Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Well I'm overdue for an update. Hope you all have had a great summer. I have been swamped at work, at with remodeling projects and windmill projects. Since I'm so busy I had Ryan (dieselwrencher) take the engine a month ago. He is going to open it up and help me determine if we should rebuild it or just regasket and make the appropriate fuel and air system mods. Any update on that Ryan?

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

I have removed the injectors and exhaust manifold. I have to finish the comp check and then I will yank the head to give you the report. Hopefully I will be calling you Sunday Jud.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Ryan, sounds good keep me posted, hope you had a good holiday weekend!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Subscribed !

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

What ever happened on this build?

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Life happened. I am back on the forum now. Awhile back Ryan (dieselwrencher) rebuilt a sweet engine for me that should perform really well for this application. The one I had internal damage and cracked head. Starting to think about this one again, I don't want the engine to sit too long. Busy with my ochre K20 though at the moment.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Hi. we have 2 single wheel K 30s in the family so I'm watching your build, but for right now I'm wondering if you know where theres a 16 foot wheel and tail for Aermotor. Found the head in New Mexico, we already have 8 ft but this 16 ft is huge.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Cool! I don't see many SRW K30's, you are fortunate to have a couple.

As for the Aermotor, the wheel and tail won't be cheap for that size of mill but I can give you some names to check with, shoot me a PM. The 16 footers are massive machinery. Did you know they made a 20 ft?! Those are monsters too.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Hi all, I got some other projects out of the way and the shop cleaned. That said, after a 4 year hiatus I pulled the truck into the shop and am entering the engine install phase!!

Anyone still subscribed out there? Seems pretty quiet around these parts of the forum lately.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Pics. Picked up a used 2 ton hoist off Craigs. Cut the engine x member carefully and now it looks like I need to cut the one just behind the core support. Hoping to get by without a lift, but just a set of Airlift airbags on front axle. Rear already has Airlift. I just don't want a tall tow rig and it sits fairly high already with the tall 1 ton frame and 285/75/16's I'm planning on.

Wheels on engine hoist are crap, need to upgrade them before I do much more. Have to kick it side to side or put a pliers on them to get them to swivel.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Well that is one way to stab a motor. keep us posted. :metal::metal::metal:

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

You have mounts that let it go diecctly on to the Factory crossmember ? I do t know if I have seen that . Keep us in the loop now that your moving fwd. if you have a few cool windmill pics thro one or two up. I'd love to have a nice old one around the farm. I bet there not too easy to come by these days .

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Thanks, will do. Core support was junk anyways and this allows me to mock up fits without fighting it;)

One option uses upgraded BBC style mounts with the crossmember dropped a few inches. Below is a pic of that mount.

Also a pic of the other way I'm tempted to go which is a fluid mount that the 4BT guys like for its smoothness. I'm not sure if just one per side will take the torque of my 6BT but I could do 2 per side maybe.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Did you decide against building your own cross member? I'd go with the poly clam shells over those fluid filled ones IMO. You could do 2 per side but if you're going to do that, why not use a t bushing and DOM and build your own?

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Hi Ryan, glad you dropped in. Haven't given up on building my own xmember. I really just need to position it where I want it to clear trans tunnel and rear rocker cover to firewall and see where things sit. I just don't want to lift it more than Airlift system can do. Are you aware of any Tbushings that are fluid filled? Just hoping to get the advantage of hydraulic damping to take some vibration out.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Jud, I don't know of any liquid filled t bushings. I have auto world's poly first gen mounts in my 72 and I have no complaints with them. I don't feel they allow the engine to vibrate much at all. In fact they feel better than the oem 2nd gen ones. They are far superior than a rubber first gen bushing.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Got the trans/tcase/gearvendors fitted in. I have the engine at 4 degrees (front higher than rear) and the rear pinion angle is about 4.5 so its pretty close. Its all shoehorned it but I think there is enough clearance for everything, but top two tranny bolts will be a pain unless I can drop the tranny crossmember and count on the engine mounts flexing a little...

I need to figure out where to mount the AC compressor, the low position beneath the water inlet won't clear the frame and crossmembers since my engine needs to be low in the frame. I was reading that one from freightliner application may work but need to find where to purchase but need to first confirm it will work.

As for the radiator to engine - with the BBC 3 core rad in factor position, there is 3 inches to the tip of the threaded shaft where the mech fan would mount. I don't have a mech fan handy to measure, can someone tell me if that would fit? I'm betting no and that I need to run efans. Probably good anyways since this truck won't be used in town or traffic much. Mainly a highway truck and highway tow rig.

I am fighting to log into the site on my iphone, I don't think there is an app for this site? apparently Safari doesn't work with the site.. So its a pain to get photos on
here.

Ryan, good to hear the poly 1st gen ones aren't too bad. Trying to see if they'll sell me just the isolators. Do you have just two isolators under your engine or 2 per side? They are saying a quad mount is recommended for 400+ HP.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Glad to see your project is moving along again. Been following this one for a long time. Nice truck and that engine stand is amazing!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Thanks! Glad to know more people look at this and its more than a notebook for a couple of us!

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Here is the engine sitting approximately where I want it. Trans is only 1/2" from tunnel in a few spots!

I am fighting the turbo drain tube, its right where I want the mount....

Tranny was a remain and it looks really great inside but I'm not a trans expert. I'll try to get more closeups for you guys. I don't think i need to touch it - drove well in the old crusty dodge. Anyone able to decipher a date code from it?

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Third gear and it's blocking ring look realy worn, did it have any problems shifting into or jumping out of third?
These are common problems with the G360 trans.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

It shifted and held like it should for a few miles of driving. I will try to get some better pics, there was oil all over the parts (trans still full) that makes it unclear. Will be a few days before I slip it out after the mock up phase here.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

I'm happy to see this thread hasn't died. Hopefully you get this truck done soon so I can steal ideas for my 86 CCSB Cummins project.

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Nope I'm motivated to get this running and its winter so I have some time :metal:

I'm hung up on the AC compressor, need to figure out if I can put it just above the coolant inlet and under the Alternator. The alternator is definitely too low for that currently but I see there are some high mount kits available but I'm not sure if the belt routing or space would allow the compressor between alternator and the water inlet.

This truck has never had AC but I need it since this is a tow rig I'll be using on long trips in the summer and its got a dark red interior! I have some NOS thermo king Auto AC units I could add but they were for R12 and I would have to find a condenser that would couple with them. It may be easier to buy a vintage air unit but I need to research them. I'm not sure how hard it would be to get the factory AC system from a squarebody and swap into my truck? Anyone know if they are just as many components and as complicated as a 67-72 AC system?

Re: K30 Downgrade to Cummins Project
 

Auto world will sell the poly isolators separate last I knew. I hope so because they have the patent on them and are the only ones building them as far as I know. I only have 1 per side in my truck. It makes well over 400hp, I've towed 25k and higher and not had any issues with them.

From what I can see on your engine position, you are still way too far forward. I can also tell you, for a tow rig you want a mechanical fan. You will want to jump up to the dodge radiator too and ditch the stock BBC radiator. My truck has a stock BBC radiator and it does just fine towing 15k on an open trailer. Hook an enclosed trailer or 5th wheel camper on it and she gets warm. I don't have a shroud on it but I don't believe putting a shroud on it will be the cure. I feel a larger radiator is the cure. So, with that being said, I'd just modify your core support and put a 94-02 dodge radiator and intercooler in it and be done with it.

I realize you're trying to get by with not much lift but I don't think you will get there without putting the engine a little farther down and back more. If you want I can send you a dodge exhaust manifold so your mount issues are a little easier. I probably have a dodge oil drain too. The ford bus/F700 AC mount is probably the one you're talking about. They're pretty pricey. Auto world also makes mounting brackets and a dual pulley to put ac compressors on the head above the injection pump.