53 panel diesel project - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Schwank · 02-20-2013, 06:48 PM

Hey I'm planning to put a diesel in my 53. I don't want to modify the firewall too much, but I will if I have to. I haven't decided which diesel to put in. I could use some advice. I'm not trying to make it a hot rod or anything I want to make a solid daily driver that can tow and do anything I need it to while getting good mileage. I want to put a 5 speed behind it and good gears in the rear end. Other than that and an updated suspension, I want to keep it origional. Any advice?
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Ackattack · 02-21-2013, 08:50 AM

Not knowing the size of the engine compartment for sure, but I'm thinking they're a little smaller than some of the later trucks.

So I'm thinking a 6bt (cummins 5.9L) would be a tough fit. However a 4bt would probably fit, would give you good mileage, and hopped up a little would do fine towing "regular" loads

Schwank · 02-21-2013, 01:30 PM

Yeah I wanted to put a 4bt in originally, but I'm concerned about the vibration I keep hearing about. I don't want to invest in an engine that is miserable to drive. Is there any way to manage that?
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68Cummins · 02-21-2013, 05:04 PM

Kick me for not having any good pictures of the engine bay but here are some pictures of a buddys 55 pickup with a 6bt. No firewall modifications but it was tighter than my 68 c10. I had a radiator from a 96 Olds Beretta I found in my barn and used it on the 55. He is currently not running an innercooler and im not sure where to fit one when he decides too. For the mean time i fab'd up a intake tube from the turbo.

68Cummins · 02-21-2013, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwank

Yeah I wanted to put a 4bt in originally, but I'm concerned about the vibration I keep hearing about. I don't want to invest in an engine that is miserable to drive. Is there any way to manage that?
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BTW If you are concerned about vibration, Dont get ANY Cummins...

Here is the only under the hood shot i have...

6lcummins · 02-21-2013, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schwank

Yeah I wanted to put a 4bt in originally, but I'm concerned about the vibration I keep hearing about. I don't want to invest in an engine that is miserable to drive. Is there any way to manage that?
Posted via Mobile Device

P-pump 24V don't rattle that bad, especially when the injectors and timing are set properly.

6BT 56 · 02-21-2013, 11:00 PM

Hey schwank. Check my build . The cummins is deffinately a long eng . 4 bt is a cool eng for sure but they are so expensive and hard to find. You should look into one of those militairy 6.2's. I dont know much abt them but it seems they will fit anywhere a sbc will fit. Check Luthers Napco clone 56 build . He is going to put a 6.2 V8 oil burner in his 65 Malibu. He has some comments in his build .

**Dieselwrencher** · 02-22-2013, 12:07 AM

A mercedes diesel or a VW diesel are good options too.

ThreeQtr · 02-22-2013, 08:06 AM

What about an Isuzu, like thay use in the box trucks ? I don't know much about them, but here is one in an early suburban.

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/cl...ationId=555498

6BT 56 · 02-22-2013, 02:54 PM

Thats a 4 bt cummins not a Isuzu. Looks like a nice swap tho !

**Dieselwrencher** · 02-22-2013, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Thats a 4 bt cummins not a Isuzu. Looks like a nice swap tho !

I'll be nice this time.

I saw the pic, and was like Isuzu huh?

68Cummins · 02-22-2013, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

I'll be nice this time.

I saw the pic, and was like Isuzu huh?

Agreed... I thought the "C" badge gave it away. guess not

6BT 56 · 02-22-2013, 08:12 PM

Just imagine if it was detroit green ! Then what! LoL. Was still nice looken conversion tho . A/c and all the goodies.

**Dieselwrencher** · 02-22-2013, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6BT 56

Just imagine if it was detroit green ! Then what! LoL. Was still nice looken conversion tho . A/c and all the goodies.

I still wouldn't be fooled.

ThreeQtr · 02-23-2013, 09:28 AM

Umm, my bad boy's and girls. I read an article on this suburban years ago and was thinking the article said that it had Isuzu diesel. So when I saw it for sale I didn't read what it had or even look at the engine that close. The big blue 'C' on the topside of the motor should have been a good hint as to what brand of engine was in it.

But still what if we break up my original sentence.
What about Isuzu diesel's ? In post #9 is an early suburban with a diesel (Not Isuzu) conversion.

charlieo · 02-24-2013, 06:30 PM

I put a 4bt in a 1970 chevy 4x4 , it doesn't vibrate very much. Lots of torque

68Cummins · 02-24-2013, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeQtr

But still what if we break up my original sentence.
What about Isuzu diesel's ? In post #9 is an early suburban with a diesel (Not Isuzu) conversion.

What about Isuzu diesels... they are power houses. If I got a deal on a Duramax like I did my Cummins it would be in my 68 and I would be rocking Isuzu badge too...haha

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Schwank · 02-25-2013, 02:42 PM

I like the idea of the 4bt. Good fuel economy, power and I wouldn't have to mess with my firewall, but they are SO expensive! I've found some for around $1500, but I'm still looking. And I need a standard trans for it too. Any ideas where to find some reasonable engines?
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mknittle · 03-08-2013, 05:51 PM

Look for an older GM bread truck. some have the same bellhousing as the gass engines that used TH 400s.

eagleuh1 · 09-13-2013, 08:12 AM

Schwank, any progress or luck finding you an engine? I've got a 1950 GMC 450 firetruck looking to do the same repower. Jim

eagleuh1 · 11-02-2013, 11:09 PM

Any luck finding an engine?

eagleuh1 · 12-06-2013, 12:21 AM

Still looking for your engine?

02-20-2013, 06:48 PM	#1
Schwank Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: fountain valley, ca Posts: 7	53 panel diesel project Hey I'm planning to put a diesel in my 53. I don't want to modify the firewall too much, but I will if I have to. I haven't decided which diesel to put in. I could use some advice. I'm not trying to make it a hot rod or anything I want to make a solid daily driver that can tow and do anything I need it to while getting good mileage. I want to put a 5 speed behind it and good gears in the rear end. Other than that and an updated suspension, I want to keep it origional. Any advice? Posted via Mobile Device

02-21-2013, 08:50 AM	#2
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	Re: 53 panel diesel project Not knowing the size of the engine compartment for sure, but I'm thinking they're a little smaller than some of the later trucks. So I'm thinking a 6bt (cummins 5.9L) would be a tough fit. However a 4bt would probably fit, would give you good mileage, and hopped up a little would do fine towing "regular" loads __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

02-21-2013, 01:30 PM	#3
Schwank Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: fountain valley, ca Posts: 7	Re: 53 panel diesel project Yeah I wanted to put a 4bt in originally, but I'm concerned about the vibration I keep hearing about. I don't want to invest in an engine that is miserable to drive. Is there any way to manage that? Posted via Mobile Device

02-21-2013, 05:04 PM	#4
68Cummins Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: New Whiteland Posts: 62	Re: 53 panel diesel project Kick me for not having any good pictures of the engine bay but here are some pictures of a buddys 55 pickup with a 6bt. No firewall modifications but it was tighter than my 68 c10. I had a radiator from a 96 Olds Beretta I found in my barn and used it on the 55. He is currently not running an innercooler and im not sure where to fit one when he decides too. For the mean time i fab'd up a intake tube from the turbo.

02-21-2013, 11:00 PM	#7
6BT 56 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Coldwater On. Canada Posts: 551	Re: 53 panel diesel project Hey schwank. Check my build . The cummins is deffinately a long eng . 4 bt is a cool eng for sure but they are so expensive and hard to find. You should look into one of those militairy 6.2's. I dont know much abt them but it seems they will fit anywhere a sbc will fit. Check Luthers Napco clone 56 build . He is going to put a 6.2 V8 oil burner in his 65 Malibu. He has some comments in his build . __________________ 56 gmc 4X4 Cummins 5 spd 60F 70R 2005 Ram 3500 DRW cummins 4X4. 2006 Conolift 9/15. 2011 F 350 winter beater New 2018 ram 3500 drw 4x4. Makes my 2005 Look as if it's been running on 4 cyl since new ! My Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556908

02-22-2013, 12:07 AM	#8
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,133	Re: 53 panel diesel project A mercedes diesel or a VW diesel are good options too. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

02-22-2013, 08:06 AM	#9
ThreeQtr Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Port St Lucie,FL Posts: 203	Re: 53 panel diesel project What about an Isuzu, like thay use in the box trucks ? I don't know much about them, but here is one in an early suburban. http://www.autotraderclassics.com/cl...ationId=555498 Attached Images

02-22-2013, 02:54 PM	#10
6BT 56 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Coldwater On. Canada Posts: 551	Re: 53 panel diesel project Thats a 4 bt cummins not a Isuzu. Looks like a nice swap tho ! __________________ 56 gmc 4X4 Cummins 5 spd 60F 70R 2005 Ram 3500 DRW cummins 4X4. 2006 Conolift 9/15. 2011 F 350 winter beater New 2018 ram 3500 drw 4x4. Makes my 2005 Look as if it's been running on 4 cyl since new ! My Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556908

02-22-2013, 08:12 PM	#13
6BT 56 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Coldwater On. Canada Posts: 551	Re: 53 panel diesel project Just imagine if it was detroit green ! Then what! LoL. Was still nice looken conversion tho . A/c and all the goodies. __________________ 56 gmc 4X4 Cummins 5 spd 60F 70R 2005 Ram 3500 DRW cummins 4X4. 2006 Conolift 9/15. 2011 F 350 winter beater New 2018 ram 3500 drw 4x4. Makes my 2005 Look as if it's been running on 4 cyl since new ! My Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=556908

02-23-2013, 09:28 AM	#15
ThreeQtr Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Port St Lucie,FL Posts: 203	Re: 53 panel diesel project Umm, my bad boy's and girls. I read an article on this suburban years ago and was thinking the article said that it had Isuzu diesel. So when I saw it for sale I didn't read what it had or even look at the engine that close. The big blue 'C' on the topside of the motor should have been a good hint as to what brand of engine was in it. But still what if we break up my original sentence. What about Isuzu diesel's ? In post #9 is an early suburban with a diesel (Not Isuzu) conversion.

02-24-2013, 06:30 PM	#16
charlieo Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: sw Posts: 341	Re: 53 panel diesel project I put a 4bt in a 1970 chevy 4x4 , it doesn't vibrate very much. Lots of torque

02-25-2013, 02:42 PM	#18
Schwank Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: fountain valley, ca Posts: 7	Re: 53 panel diesel project I like the idea of the 4bt. Good fuel economy, power and I wouldn't have to mess with my firewall, but they are SO expensive! I've found some for around $1500, but I'm still looking. And I need a standard trans for it too. Any ideas where to find some reasonable engines? Posted via Mobile Device

03-08-2013, 05:51 PM	#19
mknittle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Auburn ca. Posts: 2,886	Re: 53 panel diesel project Look for an older GM bread truck. some have the same bellhousing as the gass engines that used TH 400s. __________________ Mark My GMC build. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=536602

09-13-2013, 08:12 AM	#20
eagleuh1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russellville, Arkansas Posts: 1,699	Re: 53 panel diesel project Schwank, any progress or luck finding you an engine? I've got a 1950 GMC 450 firetruck looking to do the same repower. Jim

11-02-2013, 11:09 PM	#21
eagleuh1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russellville, Arkansas Posts: 1,699	Re: 53 panel diesel project Any luck finding an engine?



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12-06-2013, 12:21 AM	#22
eagleuh1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Russellville, Arkansas Posts: 1,699	Re: 53 panel diesel project Still looking for your engine?

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