Step Van/Value Van with 3-53 - Your Opinion

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

What did you all think of the performance of the Chevy Step Van and GMC Value Van equipped with the Detroit Diesel 3-53N "Gamma Goat" engine?

Only one variation of the 3-53N was offered, producing 82 hp gross (76 hp net) @ 2500 rpm and 193 lb/ft of torque gross (188 lb/ft net) @ 1500 rpm. I would think these ratings applied to the N40 injectors rather than the N45 or N50 injectors. With the N50s, the 3-53N would have made about 108 gross hp @ 2600 rpm.

GMC dropped this option for their Value Van after the 1968 model year, although Chevy continued to catalog it for their Step Van through the 1970 model year.

Although the "Gamma Goat" was the only diesel cataloged for the P-series (until the 6.2L diesel V8 from the C/K line was made optional from February 1982), I wonder how many of you retrofitted to the 130-hp 4-53N or the 170-hp 4-53T as used on some of the later '70s 50-60-65 series mediums? Or, if you were lucky enough, the 210-hp 6V53N or 225-hp 6V53T used on the H/J-series (later the Bruin/Brigadier) trucks?

~Ben

[special-K]

I don't know anything about the diesel Step Vans or Value Vans and I don't think many here do. You seem to be the man with all that knowledge...and welcome to the sight. I see a lot more interest in not only the Step Vans but other GM commercial vehicles other than little runabout pickups these days. I think if this site had a message board for the neglected GM commercial vehicles it would be a good idea. The vehicles I'm thinking of are The 40-90 series big trucks,buses,Step/Value Vans,RVs,El Camino/Sprint,Sedan Deliveries,military,Utes,Hummers,special purpose vehicles based on GM chassis,as well as GM-powered vehicles...both production and owner installed. This could be anything from other make trucks,to hot road,to boats! The watermen on the Chesapeake run what is known as "throw away" boats. They are wooden hull and are powered (mostly) by junk yard SBCs running dual exhaust stack and cooled by radiator...no high dollar hoidy toidy crap for those olf boys. And don't forget Detroit Diesel. Heck,for that matter,what about Terex machinery?
I've never heard the 3-53 referred to as the Gama Goat. I do know the military had a unique articulated 6wd general purpose vehicle that was Detroit 3-53 powered called the M561 Gama Goat. I guess that's how the motor got nick named.