1957 Chevy Cummins Diesel Swap

[Tyler Dixon]

So here's the deal
about 4 years ago my grandpa bought a 1957 Chevy 3600. He eventually decided he wanted to use it to pull his 5th wheel toyhauler. He bought a first gen Cummins 6bt and the transmission. He has it set up as a 1 ton and this was all being put on a 73-87 frame. Finally he wanted to make it a 4 door by welding two cabs together or finding a real 4 door from the forestry, military or railroad. He has a ton of work put into the frame and mounts and everything. He eventually gave up on it after putting 5k into the whole project and getting nowhere.

Now I would really like to see this thing completed. Main problems he is having is the actual fitment of the engine and the firewall. Hes already cut the firewall and now he doesn't like how it fits. and hes already made mounts for it and has had the engine mounted in the frame

To anyone who has done this kind of swap what did you do? what are we doing wrong?

[mongocanfly]

Its been done but I think part of the engine will have to go into the firewall and under the dash..here's a 65ish truck I saw at a local show last year.just got to remember those were never designed to go together.like a lot of custom tucks it involves a lot of head scratching...http://blacksmokemedia.com/this-cumm...beautiful-rig/

[6BT 56]

Hey Tyler . Take a spin over to my thread . It fits in there . Tight but it fits with no cutting . YouTube it as well. There is a guy with a 59 napco that has a 6 bt as well. Neal nice install. There is also another guy on here, Luther that has his fit into the firewall a bit but used the stock ic and stock fan it's work swell too. He has lots of posts on my thread . His link is in his sig. Any questions just ask away .

[Dieselwrencher]

I'm sure the issue with fitting it in the engine compartment comes in with the 73 up style of frame, and that is why he had to make mounts. I'd think building the crew cab would be more difficult than setting the engine in place. Shoot, that's the most fun part of it for me!

[II_Slow]

I've done it with a 2nd gen 55 on a 99 Ram 2500 frame. What you choose to put in front of the engine will dictate how you fit it. If you stay with a moderately-sized radiator and ditch (or relocate) the intercooler then you can fit it without setting it back too far under the dash. Mine has an oversized radiator, AC condenser, and pretty big intercooler so I have mine set back 14 inches so it comes all the way back to the base of the dash and really crowds your feet. With that, I had to offset the brake and gas pedal. Mine is not yet on the road, so I'm not sure how much of an irritation that will be. I do my share of driving on out vanpool at work and it is pretty much the same way and it doesn't feel awkward at all so maybe it will be fine (I also have cruise control I the 55). Link in my signature below.

[SparkyRnD]

We also make radiators here in the USA using domestically sourced materials by hand to fit your truck (and we can put the inlet / outlet wherever you need at no additional charge). They are all tig welded, no epoxy or glue either. Plus, we are a site sponsor. Let me know if you are interested.