The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Cummins 12 or 24 valve dielsel

Wanted to know if anyone has put a Cummins diesel into a 1946 chevy 1.5 ton or something like it? Also need help on configuring the radiator and intercooler due to the space in the grill cavity. Thanks

It'll be really tight.
What does your tape-measure tell you about the situation?

Grigg

I have a friend installing a 4BT .There are several you tube videos of the 4Bt installs .

First off "cummins, diesel"

Well depending on what motor you have or want I'm putting a 12 valve into my 50 but its a rat so might be hoodless. I would stay away from the 24 valve th vp44 pump is junk electronic controlled and it is a little bit of wiring to make them run the newer common rail injection 24 valves have a cp3 bosch pump and they work a lot better at delivering fuel but that is even more wiring and would be quiet the journey hooking up one of those the motors have a stand alone setup and the trans is hooked up into the interior computer

Ok now that I got you scared lol the 12 valves are much easier it takes only 1 wire to keep a 12 valve running once started there are 2 different gens of the 12 valve 89-93 the 89 to early 91 have a turbo route right over the motor directly into the intake most use a water methonal injection setup and watch the egts while towing cause that was a little bit of a problem on these trucks, there is a ford intercooler that some swap in and use but its really not necessary, then the 91.5 to 93 have the intercooler both run the same turbo but they have a small intercooler. These 89-93 trucks have a ve bosch pump which doesn't really put out that much pressure so to upgrade you have to tweak the pump or get bigger injectors this has the same basic bottom end of the later 12 valve and these are pretty cheap

Now for the later 94-98 12 valves they are "p pumped" p7100 injection pump is very tuneable you can buy fuel plates for these motors to make quick easy and cheap power a lot of aftermarket for these motors and these still mainly populate the pulling truck community the bottom ends are solid but they do have one flaw in the timing case a dowel pin that aligns the case can fall into the gears if not "tabbed" they make kits its no big deal but you should do it if you have it out of the truck. The main thing with the old 12 valves are that they are supposed to have there valves adjusted every 40000miles which no one does and that's why most all the trucks are so noisy. Also keep in mind that the motors weigh I think 760 or so alone so I know your talking 1.5 ton truck but that has to be considered hope this helps and didn't bore you to death if you have any question about the cummins or Duramax's lol just ask ill try to help

Actually those are both proper nouns and should have leading capital letters: 'Cummins Diesel' would be correct. But this site isn't about grammar and there are some of those rules I've refused to honor for years.

Almost anything can be 'made' to fit almost anything. Over on the HAMB there is a guy putting a 4BT into similar sized Ford truck that may be a useful read.

Actually the same guy has a build thread on 4BTswaps which would be worth a review.

On OldGMCTrucks.com there is a thread about a guy who put a 6BT into about a '50 GMC 1-ton.

You haven't told us why Cummins or why Diesel. I find description of intended usage and expectation to always help in answering questions.

While I understand Diesel makes a lot of sense in many cases in others you're spending a lot of time to fit into the crowd rather than get more work done for less money.

I'm a gas guy. I even host a forum called www.oldgastowrigs.com, but I'll be following along because I have a fascination with old trucks that actually work for a living.

Thanks to all that have replied to my post I have alot to think about. I was originally going to put a sb chevy 400 into the truck but after thinking about it, I digressed and decided to put a Cummins turbo into it because one I love diesel trucks and two I love Cummins. Not stepping on anyones toe just my favorite. Plus i think a diesel in an old 1.5 ton would be awesome. Does anyone know a website beside ebay to buy one with a trans? Thanks

I wanted a diesel too! I was wanting a VW diesel like what was in my 2006 Jetta. I am now thinking of one of the newer Chevy inline engines 4, 5, 6 cylinders. The 4.2 L I6 Atlas LL8 is what I was thinking of. Fortunately the current engine is running and I have time to think if that is what I want to do or not. Would be kind of cool to have one of the late model Chevy inlines.

I fully support your right to make those choices. I like to believe I'm helping people make the best decisions, but in the end its got to be your truck; your way.

http://www.4btswaps.com/
Sign up and post a wanted add in the wanted section, and or browse the classifieds. You probably need to be a (free) member to do either.

Grigg

Rumor round the campfire..The Frito chip wagons-box vans have the 4BT in them with a 400 turbo..Another cool swap is the Isuzu 3.8.. do and internet search on that switch and you will find an outfit that can sell you the kit..I'm headed this way..

Good Luck!!

Or the TH475 which is a little stouter than the TH400.

i used a 96 dodge cummins complete frame and drivetrain and put my 46 chevy 3/4 on top of the dodge frame i made the entire front clip one piece and flip forward to fit the radiator and stock intercooler stock dodge steering column bolted in with pedal assembly with minor firewall adjustments. My radiator and intercooler are in the lower section of the grill I used a cross flow radiator out of a mid 70's eldorado

Exactly what i am asking bout do you have any build pictures of your truck? Thank you for the post

There is room. Last year I went to a diesel drag and saw a drop-dead gorgeous '46 Chevy with a 12v Cummins. The guy put the '46 cab, box and fenders on a '97 3/4 Dodge frame. Fit like a glove. I have pics on my cell phone that I will try to upload.

Here's the pics:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii189/unholy1racing/0926091539.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii189/unholy1racing/0926091538-1.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii189/unholy1racing/0926091538a.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii189/unholy1racing/0926091538b.jpg

i have pictures of almost everything from start to finish but i do not know how to upload them to the internet i'm a mechanic not a computer fella

Man! that Dodge truck really turns me on.
Maybe I can do that with my 40 Dodge, after I hit the lottery.

the best thing about starting with a drivable 12 valve truck is after i parted out the body i was only into my 12 valve cummins for $300 i am only into my project about $2500

Thanks for the pictures unholy1. Its what i was asking about.

46chummins if you ever get some pics love to see the build. Thanks for the info as well

I have recently purchased a 1952 chevy 3600 for a project. Like yall I love the diesel trucks and definitely the cummins. I am figuring out what I am wanting to do to this truck to make it my own because I want this truck to become my everyday transportation. I work construction so the diesel for power and fuel economy is a must to me. I have also considered buying a complete dodge diesel and just swapping the motor. Do you have any advice for things to plan and look out for? This will be my first diesel swap.