Hi Frank50,
The Ford engine i used is used in the 'Ford Transit' that was sold only in Mexico as far as i am aware. It was available in various body types from tipper to panel van to pick up or mini bus. It's a 4 cylinder non-turbo diesel inline engine. Power is about 85hp with good mid range torque. You can never over rev this engine, it will go as far as it does on the rev's and thats it.(More than enough). The early models used a Lucas CAV diesel pump which was prone to leaking, so i exchanged mine for a Bosch type pump. It was so easy to change i reckon my 12 year old son could of done it. There are no heater plugs as the engine is direct injection therefore start immediately even on these cold -4 mornings we have been having recently.
The cylionder block and head are all made of cast iron so no aluminum to steel corrosion to worry about.
As for the gearbox thats the 5 speed MT75 gearbox fitted as standard on this year of Ford Transit 1984 thru 1991. 4th gear being 1:1 ratio with 5th gear being the overdrive. The gearbox is very very strong and i know of no one having a problem with them. They are extremely light being made of cast aluminum, and have the added feature of being able to be used in left hand drive or right hand drive vehicles. You simply take out the rubber bung on the opposite side of where the clutch fork exits the housing. Unclip the fork and pivot ball and place it on the other side of the housing. and all the mounting holes for the clutch cable are machined in to both sides of the housing so as to give you the option of left or right hand exit for the clutch fork. I have to say that by putting the 16 inch wheels on my truck with 750x16 tires with this gearbox/engine using the original Diff has given me almost perfect gear ratios. I live in a very hilly part of the UK, and 3rd gear is just unbeleivable for climbing those hills. You can just creep up the hills slowly in 3rd gear without the engine laboring, or you can floor it and hold on tight without worrying about over revving that engine.
The most important thing though is the fuel consumption. 28- 32 miles to the gallon. Now thats got to be good ! And thats just driving around locally in the hill's. I guess that would improve out on the freeway.
All in all i am very pleased with the conversion, it's not a flying machine, but a VERY useable daily driver. It could easily make 85 mph, but who would want to do that in a 1952 Truck with 1952 handling characteristics. 60-65mph is quite comfortable with a good fuel return to boot!!!
As regards photo's i will have to go to my friends garage and put her up on the ramp so i can get you some shots of the work we done underneath.
Hope i have answered your questions.
Kind Regards
Tim (UK)
