1966 C10 Diesel Conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

hotrod101786 · 11-09-2010, 01:42 PM

Got this truck for $800 about 2 months ago. It's lowered, 350/350 with 373 gears. Interior is red with big metallic flakes, reminds me of an old 70's fair ride or somethin

gives me a headache. Been thinking of which way to go with it and finally decided i want to do a diesel conversion so i can put an SVO(straight vegetable oil) system on it. Got a guy in Tulsa that's going to do a short bed conversion for $1k. im gonna leave it the way its sitting but put some 20's or 22's on it, not sure what finish/color on the wheels tho but if i go chrome im gonna want to chrome the grill and front bumper. Not sure of what color to paint exterior but interior is gonna be gunmetal grey and black. Gonna be lookin for a diesel from an 80's model chevy, dont have enough $ for something newer.

**Dieselwrencher** · 11-09-2010, 04:50 PM

Looks like a solid start for your project!

hotrod101786 · 11-09-2010, 08:14 PM

thanks. i actually hav zero experience with diesels. i was wondering if there were any threads that had info on doing a swap like this? i tried to look around but couldnt find anything.
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66BowTieBoy · 11-11-2010, 09:03 PM

Hey Hot Rod, Welcome to the group...

Saw a photo of a Cummins Diesel out of a Dodge Ram in a C10 and it fit real good.
I'd like some more info about your guy in Tulsa who does a short conversion...

Truck looks good. What ya go'na do with the engine that's in it now..?

fryer1979 · 11-11-2010, 09:14 PM

Interesting build idea. Anxious to see how it all comes together. Looks like you've got a good starting point though.

**Dieselwrencher** · 11-12-2010, 12:59 AM

If you're wanting to do a 6.2 or 6.5, it should be pretty easy. Well, easier than a cummins or anything else. A 6.2/6.5 will bolt in place of the SBC, and that is half of the battle right there. It will also bolt up to a SBC TH350/Th400?700R4. Just be sure to try to find a diesel torque converter for what ever transmission you use. Or get one for a MT545 Allison like in the C60's with tall decks.(For a TH350/Th400 Not for the 700R-4)

66-PMD-GMC · 11-12-2010, 10:05 AM

You can also get an NV4500 from a 90's chevy and use the 5 speed OD to help with cruze speed...

hotrod101786 · 11-12-2010, 05:29 PM

thanks for the help guys. im trying to go towards a pro touring look. i was never really into biodiesel or svo untill the bp oil spill. my mom lives by pensacola and i go down there often and it just pissed me off how it affected the area. i almost got a diesel vw rabbit to do an svo conversion on but i wanted somethin different. somethin that could show that older american classics can be "green", and not just by throwing a newer fuel efficient engine in. ive seen alot of guys putting diesels in older cars but ive only seen a few actually do it for the capability of using alternative fuels. im gonna start with the interior then get my shortbed conversion done, then start on the body work and throw some nice wheels on it and roll around in primer till i get the diesel conversion done.

hotrod101786 · 11-12-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66BowTieBoy

Hey Hot Rod, Welcome to the group...

Saw a photo of a Cummins Diesel out of a Dodge Ram in a C10 and it fit real good.
I'd like some more info about your guy in Tulsa who does a short conversion...

Truck looks good. What ya go'na do with the engine that's in it now..?

i sent a pm bout the guy in tulsa. and its gonna be awhile b4 i can even get a donor truck for the diesel so i havent even thought bout what im gonna do with the 350.

66BowTieBoy · 11-18-2010, 10:55 PM

Thanks for the info, and send me the Tulsa phone number...!

hotrod101786 · 11-22-2010, 09:41 AM

pm sent

longhorn396 · 11-22-2010, 09:55 AM

Yea bp messed stuff up pretty bad. its cool that ur willing to try and help the environment after something like that

gtbrain · 11-22-2010, 10:02 AM

Nice looking project.

Not that it matters, but I had an 84 chevy with the 6.2. It took many years after to even consider a diesel again. My experience with the 6.2 was not a good one. Underpowered and every time the hood came open it was $400 in some kind of repair.

jimmydean · 11-22-2010, 01:34 PM

I started a 6.2 conversion a few years ago and decided to scrap it. IMP the 6.2/6.5 were too hit and miss. Some people went 300K without an issue, some couldn't make it around the block.

My new project will eventually get swapped for a 4BT running biodiesel. I ran pump B99 in my 2000 F350 last year and loved it. The 4BT is a solid engine and the swap isn't too bad since you can find them with GM transmissions.

That is a hell of a nice truck for $800. I paid $1000 for mine and barely got it home.

hotrod101786 · 11-22-2010, 04:10 PM

thanks guys. well i traded a 4 wheeler that i had 500 in but worth bout 1500. and 300 cash. he was askin 2000. but sadly i must say that im sellin the truck, got a killer deal on an 87 mustang 5.0 with t tops.
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11-09-2010, 01:42 PM	#1
hotrod101786 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 6	1966 C10 Diesel Conversion Got this truck for $800 about 2 months ago. It's lowered, 350/350 with 373 gears. Interior is red with big metallic flakes, reminds me of an old 70's fair ride or somethin gives me a headache. Been thinking of which way to go with it and finally decided i want to do a diesel conversion so i can put an SVO(straight vegetable oil) system on it. Got a guy in Tulsa that's going to do a short bed conversion for $1k. im gonna leave it the way its sitting but put some 20's or 22's on it, not sure what finish/color on the wheels tho but if i go chrome im gonna want to chrome the grill and front bumper. Not sure of what color to paint exterior but interior is gonna be gunmetal grey and black. Gonna be lookin for a diesel from an 80's model chevy, dont have enough $ for something newer. Attached Images

11-09-2010, 04:50 PM	#2
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,143	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion Looks like a solid start for your project! __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

11-09-2010, 08:14 PM	#3
hotrod101786 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 6	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion thanks. i actually hav zero experience with diesels. i was wondering if there were any threads that had info on doing a swap like this? i tried to look around but couldnt find anything. Posted via Mobile Device

11-11-2010, 09:03 PM	#4
66BowTieBoy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Hill Country of Texas Posts: 64	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion Hey Hot Rod, Welcome to the group... Saw a photo of a Cummins Diesel out of a Dodge Ram in a C10 and it fit real good. I'd like some more info about your guy in Tulsa who does a short conversion... Truck looks good. What ya go'na do with the engine that's in it now..? __________________ HAPPINESS IS A COLD BEER, A SATELLITE DISH & QUALITY TIME WITH MY DOG....!

11-11-2010, 09:14 PM	#5
fryer1979 Redneck Hillbilly Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Backwoods Posts: 1,307	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion Interesting build idea. Anxious to see how it all comes together. Looks like you've got a good starting point though.

11-12-2010, 12:59 AM	#6
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,143	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion If you're wanting to do a 6.2 or 6.5, it should be pretty easy. Well, easier than a cummins or anything else. A 6.2/6.5 will bolt in place of the SBC, and that is half of the battle right there. It will also bolt up to a SBC TH350/Th400?700R4. Just be sure to try to find a diesel torque converter for what ever transmission you use. Or get one for a MT545 Allison like in the C60's with tall decks.(For a TH350/Th400 Not for the 700R-4) __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

11-12-2010, 10:05 AM	#7
66-PMD-GMC The 60-66 GMC/Pontiac guy.... Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Apache Junction, Arizona Posts: 1,306	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion You can also get an NV4500 from a 90's chevy and use the 5 speed OD to help with cruze speed... __________________ Building Genuine Pontiac Firepowered cars and trucks for several decades. Why Pontiac?? That's just me daring to be different. Projects.. 63 C10 Short Wheel Base fleetside (The Pro-Street) currently under reconstruction. 440CID 2X4 Pontiac

11-12-2010, 05:29 PM	#8
hotrod101786 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 6	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion thanks for the help guys. im trying to go towards a pro touring look. i was never really into biodiesel or svo untill the bp oil spill. my mom lives by pensacola and i go down there often and it just pissed me off how it affected the area. i almost got a diesel vw rabbit to do an svo conversion on but i wanted somethin different. somethin that could show that older american classics can be "green", and not just by throwing a newer fuel efficient engine in. ive seen alot of guys putting diesels in older cars but ive only seen a few actually do it for the capability of using alternative fuels. im gonna start with the interior then get my shortbed conversion done, then start on the body work and throw some nice wheels on it and roll around in primer till i get the diesel conversion done. Last edited by hotrod101786; 11-12-2010 at 05:33 PM.

11-18-2010, 10:55 PM	#10
66BowTieBoy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Hill Country of Texas Posts: 64	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion Thanks for the info, and send me the Tulsa phone number...! __________________ HAPPINESS IS A COLD BEER, A SATELLITE DISH & QUALITY TIME WITH MY DOG....!

11-22-2010, 09:41 AM	#11
hotrod101786 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 6	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion pm sent Last edited by hotrod101786; 11-22-2010 at 09:42 AM.

11-22-2010, 09:55 AM	#12
longhorn396 S.D.M.F. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Westport, In Posts: 639	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion Yea bp messed stuff up pretty bad. its cool that ur willing to try and help the environment after something like that __________________ 1969 Chevy Longhorn 396/400 3/4 ton. 1991 Chevy Camaro RS 305/700r4 1978 Honda XL175 and XL350(the evil twin) 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14r drag bike-best e.t. 9.4@145 mph without nitrous 1971 BSA Thunderbolt 650cc Last edited by longhorn396; 11-22-2010 at 09:56 AM.

11-22-2010, 10:02 AM	#13
gtbrain Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: bismarck North Dakota Posts: 51	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion Nice looking project. Not that it matters, but I had an 84 chevy with the 6.2. It took many years after to even consider a diesel again. My experience with the 6.2 was not a good one. Underpowered and every time the hood came open it was $400 in some kind of repair.

11-22-2010, 01:34 PM	#14
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion I started a 6.2 conversion a few years ago and decided to scrap it. IMP the 6.2/6.5 were too hit and miss. Some people went 300K without an issue, some couldn't make it around the block. My new project will eventually get swapped for a 4BT running biodiesel. I ran pump B99 in my 2000 F350 last year and loved it. The 4BT is a solid engine and the swap isn't too bad since you can find them with GM transmissions. That is a hell of a nice truck for $800. I paid $1000 for mine and barely got it home. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

11-22-2010, 04:10 PM	#15
hotrod101786 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 6	Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion thanks guys. well i traded a 4 wheeler that i had 500 in but worth bout 1500. and 300 cash. he was askin 2000. but sadly i must say that im sellin the truck, got a killer deal on an 87 mustang 5.0 with t tops. Posted via Mobile Device



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