Swapping to diesel?

[Overdrive]

Has anybody successfully installed a diesel in one of these trucks? Doesn't matter which engine... the more ideas, the better (GM 6.2, 6.5, Duramax, Cummins 3.9, 5.9... you get the idea).

I'm just trying to see if it would be simple enough to do, and if anybody has gone through the trouble of doing such a swap (or has any idea of how to do some of these, like a 6.2 conversion). The poor mileage from the stock smallblock (1981 305) in my '72 is making me sick.

[Russell]

Don't get a 6.2 or 6.5, you'll have a heck of a hard time trying to get it started in our harsh Canadian winters. Chevy diesels have really sucked until the Duramax (which would be a VERY sweet swap, by the way!)

I've heard of a couple people putting a Cummins in their truck, but it seems to me that the height of the motor has been a problem, who wants a mopar transmission in their truck anyways?

[1969 GMC]

Originally Posted by Russell

who wants a mopar transmission in their truck anyways?

If it was a NV4500HD or a NV5600, I don't think anyone would mind.

The Cummins 4bt is in quite a few P-series vans, there is an adapter that mates it up to the GM tranny.

[Tx Firefighter]

I believe Yukon Jack has a buddy doing a 5.9 B series Cummins in a 72 truck.

[Overdrive]

Yeah, no doubt... a friend of mine has a 6.2, and said it's hard to start... and this was at 0°C!!... Plugging it in made it all better... oh boy...

The 6.2, 6.5 would probably be more bolt-in, and cheaper, but they're my last choice really.

I wouldn't mind a 5.9 to match my '92 Dodge though. I don't really have any issues with using a Chrysler transmission

I should measure... both trucks are sitting next to each other right now.

[72 CustomCamper]

My uncle had installed a 6.2 in my 72 before he gave it to me. The biggest thing was to modify the frame towers so the exhaust would clear. The truck with a 700r and 4:11 gears got 22 mpg. I took the diesel out and went with a big block...


Chuck

[Longhorn Man]

I wouldn't consider the 6.2 or 6.5, they are pretty lame for diesel engines.

[krazy_texan]

with the way diesel prices are now i think you are nuts me and my boss just made a round trip from dallas to los angelas and back and we spend dang near 800dollars in fuel cost.

[GMC AMI]

IMO the diesel is great for running bio-diesel fuel that you can make yourself or even simpler, two fuel tanks and running canola oil. I am in the process of making my diesel International Havester tractor run on the canola oil which I can grow on my farm.
After pressing the oil from the canola seed, the crushed seed kernels that are left are mixed in to the animal feed to boast protein. A dual purpose who could ask for more.
I think most here have heard about running on french fry grease from fast food places,
nearly same process.

[LUV2XCLR8]

If This Trade I'm Working On Ever Happens, My 70 Swb For A 67 1 Ton,
That Is A Long Term Project I Had Considered Doing, Need Details.

[68C15]

if you do decide to go with a 6.5 I know how to wake these things up.
but personally I would suggest swapping in a caddy BB. my '68 472is rated with 535 ft lbs @ 2800 rpm. & from what other board members say this should get the fuel mileage up there with the diesels. then you wouldnt have all that God awefull noise or high maintenance that I see on those rattle-traps. kind of hard to beat the old-fashioned reliability.

JMHO

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by 68C15

if you do decide to go with a 6.5 I know how to wake these things up.
but personally I would suggest swapping in a caddy BB. my '68 472is rated with 535 ft lbs @ 2800 rpm. & from what other board members say this should get the fuel mileage up there with the diesels. then you wouldnt have all that God awefull noise or high maintenance that I see on those rattle-traps. kind of hard to beat the old-fashioned reliability.

JMHO

I won't argue with you about the quality of the Cadillac engine. They were the best quality engines made by GM during that era.

What I take issue with, is the high maintenance cost of diesels. Other than oil changes and air filters, there is no maintenance on a diesel.

See, both mine and my wife's daily drivers are Cummins diesel trucks. Cummins rates these engines as "average life to overhaul of 400k miles". Some fellows get over 1 million miles from a B series Cummins with no internal engine work at all (internet search will turn up plenty of documentation on that). Powerstroke or Duramax isn't quite to that level, but they far, far exceed any gasser for reliability and durability any day.

Mainly, I can't get enough of the torque. I think the lowest torque on a new diesel truck is the Powerstroke at like 570 or so. The Duramax has 605 ft/lb and the Cummins 610. A fueling box (400 bucks) will take any of them to over 800 ft/lbs simply by plugging it in.

[GMC AMI]

torque Is King!