diesel engine swap advice

[chiro22]

Looks like it's time for a new engine in my 1973 Cheyenne. It had a Chevy 350 crate and the cost to rebuild would be comparable to buying a new one.

It got me thinking...and I haven't done much research yet, but if I'm getting a new engine, what about a Diesel? My truck is fairly stock, automatic. I'm sure this is a long complex answer, but just wanted to get a sense of what's possible.

Which Diesel engines would you recommend that aren't too expensive (budget is about 2k) that would be a fairly simple bolt in? would I need to change out my transmission or could I add some type of conversion kit? and what am I absolutely overlooking?

Thanks.

[Chevy_mud_truck]

Probably a 12 valve cummins will be you best and easiest to swap depends on what transmission you have and what type of driving your going to do with it have you checked out the diesel section on here

[chiro22]

Originally Posted by Chevy_mud_truck

Probably a 12 valve cummins will be you best and easiest to swap depends on what transmission you have and what type of driving your going to do with it have you checked out the diesel section on here

This is a weekend warrior, hunting, fishing, camping truck. Some off roading to get out to where I'm camping/hunting and all that.

The Transmission is a stock TH350.

[Dieselwrencher]

For $2k you might be able to do it with a 12v Cummins if you can find a cheap donor truck that runs and drives. It can be a bolt in deal but you will have to spend some money to buy mounts and a cross member and there will be some fab/tinkering to go a long with it. But, for $2k, you would probably be in the 6.2/6.5 GM market. That is more of a bolt in and there should be plenty out there being sold off from military bases.

[chiro22]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

For $2k you might be able to do it with a 12v Cummins if you can find a cheap donor truck that runs and drives. It can be a bolt in deal but you will have to spend some money to buy mounts and a cross member and there will be some fab/tinkering to go a long with it. But, for $2k, you would probably be in the 6.2/6.5 GM market. That is more of a bolt in and there should be plenty out there being sold off from military bases.

That's awesome! What would be the next step up from the 6.2/6.5?

[Dieselwrencher]

Originally Posted by chiro22

That's awesome! What would be the next step up from the 6.2/6.5?

Find a money tree. Because the next step up in the GM diesel line is a Duramax. I haven't seen many cheap ones of them lately.

[Zach079xxx]

Good luck finding a diesel with your budget. If I would've known that I would've done a diesel instead of my 350 build. I would LOVE to have a dmax in my square dang money!

[dragnframe]

With that budget, grab a 6.2 or 6.5. They can be found for cheap out of old RV's and grummans, p30's. obviously regular trucks also. A gm3 Turbo can easily be added and for around $400-500 if it not on there already. Here's a list of stuff you'll need.
1. primary fuel filter added along frame.
2. recommend new fuel lines
3. throttle and kick down cables
4. 2 fresh batteries
5. make a glow plug harness

Most important thing is getting the air out of the fuel lines.

[chiro22]

Originally Posted by dragnframe

With that budget, grab a 6.2 or 6.5. They can be found for cheap out of old RV's and grummans, p30's. obviously regular trucks also. A gm3 Turbo can easily be added and for around $400-500 if it not on there already. Here's a list of stuff you'll need.
1. primary fuel filter added along frame.
2. recommend new fuel lines
3. throttle and kick down cables
4. 2 fresh batteries
5. make a glow plug harness

Most important thing is getting the air out of the fuel lines.

Right on!!! Thank you.

[donthekawguy]

I'm picking up a 83 3/4 diesel tomorrow and was just reading up on a build that a diesel magazine did. They recommend getting a 6.2 from a 88 or newer. They say if it has the serpentine drive on it get. the earlier 6.2 are a good motor but cost more to build up.