The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Planning a diesel project and want your opinions.

I have a 4400 chevy that I am going to build into a diesel hauler or maybe even a wrecker if I can get it reliable enough. I have already bought a IFS motorhome frame with 19.5 tires and I believe a 4.11 ratio rear. My question is I have a 4bt, a 6bt, and I finally found a 453T. I really like Griggs truck and honestly that is what I have planned but I have these cummins motors sitting in my shop. I want to see what you would use in this truck if you had these choices. I have an allison trans for it and I am looking for a roadranger in case I go the detroit route. I am talking about actual fit in the truck and what modification/fabrication would be required. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Brad

the more trans that you install.takes nmore hp, remember that. are you going to be running on the highway or just around town
ron

Roadrangers don't always come on detroits, so don't think that with a Detroit you need a Roadranger...
You could use either a small roadranger or an Allison on any of your listed engine choices.

about actual fit and modifications.
The 4Bt shouldn't require any or very minimal sheetmetal work.
The 6BT will require huge amounts of firewall work.
The 4-53T requires some firewall work, don't need any extra length, just need more width to the existing indentation.

I used a 3" body lift on my truck to make some of the clearance problems work out.

Grigg

oringinally i was toying with the idea of a 4bt, but then changed my mind to put a 4-53 in my 3800, and ended up moving the firewall in about 4." I then had to shift the pedals away from the middle of the firewall (gas pedal was the hardest to figure out to make it comforatably driveable). Im not sure if the 4400 engine bay is longer, but I found out i could have saved a couple inches using an electric fan, and possibly mount the radiator in front of the support.

I wouldn't use a 4BT. They shake rattle & roll & are highly underpowered.

Welcome,
Do you have any pictures?

I have a plan for my gas pedal, but it will be moved slightly as well.

4400 engine bay is same size as a pickup's.

I put my engine as far forward as it could possibly be, just enough room to get a fan belt between the radiator support and the front pulley, electric fan is the plan. With it that far forward the firewall indentation is deep enough, but not wide enough by about 6".

Better yet is a GMC truck, I'm reasonably sure the engine can be placed far enough forward to not cut the firewall at all. to start with the firewall to radiator length is longer than the Chevy, and it looks very simple to move the radiator forward another 1.5".
a GMC 2 ton with 4-53T (not mine) is the next project coming in my shop, already have the parts here and measurements look favorable.

Grigg

Hi Grigg, Im "tankoma" over in the 4bt swaps forum
pics
http://s131.photobucket.com/home/diseasel/index

shot of the firewall

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p290/diseasel/50%20chevy/Picture006.jpg

I wondered, but thought you were in PA, not NJ?

Grigg

Well Grigg once again you have told me something I need to think about. I have a 300 GMC that I really wanted to do this to in the beginning. I knew the 6bt requires a lot of cutting the firewall. I honestly have not bought the truck with the 453T but it has a 5 speed and 2 speed rear. Guestion is how would you mount the radiator in the GMC with the grill supports in the way. That is the only reason I have not already built this truck. I plan to run this truck on the interstate and in town. I really like 10 speed idea but the allison is also a great idea for the city where I will use this truck most. I have to do some serious thinking about this.
Thanks
Brad

I'm right along the river in NJ but my work space was on the PA side, somewhere in my album Brad I think I have a snapshot of the radiator and the gap between the motor 6" at the most I could have saved if I modified the front crossmember, ill try and get out and take some measurments

The "big trucks" are longer from the firewall the the grill, but not by much. I think the 1 1/2 - 2 ton has about 2 inch longer front fenders.

the big trucks are no longer than the small trucks from radiator support to grill. (I have a 5300 clip on my 3100 so dont try to argue)

As far as a 4BTA or 4BTAA, 300hp is max that you can get easily. The 6B variants can be pushed to well over 1500hp with the available parts as there is a much higher following

the 4B's do not have a balance shaft which is why they shake like a dog passing a peach pit. However you can run the front damper from a 6B to help (which is what they did with the Marine engines)

Long story short - Run what you want.

Thanks for the replys but I am still unsure what I want to use. I would love to use a 453T but it will require a lot more work but it would be the coolest thing on the road or at the car shows. I am thinking hard about this and I honestly don't know what to do. I guess I have more thinking to do.
Thanks
Brad

Don't worry yourself with what's the "coolest thing on the road or at the car shows"
Instead pick an engine that you like for what it is and that you're familiar with and comfortable working on, or willing to learn about.

When picking engines for my trucks never once did I consider what other people might think is "cool" I picked what I thought would be useful, fun, and enjoyable for me, as I'll be the one working on and driving the things.

It's your decision that's for sure.

Grigg

I already have a silver 8v92 475HP turned up to 500 and a 6V92 and that is why I decided I really want a 453T but I have to buy a truck for this engine. Just have to love that detroit sound. What would a 76 chevy 6000 with a 453T and a 5 speed be worth? The owner swears it is rebuilt and I have seen the recipts on the rebuild. The truck has a lot of rust and the brake lines are rusted. I think he wants to much for it and I wanted to see what you thought it is worth. I really like the idea of the detroit and the cummins 6bt sounds like a lot of fabrication to make it look right.

Thanks
Brad

Well, a 76 model truck shouldn't have been a turbo 4-53 from the start.
So before guessing at a price would want to check the model and serial number on the block and see what that tells us, also would want to see some pictures of the engine.

Grigg

Where might I find these numbers on the engine? My cousin is going to look and take pics of the truck and the engine tomorrow and wanted to know where to look for these numbers.
Thanks
Brad

theres a data plate on the valve cover, get a snapshot of the motor to

Same numbers will be on the block on the right side very near the rear and top on a machined flat pad.

Something like 4D-1234567 and 5043-1234.
Could give better examples if I had a book here nut that's the format at least. Could also be a 4DB-12345...

Grigg

Valvecover may not be original, and often the tags are missing. Id always check the numbers on the block first.

Thanks Guys I will have my cousin look for those numbers on Monday. He found the truck for me and I have seen the truck and it was a 453T but I did not think about the engine numbers at the time. Storm was comming and it started to pour as I opened the hood. Will have to check it.
Thanks
Brad

put a 6.2 in it

I honestly know where I can get 2 6.2 engines for free but I hate them. I had one in a 87 dually and I took it out and replaced it with a 454. Absolutely hated the motor but thanks for the thought.
Thanks
Brad

poor mileage? did it grenade? or just too noisy and slow?

poor mileage and could not keep it running just constantly had engine problems with it.
Thanks
Brad