thinkin about a cummins 4bt, th400, g/v o.d. 3.08 install

[BCOWANWHEELS]

what do you guys think of this install in my c10,1971. a cummins 130 hp 4bta engine, th400 with a g/v O.D., 3.08 gears in the rear end. ???? i know thes engines last forever and get 25+ mpg but there a little noisey. weight is the same as a bbc, cooling isnt a problem as a 4 core is plenty. and thoughts ? ideas ? anybody done this ?
bob in tn.

[qksilver]

There is only one thing to say..........DO IT! One of my fantasy projects.

[epthree04]

i agree! very cool project! very unique and could pull a house if needed! not to mention tons of aftermarket for it.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

who makes aftermarket parts for the 4bt engines. believe it or not i got 18 of these engines. i mainly use them in kaiser jeep 1 1/4 ton m715 trucks. i know where to get o/h parts but any other parts would be great too....
bob

[Bad71chev406sbc]

Not my cup of tea.....but.....an ISB 12V Cummins would be my way to go.....with a 5spd, some 4.10s.....an absolutely pulling mother.

[Aarons72s]

BCOWANWHEELS I like your idea. You must post pics and a faq when you do it.
Aaron

[BCOWANWHEELS]

all isb engines are 24 valve engines, common rail, computer controlled. i dont do computers on vehicles. i want a 70-80 mph cruise at 1600 rpm,s where it makes its most torque. its just a 1/2 ton and all i,ll ever pull with it is my boat or car trailer. i,ll use my 1 1/4 ton m715 jeep with a 6bt if i want to work a truck.
bob

[cell]

be sure to check out the cummins conversion forum on tdr1.com. this is a project I would do in a heartbeat if I had about five grand lying around...

If you haven't sourced an engine yet, check once per month on dovebid.com (search for 4bt), or try arsco.com.

[Bad71chev406sbc]

Originally Posted by BCOWANWHEELS

all isb engines are 24 valve engines, common rail, computer controlled. i dont do computers on vehicles. i want a 70-80 mph cruise at 1600 rpm,s where it makes its most torque. its just a 1/2 ton and all i,ll ever pull with it is my boat or car trailer. i,ll use my 1 1/4 ton m715 jeep with a 6bt if i want to work a truck.
bob

Nah...sorry. I'm not too educated on diesels...yet. I'm talking early 90's Dodge's w/ the 12V cummins in them. The 12V cummins are mechanical injection, no computers to mess with. Throw on a fuel plate, strait pipe it, and your flying up hills with no problem. I thought they were also called ISBs?? Well...looks as though the motor you want to use is fine for what you want to do. No harm done, my brother.

[skchevota]

DOO IT! I put a 12valve 5.9 in my K20, it is sweet. With the 4bt you dont need much aftermarket stuff unless you want turbo upgrades in which case contact HTT . the injection pumps on these have manual fuel ajustments, just crank up the full power screw a couple of turns and you will be over 200hp and close to 400tq. just be sure to install a Pyrometer and watch your EGTs or you can melt a piston under full power,an intercooler would help a lot.

If you want more power mods go to the DTR web site ( dodge truck resourse) and look at the first gen fourum, many of the 6bt upgrades apply to the 4bt as well.

[charlieo]

I've got a 69 gmc 4x4 with a 4bt cummins in it now (not running yet) . If u have any ?? let me know I'll try & help u.

[TP from Cntl PA]

Can't recommend it enough............Not a huge fan of a 4BT(Rattlely and noisey) but would work great in a 1/2 ton.

I will say I WOULD NOT, and I repeat, WOULD NOT! use the TH-400..........That engine will eat her! I did the same sorta setup with my little 6 cylinder in my C-20, only using an SM465...........3 trannys later.......Well you get the idea. GM's trannys were made for weaker gas engines, not torquey diesels at low rpm's. I am going with a HD(for oil cooler) ZF-6spd when I tear it apart to repaint it.

If you have to have the auto, bolt an Allison it, you won't be sorry.

[JAKES 68GMC]

I say do it! Just so you know, the 4BT's shake a lot too, and I mean A LOT.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

I Got The Fluid Filled Hydraulic Motor Mounts For The Install , Brand New Set. Also The Truck I Got The Engine From Came From The Factory With A Th400 Auto Trans So I,am Gonna Have It Rebuilt And I Know The Gear Vendor O.d Will Hold Up So I,am Gonna Install A 1350 Drive Line And Try The 12 Bolt Rear End And See If It Holds Up. To Me Thats Gonna Be The Weak Link. If It Breaks I,ll Do A 9" H/d Ford Or Dana 60 Rear. I,am A Old Dude And Just Drive Around. Every Now And Then I Pull A Trailer But I Dont Jerk It Around And Its All Highway Miles. They Make A Counter Balancer Setup For The Bottom End Of These Engines To Smooth It Out. I Cant Find No Info On It Or Anyone With One For Sale. I,am Gonna Put Dyno Matt On The Firewall And In The Floor Board To Quiet It Down Inside The Truck. I,am Gonna Document Everything And Post It For All To See. I,ve Got 12 Of These Engines If Anybodys Lookin For One.
Thanks Guys For Your Support And Help.
Bob

[TP from Cntl PA]

Send me a PM about these 4BT's..........I may need such a thing for a tractor repower I have cooking.

Athough parts are harder to find, and they are indirect injected, I am glad I went with a 6AT in my truck..........They run so smooth, and even though I am running a straight pipe, with the windows up you can't even hear it running.................But EVERYONE else can Nothing like a Cummins.

[charlieo]

A little back ground on my cummins: Mine came out of a case trencher basicly a long block . I bought a H1C turbo & had it up-graded, machine shop sold me a automotive injection pump, bought the cummins 6bt trans adapter off Ebay & a NV4500 5 spd off Ebay also. I'm also using the 6bt puck style motor mounts , I had to swap right to left & left to right & grind a little around the oil return from the turbo. If u want a balance shaft motor you have to find one that has the balancer bores case into the block ! I'm intrested in another motor if the price is right & if you've got a complete one , Please let me know !!