was turbocharged and moved pretty good