late 70's C50 engine options?

[QldRtv]

I'm looking at buying a C50 a friend has had for years but has now retired (he was still working it a couple of days a week when he was 80!)

Now, I *think* its a 78, but I'm not 100% on that, I do know that its a 292 with a 4 speed and single speed rear, the box was the same as the one he had in a C20 except the C50 had a drum type park brake bolted to the back of the box (helped him pull the box maybe 12 years ago when it broke the input shaft sleeve)

I'm a couple of thousand miles away from home at the moment so I cant really duck around the corner and ask him for more information, but if we can agree on a mutually agreeable price, I'd be sorely tempted....

The thing for me is I'm not incredibly interested in the 292 and I would like to drop something like a 6v53 or a 6v71 into it, or maybe even a V8 Detroit if one will fit. A later 6.5L diesel V8 isnt out of the question either, but I'd prefer the Detroit......

The problem is, in Australia the powers that be arent incredibly happy with engine conversions other than factory options, so I was hoping if anyone could tell me what engine options were available in that era?

[C10 - C90 Bill]

I'm not that knowledgeable in the later years, and you could probably find some stats online, but I know the '78 C-50 or C-60 (not sure which one, if not both) were available with a 4-53 Detroit.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Just to add a little extra to my above reply (the edit time ran out), the 4-53 may have been available in the '78 GMC only, the Chevy only, or possibly both. That would need to be verified.

Bill

[Marrowthirst]

Here is a link to a resource which provides some insight to what engines came in that year period.

http://www.trucksplanet.com/catalog/model.php?id=1308

"Several engines were available: 250 Six rated at 100 hp, 292 Six at 130 hp, 350 V8 at 160 hp, 366 V8 at 200 hp and 427 V8 at 230 hp. Since 1977, the four cylinder Detroit Diesel 4-53 was available"

So, yes, the Detroit 453 was available.

The size dimensions for the 453 is 39 inch in length, 30 inches wide, and 39 inches in height. The 6V-53 is 39 in length, 37 inches in width, and 41 inches in height. Not sure the 6V-53 would fit though.

[QldRtv]

where can i find out the engine package dimensions?

[Marrowthirst]

Do you mean what is the engine size fully dressed?

Or are you asking where my source was for the dimensions?

[QldRtv]

I'd like to know your source for dimensions, it'd be a handy thing to use

I think something like an aluminium 6v53 would be good, surely it shouldnt be much different lengthwide to a inline 6, the firewall might be a challenge but thats only sheetmetal

[Marrowthirst]

here is one place

http://www.dieselhub.com/tech/engine-dimensions.html

Here is another

https://www.powerlinecomponents.com/detroit_info.htm