Swapping a 69 Chevy body onto a 97 Cummings chassis

[steveperry]

So I've had a 69 k20 for about ten years and finally got the pieces together to do a Cummins swap... I've scowered the site for some having done this but I'm just seeing people putting the cummins in the Chevy chassis. Has anyone done what I'm talking about? The problem I'm seeing right off hand is the intercooler is going to be too far forward for the fender to fit right. Any help? Here's the trucks I've got to work with

[steveperry]

Don't know how to upload more than one photo, it keeps deleting the second one so here it is

[usetheBFH]

It's a tough fit. I did the 12-Valve into a C10 option. You could, being that the Dodge is a '97, get the Non-Intercooler Piping from a '93-Down 6BT and not run an intercooler. That'll let you gain ~3-4 Inches. Also trash the Mechanical fan for a thin Electric one. Tha's good for 2-Inches.

[steveperry]

How does that work for not having an inner Cooler? That make the diesel run hotter? I'm new to diesels.

[usetheBFH]

Depends on how you build and what you're going to do with the engine. The Purpose of an intercooler is to Cool the air coming off the turbo and ultimately keep you EGT's in check. Now this is an extreme case but this guy is ~1,200 HP without an intercooler. http://www.trucktrend.com/cool-truck...s-race-engine/It very much depends on the function of the truck. If your going to do mild tuning and run it down the road you'll be fine without an intercooler. Just get a Pyro Gauge and keep it off the ~1200-1400F for any kind of duration or you'll melt stuff. I have an interccooler on mine and i can hardly get it past 1000F if i BEAT on it.

[usetheBFH]

Commercial Vehicles and Construction Equipment, Like CASE Equipment, Use Non-Intercooled 12-Valve p-pump engines. That's where you get the parts from.

[Bigdav160]

I don't think you can make the Dodge core support work anyway. There are examples in the diesel swap section with the dodge intercooler upside down on the GM core support

[steveperry]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

I don't think you can make the Dodge core support work anyway. There are examples in the diesel swap section with the dodge intercooler upside down on the GM core support

Do you happen to have a link?

[Bigdav160]

It is not on a Dodge chassis but might give you some ideas.

Cummins Suburban

edit, I'm sorry that truck is using a Bank intercooler. I'm sure I've seen others with an OE cooler.

[steveperry]

im gonna try and stick with the dodge chassis and put electric fans in it... Hopefully that will give me the length I need for the fenders.

[XwalkerX]

i just saw this and thought of this thread.

the owner is 72 Tigger








saw it in this thread

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...91687&page=152

[68Stepper]

**Cummins**

[72 tigger]

I used the complete 2002 Dodge chassis (shorten the WB by 12 inches). The innercooler & radiator are tight- only about 1/2" clearance between the rad & fan. Built it in 2003 & has been my DD ever since.

[71blksuper4x4]

Z's custom rods built this 69-70 blazer on a shortened Cummins chassis. I believe you can find build pics of it on their Facebook page.

[kellyed]

Hey 72 tigger, you have the build for your truck on here? That's exactly what I'm looking to do!!

[72 tigger]

No, I didn't do a build thread- I didn't even take many pics- sorry. I can try to answer any questions

[steveperry]

hey tigger, what is that radiator support out of?

[steveperry]

Started pulling the Cummins apart...how many people have had the dowel pin come out? Cause I pulled the cover off and it literally fell into the bottom of the pan. It had been skipping around on top of the gear and luckily hadn't gotten sucked between the gears to destroy the engine!

[steveperry]

Guess I'm going to make this a build forum as I make progress, got the dodge cab ditched, the wiring harness out and going to start cleaning up the motor and tranny to see what I'm working with.

[bigrigpardo]

god you must be the luckiest guy in the world. they call it the killer dowel pin for a reason. google it good thing you found it it will kill a cummins quick.

[steveperry]

Originally Posted by bigrigpardo

god you must be the luckiest guy in the world. they call it the killer dowel pin for a reason. google it good thing you found it it will kill a cummins quick.

Yeah I know, pulled it to install the Kdp kit and there it was. You can see the scoring marks from where it was clanking around in there!

[steveperry]

Can anyone tell me if I need to reinstall the dowel pin? The only thing I can find is that the pin is used for alignment when the timing case is bolted to the block...why would I need to reinstall it? I don't plan on taking the case off so I guess I don't understand the need for it. I did however make a retainer for it, and pushed the pin back in. Just curious I guess if anyone has left it out after ward.

[steveperry]

Moved the truck out into the driveway to remove the cab. Pretty easy with three helpers. Rolled it back in and let the engine tear down begin!!

[garmar]

Wow! Glad to see the KDP didn't trash your motor. Interesting build.

[steveperry]

Not much in the way of progress tonight, have to work on the truck after the kids go to bed but I got the wiring harness stripped off the motor and the brake assembly removed.