I have a 86 GMC 3+3 duelly that I have saved from an early grave and it is time to trade up the running gear to be finished. I think it may have been diesel when it was new but it is long gone and replaced by a 350/granny 4 speed. I was semi-happy with that power plant as I didn't plan to go on long trips just local hauling and pull our drag car to the strip. Now before I get a lashing or worse. I now know I want to make black smoke and hear a large turbo spool up.
Now to the good part. I have been researching diesel engines for a few months now and also joined this great site. At first I just wanted to find a mid 90's 6.5T but in all I have read they are looked down on by most.
So here is my idea. I want to swap in something a little different that most and would like some input on a swap to something like a Dt360/Dt466, 6v53t, 6.6 ford or others from a med/heavy duty type trucks or OTR trucks/tractors.
My plan is to use a 7/8/9 speed gearbox or possibly a HD allison auto if the donor truck/engine comes with it.

OK thanks for reading my post and please keep the "your an idiot" to a min as I allready know this.
Thanks for any input.
Jason
Kelso Tn

 

Personally I think it would be pretty sweet to see a DT466 in an old 3+3 chevy. I kinda always wanted to do either a newer Dmax or swap my 12v ctd into one.

 

x2

Or...a screamin' D (Detroit) would be sweet too, like a 6v53 or a 6-71.

Or...if you want to go a slightly different Cummins route, a 6CT 8.3.

 

Ok Jason, here are my thoughts. The engines you have listed are heavy!!! I'm not saying it cant be done. It would be a LOT of work. What I am gathering from your post that you want a regular duty vehicle. My choices would be as follows: If you want a Detroit use a 4-53 turbo. If you want something that might be more unusual, I would look for a 6 cylinder Perkins or a 5 or 6 cylinder Deutz. There were several factory applications for these engines in the late 70's.I'm going through the same process as you are. My son wants a 6BT Cummins, and I want a 4-53 turbo. But I'm looking at a lot of options. I just don't want to see you put a lot of moneyand time into a project only to find that something won't work because of weight or length. Doing your homework will get you a lot of valuable information. Just my $0.02.

 

A 6-71 won't even be close to fitting...under the hood anyway. It'll fit in thebed though.

 

I hate to, but I'm going to have to beg to differ... If I recall correctly, a doghouse/dash out of a "medium duty" version of the afformentioned cab style along with a body lift and some creativity with the fan/cooling setup and a LOT of crossmember hacking can get one fairly close to fitting. I believe there was a guy on one of the diesel forums I used to cruise that did just that (might have been a DT466 though...it's been a while), but I don't remember if he used the "medium duty" flip hood too or not.

I was just reaching for the stars...

And as mentioned before; if you are putting something in that is heavier than the stock applications (and therefore specs of everything supporting that weight), then please be sure to make the mods needed to RELIABLY rumble that chosen weight up and down the road. There's a reason they put heavy duty axles and suspension beneath diesels...

 

No hard feelings. Differ all you want...this is all theoretical anyway. I guess "fit" is a relative word. When I put a 4-71 in my crew cab, I had to cut the firewall. I've got about 10 inches of motor and bellhousing that stick back into the cab. I suppose, if you can fit another foot and a half of motor between the front two seats, it'll "fit". Also, as a 2wd, the front crossmember locates the suspension. I've got 4 inches of lift and a 3 inch body lift on mine. The motor is 36 inches tall. I'll need another 4 inches of suspension lift since I've only got about 3 inches of travel until my front axle hits the oil pan and the hood still doesn't close.

The medium duty cab is totally different with a flat floor. I've never seen a crew cab version of the medium duty cab (I've seen crew cabs on medium duty chassis), though I suppose they're out there. It definitely would not have worked in my situation.


Seems that everyone remembers a 6-71 in a light duty pickup, but out of all the conversions I've seen, I've never seen a 6-71. Plenty of 3-53s, 4-53s, 6V-53, and a couple 3 and 4-71s, but never a 6-71. I've got pictures of an old suburban with a 6V71 or 6V-92 in it. The body is on a medium duty chassis and the front fender have been extended 10-12 inches to accommodate the motor, so I guess it "fits".

 

Personally I think it would be pretty sweet to see a DT466 in an old 3+3 chevy. I kinda always wanted to do either a newer Dmax or swap my 12v ctd into one.


I love me sum 2 strokes and the 4-53t is probally the best way to go that route. The DT466 would be sweet and I know where I can get a 78 IH that I can drive home for $1500 but after some research may be alittle bit big. I don't mind some cutting but we welded to many patch panels to go hacking now. That said it would be nice to have the engine bay full. thanks for the posts
Jason

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Thanks.... your input worth every cent. I have really just gotten started in my search. I know there are other diesel engines out there but I need to get up to speed on them so when i search the classifieds out there I can search for them to. good luck with your project too.
Jason

 

Weel, muh sister's cousin's brother-in-law's ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend had one, and by-golly it fit in der like a Coor's can in a new coozie and had more den nuff pow'r to tote their trailer back down to da river aft'r da flood...

My bad, I forgot just how big the 6-71 is...

 

Here's a spec sheet for the big 3. Detroit, Cummins and Cat. That should get you a start. Diesel Engine Specs