The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts diesel

has anybody ever done a diesel swap .. if not does any one have any info on whats the best motor to swap in to a stovebolt and such.. thankyou
derek

I like the sound of a detroit 6-71, but not many bolts have an engine big enough to accept that much engine.

Someone on this board is putting a detroit 4-53 in their "big bolt". It's looking like a slick setup. He custom fabbed mounts, and you'll have to make sure you have a front axle that can hold that weight.

I don't know if one of the cummins B series will fit or not.

i hope one day to do a turbo diesel that would be sick to throw a detroit diesel... also did chevy have a diesel engine out back in the 1950s i dont think sooo right b.c companys like cat and detroit where into that feild of production ?
thankyou
derek

Check out this link... to this site!

http://www.stovebolt.com/gallery/stone_moe_1959.html

Now THAT is a bolt.

I belive that GM was the first to make the 2-stroke diesel and they sold the production rights to detroit diesel.

I think I could fit a 4-53 or 3-71 in my engine bay, but I'd need to beef up the front axle a bit. Even then, I'm not sure it would out torque a well built 292, which will fit in with far less money and effort (from what I've read). That's what I'm thinking about for my rig.

I've heard they are casting cross flow heads for the 235 / 261 and for the 250 / 292. I don't think they are available yet... but put a blower on a built 292 and you'll have to start strengthening other things to handle the torque.

wow thats a sick bolt... i want to do stacks at the very least to my chevy 3800 but yea diesel would be nice lol maybe ill jus work my stoc 235 ..
?

I want to put a 6-71 in my 41 big truck. Its far enough gone (frame/running gear wise) Im gonna look for a 60s ish crackerbox and swap the cab onto it. Way to far in the future to think about...

Detroits are some of the best made engines. They sleeve the cylinders so as long as you dont punch a hole in the block you can always rebuild em.

A friend of mine was looking to swap a diesel out of one of those frito-lay cube trucks. Makes sense to me. A full load of potato chips must weigh.. what.. 300 pounds? High mileage, sure, but it probably never worked very hard.

-Joel

Rustednuts,

Those crackerboxes were essentially cab overs. I've seen them for sale for about $2000 in "fair running" condition, but I don't know if you could fit a bolt cab over that frame. It'd be neat to sea though. They WILL last forever if you don't send a rod flying and maintian them well. I've heard they are tough to maintain though.

Joel,

I've heard those frito-lay trucks are the ones to get the detroits from for exactly the resason you mention... they've led an easy life. Did they have 4-53's?

I'm still thinking a 292 is the right thing for me. While I like diesel, I'd prefer a gasser 1 ton. If I ever got a 3 ton or so (like is in the for sale section right now) I'd definitely want a diesel. I'm thinking a 6-71 with 13 speed road ranger would be fun.

I believe detroit had a 3 cyl diesal aluminum block in the 40's that was use in troup transports and 2 ton jeep trucks.

The F-L trucks I have seen had 4-cyl Perkins engines. Have driven one with same. OK if you like extremely slow acceleration, a lot of noise and 55 mph top speed.

A little info on the Detroits-
Detroit Deisel was a division of GM, with design and testing of the 2 stroke engine stating around 1932, with production starting in '35. The original use for the engine was deisel locomotives. GMC offered it in trucks in '37/'38. Chevrolet didn't get a deisel until the '60s. Detroit Deisel engines were manufactured with both iron and aluminum blocks. They were also sold as Grey Marine engines for use in Navy vessels.
The numbering system refers to the number of cyliders and the displacement of each cylinder, example-6-71= 6 cylider/71 cid per cylinder, 426 cid total displacement. These engines range from the 2-53 used in John Deere 420/430 to 12-110s that are usually found attached to hospital generators. This is also where the numbering for the aftermarket superchargers came from, as many early rodders used blowers from these engines.

Thats really interesting Bill. Thanks.

Howdy mazdabon2nd

We have a couple of Bolters who have done, or who are doing, diesel swaps. Grigg Mullen is in the process of putting a Detroit into an AD Big Bolt right now and has several threads about it in the Big Bolt forum. The latest update is located at this link

A 3800 with a small Detroit would be cool. I have kicked around an idea of getting a Cummins and tranny out of a Dodgebolt but that one's never really gone beyond the idea phase...

Regards,
John

That 59 GMC rocks! Well, except for the diamond pattern on the front bumper... Can't we discipline them for doing that?

This thread more properly belongs in the Big Bolts forum so I am moving there. I let it run thinking it would die out quickly but obviously it hasn't so it now goes where it belongs.

It sounds like a pretty big diesel can be "wedged" into a 1954-55 first big truck,say a 4400.I have found a deluxe model(5 window, radio-equipped,airflow fresh-air heater,stainless window trim,transport blue with 2-tone interior, etc).It is a "shorty" dump truck---110" wheel-base?(Dump is only about 6'long?)What is the biggest,baddest, torquiest monster I can put in there?I'd like to throw some stacks on there.And did these puppies ever have hydra-matic trannies?Can one of these diesels be mated to a Hydra-matic?I have a spare 1954 Hydra-matic tranny.(I was saving it for an extra for my hydra-matic 54 pickup)Thanks, Rich

PS...I forgot to mention this truck is a COE. Does that change anything? I believe it's a 1 1/2ton (4400)...Rich

Rich, A 110"in. wheelbase '47-'55 Chevy COE, will be a 5100 series. If it's 16000lb. gvw. It will be a 2 ton. Sounds like a good candidate for a Orig. Resto. You don't find them equipted like that very often. You also don't find the short 110"in 5100 series trucks that often. Got any pictures of it. I'd like to see it. Chevy never installed Diesels, in any of there '47-'55 COE's. GMC only installed Diesels in the Heavy Duty "Cannonball" COE's.

Hi!
As John said, Grigg is in the process of putting a diesel into a big bolt. He usually shows up on weekends. If he doesn't show up, chase him down, he is a wealth of information.
Rick In VA

Spanky...Thanks for the info. I took pictures of this beast. It's cute, if that's possible. I'll try to get them on here soon. It's so original, that even the original grease markings are still on the firewall! Thanks, Rich

I know of a guy that stuffed a 3208 Cat into a 75ish 1 ton dually way back when. With some tools and talent I'm sure it could be done to a bigbolt too. I wish I had the funds to try it,
Scott

I can't think of a good reason to overload the steering axle of a 1-ton like that, 48. And having lost some 30% of my hearing to 2-stroke detroit diesels in the far past, I won't be doing too much of that any more - although I do love the sound of those awful things, and will take any opportunity to put in an hour or two with a Jimmy.
However, I am looking very closely indeed at the Cummins 4BT. If I do go that way I'll have to import one, because for some unfathomable reason there aren't any up here. Maybe they're all still working. I assume that, since most of their parts are interchangeable with the Dodge Cummins, I'll be able to use a Dodge flywheel, clutch & 5-speed with the 4BT. Comments, anyone?

I think y'all are on the right track, I always recommend a 4BT as the most practical and simplest swap for our trucks. (although I have not done it, only thought about it) However, if you have a COE a 6 cylinder like from the dodge trucks would probably be a better choice for the better power and more room available.

I was considering a COE for my diesel, but I decided I wanted better accessibility for working on things. I may be wrong, but I think a normal truck will be easier to work on, like to adjust the valves.

As for overloading my front axle, it is from a Chevy 3500HD with a v8 diesel, and is rated for plenty more than I will ever have on it. The weight in the front axle in the truck it came from is more than what mine will be. It is also physically larger and stronger looking than the 2 ton axle I took out.
And the noise, I am going to do everything I can possibly do to insulate the cab from sound. I will also have the exhaust come out at the rear wheel on the right side. A good muffler will help too.

About a month ago, I ran into a guy who had a diesel in his '51 or '52 half ton. I took some pictures of the outside of his truck, but he was working at the time, and did not get to see the engine compartment.
He was a mechanic for a diesel shop in Beemer, Nebraska. He had a '47 with a for sale sign in it parked along the highway, that was how I met him.
So, they have been put in half tons. I didn't get around to asking him if he is a "Bolt" member.

John