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#1 |
Sawzall User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: The snow infested Prairies of Canada (aka: Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Posts: 117
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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. ![]()
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![]() '67 GMC 910 |
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#2 |
Professional Grade
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta
Posts: 7,915
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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? ![]()
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1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap) |
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#3 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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I believe Yukon Jack has a buddy doing a 5.9 B series Cummins in a 72 truck.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#4 |
Sawzall User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: The snow infested Prairies of Canada (aka: Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Posts: 117
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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.
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![]() '67 GMC 910 |
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#5 |
huh ???
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Fredericksburg,Va.
Posts: 3,369
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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
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90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!" |
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#6 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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I wouldn't consider the 6.2 or 6.5, they are pretty lame for diesel engines.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: West Des Moines, Ia
Posts: 3,233
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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.
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Krazy Texan My Trucks are made with Wrenches not Chop Sticks 1967 GMC 3/4 ton "Johnny Cash" 1990 v1500 suburban 1967 Ford f100 Swb 4x4 "green bean" GOD BLESS JESUS, JOHN WAYNE, AND THE ALAMO |
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: The Other Maine!
Posts: 2,236
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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.
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1968 Chevy 4x4 307 4 speed |
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#9 |
The LuvShack Garage
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side)
Posts: 30,477
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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. ![]()
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Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T |
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#10 |
blood type; Retumbo
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: next to my reloading bench
Posts: 10,269
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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
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Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card |
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#11 | |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Quote:
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.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#12 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: The Other Maine!
Posts: 2,236
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torque Is King!
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1968 Chevy 4x4 307 4 speed |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The Rubber City
Posts: 5,498
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Quote:
![]() The Cummins 4bt is in quite a few P-series vans, there is an adapter that mates it up to the GM tranny.
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1969 GMC K2500 ![]() 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650 |
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