1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

Got this truck for $800 about 2 months ago. It's lowered, 350/350 with 373 gears. Interior is red with big metallic flakes, reminds me of an old 70's fair ride or somethin :banghead: gives me a headache. Been thinking of which way to go with it and finally decided i want to do a diesel conversion so i can put an SVO(straight vegetable oil) system on it. Got a guy in Tulsa that's going to do a short bed conversion for $1k. im gonna leave it the way its sitting but put some 20's or 22's on it, not sure what finish/color on the wheels tho but if i go chrome im gonna want to chrome the grill and front bumper. Not sure of what color to paint exterior but interior is gonna be gunmetal grey and black. Gonna be lookin for a diesel from an 80's model chevy, dont have enough $ for something newer.

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

Looks like a solid start for your project!

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

thanks. i actually hav zero experience with diesels. i was wondering if there were any threads that had info on doing a swap like this? i tried to look around but couldnt find anything.
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Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

Hey Hot Rod, Welcome to the group...

Saw a photo of a Cummins Diesel out of a Dodge Ram in a C10 and it fit real good.
I'd like some more info about your guy in Tulsa who does a short conversion...

Truck looks good. What ya go'na do with the engine that's in it now..?

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

Interesting build idea. Anxious to see how it all comes together. Looks like you've got a good starting point though.

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

If you're wanting to do a 6.2 or 6.5, it should be pretty easy. Well, easier than a cummins or anything else. A 6.2/6.5 will bolt in place of the SBC, and that is half of the battle right there. It will also bolt up to a SBC TH350/Th400?700R4. Just be sure to try to find a diesel torque converter for what ever transmission you use. Or get one for a MT545 Allison like in the C60's with tall decks.(For a TH350/Th400 Not for the 700R-4)

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

You can also get an NV4500 from a 90's chevy and use the 5 speed OD to help with cruze speed...

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

thanks for the help guys. im trying to go towards a pro touring look. i was never really into biodiesel or svo untill the bp oil spill. my mom lives by pensacola and i go down there often and it just pissed me off how it affected the area. i almost got a diesel vw rabbit to do an svo conversion on but i wanted somethin different. somethin that could show that older american classics can be "green", and not just by throwing a newer fuel efficient engine in. ive seen alot of guys putting diesels in older cars but ive only seen a few actually do it for the capability of using alternative fuels. im gonna start with the interior then get my shortbed conversion done, then start on the body work and throw some nice wheels on it and roll around in primer till i get the diesel conversion done.

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

i sent a pm bout the guy in tulsa. and its gonna be awhile b4 i can even get a donor truck for the diesel so i havent even thought bout what im gonna do with the 350.

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

Thanks for the info, and send me the Tulsa phone number...!

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

pm sent

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

Yea bp messed stuff up pretty bad. its cool that ur willing to try and help the environment after something like that

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

Nice looking project.

Not that it matters, but I had an 84 chevy with the 6.2. It took many years after to even consider a diesel again. My experience with the 6.2 was not a good one. Underpowered and every time the hood came open it was $400 in some kind of repair.

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

I started a 6.2 conversion a few years ago and decided to scrap it. IMP the 6.2/6.5 were too hit and miss. Some people went 300K without an issue, some couldn't make it around the block.

My new project will eventually get swapped for a 4BT running biodiesel. I ran pump B99 in my 2000 F350 last year and loved it. The 4BT is a solid engine and the swap isn't too bad since you can find them with GM transmissions.

That is a hell of a nice truck for $800. I paid $1000 for mine and barely got it home.

Re: 1966 C10 Diesel Conversion
 

thanks guys. well i traded a 4 wheeler that i had 500 in but worth bout 1500. and 300 cash. he was askin 2000. but sadly i must say that im sellin the truck, got a killer deal on an 87 mustang 5.0 with t tops.
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