1985 c60 diesel conversion questions please help

[Masstowingllc]

Ok I have a old 1985 c60 it now has a 1970 454 in it and a early sm465. I just had tranny serviced its mint so I want to keep tranny now I would like to do a diesel conversion I don't care if its cummins, dura max, or cat. I will use which ever is cheapest to swap and easiest since I haven't done a a engine swap in a long time I do have a some friends who I might be able to get to help but the easiest the better. I can get my hands on a duramax, and a Cummings at a decent price I might be able to trade some stuff I have for them like jet skis, go karts, motorcycle I don't use. Or I can trade same stuff for a 2, or 3 car hauler not sure at this point.but I would like to get better mileage out of this big old truck since its a ramp truck and i use it for work so I would like to get everything and assemble as much as possible out of truck so I can do a quick swap. And since I don't have a lift this will all be done on the ground with hand tools and maybe some impact guns. This is a backyard job soi need places to get parts and what parts I need to get so I can have it all ready so my truck is only down a day or a weekend! thank you for your help
Posted via Mobile Device

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I thought about a diesel swap when I found a messed up D30 with a 12V cummins, and from what I learned is that it is often cheaper to buy the whole truck. Plus in my case it maybe just as easy to swap bodies.

[Peanutbutter]

I'm sure I'll offend someone but I can't afford to run a duramax or cat, to expensive to maintain and not as reliable. They don't do anything as well as a 12 valve cummins. My 98 dodge has 340,000 miles on it and never left me walking, has hauled half a dozen loads back from the midwest weighing 28 to 30,000 with 3 axle gooseneck trailer. I have 3 6bt swaps lined up, one in my 1965 C80 tractor, one in my 1990 K 30 crewcab and one in my 1981 dual wheel K 30 and can't forget putting a 4bt in our blazer chalet. Its the only way I can afford to drive anymore. Will not be using any 24 valve, only 12 valve with rotory or P 7100 pumps, 2 will be using NV4500 5 speeds, one with big spicer 5 speed and one with 545 allison. Compare time and cost to change the injecters in 12 valve and duramax.

[ky-donzi]

Stay with the 12v like PB said... so much simpler, more reliable, and cheaper... and easy power.... as far as your tranny,,, 465 will hold up more than likely but the gear spacing is bad for a diesel... I have had two diesels infront of 465's. a 6.2, and currently a 4bt. They just dont work well with the power curve of a diesel. You are much better off with a close ratio trans that was originally behind a diesel such as a zf5, zf6, nv4500, g56, nv5600, or a med truck trans. Just my 2cents

[Masstowingllc]

Here are part numbers to do cummins swap and using the sm465 tranny

3910516 Transmission Adapter 289.96

3906803 Flywheel Reman/Used 400.00

3913056 Flywheel New 870.34

3934080 Spacer, Starter Motor 72.43

3906804 Cover, Flywheel Housing 276.11
Reman/Used

3916101 Cover, Flywheel Housing 648.34
New
Cover Flywheel Housing=Bell housing I think.

3964432NW Starter, Denso, 12V, 268.84
13T, 2.5KW
Posted via Mobile Device

[Masstowingllc]

The tranny in my truck is a medium truck tranny it's a 1985 Chevy c6000 ramp truck
Posted via Mobile Device

[Masstowingllc]

It has same tranny as a ups truck
Posted via Mobile Device
Posted via Mobile Device

[Peanutbutter]

One thing you might think about is running an allison, if you want to make it simple go buy a school bus. Its a complete package with lots of parts you can use, sell whats left for scrap, 5.9s with allison 545, sometimes 643s. I have 1995 ford f800 with 5.9 P pump and 545, if loaded lite this truck is fun to drive, fun to drive in town but not so much in hill country up or down. Getting ready to pull 5.9 and 545 from ford and put in newly aquired K 30 single wheel crewcab, 454 and 400 turbo days are over for me as far as users but I still collect big blocks and 400s because they have been so good to me in the past. This would be easier and faster swap.

[Masstowingllc]

My truck looks like a school bus lol I never see any school buses or p30 trucks anywhere I have a 454 in my truck and a sm465 tranny I would like to keep tranny and I know people have done the swap and kept this tranny so thats what I am looking to do
Posted via Mobile Device

[Peanutbutter]

Some of the bread trucks that used 4bts ran 465s or 400 turbos, watch ebay for B series bellhousing adapter and conversion flywheel. With these 2 pieces you can use your same clutch, pressure plate and chevy bellhousing, but you will have to cant your engine or trans something like 7 degrees. The only way I was able to come up with to not do this is I bought a Lakewood explosion proof bellhousing and reclock the trans on the lakewood and redrill the holes in the bellhousing, weld new nuts in side the bellhousing, that way 5.9 and trans are straight up and down. I have done this twice now, this adapter and cummins chevy flywheel are not cheap even on ebay.

[Masstowingllc]

By any chance can you find me parts numbers for those or would you be able to get me bellhousing you have drilled ir sell me yours then? I would rather pay you a little extra then to fair and be screwed and since you have done it before you know where to drill and what parts to get thank you for your help so far
Posted via Mobile Device

[Peanutbutter]

To start with I will help you spot the adapter and flywheel on ebay, vans that used the 400 turbo use the same bellhousing adapter but wih flexplate. You have to find the set that had the 465 behind it to get the flywheel, I found both my lakewoods used, I'll start looking around.

[Masstowingllc]

Awesome thank you. I am low on miney so the cheaper the better
Posted via Mobile Device

[Masstowingllc]

So woukd a nv4500 adaptor work? Or nv4500 bellhousing? I can find those
Posted via Mobile Device

[ky-donzi]

not mine.... good price


http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showth...ywheel-starter.