57 Chevy pickup Diesel? (suggestions for swap?)

[offalot]

I'm personally a fan of the OM617 Mercedes turbo diesel (3.0) It has enough power to push a big heavy benz sedan, are arguably one of the most reliable motors of all time, they are simple to work on and can be had cheap. A sprinter motor is great but very pricey to work on.

[2000neon]

I would suggest an LBZ duramax diesel. There have been a few that have found their ways into monte carlos and chevelles, and all sorts of other chevys. I was just reading about a red 70 chevelle in new jersey, the car makes close to 1000 ft lbs of torque and gets 33 mpg averages, including driving it hard.

Chevy transmissions will work with the motor too!

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

The best were the C-code 82-84 motor because of the small cups, if you make a frankenstein using the smaller cups on a newer motor (like a 6.5 for example) you can improve its fuel economy at the expense of a bit of power.

That is what I have, a 6.5L block with 6.2L everything else. I kept the C-code heads for this reason.

[JQmile]

Cummins 4bt. Nothing else should even be an option. Compact, and bolts right up to a TH400 transmission. And the mpg should be there too. Also, only one wire (starter) as far as electrical work goes.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by JQmile

Cummins 4bt. Nothing else should even be an option. Compact, and bolts right up to a TH400 transmission. And the mpg should be there too. Also, only one wire (starter) as far as electrical work goes.

If money is no object,

as you can buy 10 6.2s for the price of one 4bt.

The C-code motor gets good fe but the 4bt has more power, although a big behoth tends to pull tree stumps better despite its power rating.

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by offalot

I'm personally a fan of the OM617 Mercedes turbo diesel (3.0) It has enough power to push a big heavy benz sedan, are arguably one of the most reliable motors of all time, they are simple to work on and can be had cheap. A sprinter motor is great but very pricey to work on.

I test drove a 1980 F150 with an OM617. Great combination! But I'd go with a 240D manual trans. I'm not a fan of any automatics, but the Mercedes auto is my least favorite so far.

I'm putting a 6.2L in a 1980 Chevy. It's not a great engine, but I have it already. I'd prefer a Cummins 4BT, but I'd have to sell the truck to afford the engine.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

If money is no object,
The C-code motor gets good fe but the 4bt has more power, although a big behoth tends to pull tree stumps better despite its power rating.

My C-code headed 6.5L should make 250hp and nearly 400 torque no problem.
Those numbers are for C-code 6.2L engines running hot boost.
I will have an intercooler and water injection.

The only 2 numbers I care about is 20+mpg towing and being able to maintain speed on slight inclines and be able to crest east coast mountians at more than 35mph (afton mountian VA, I-64 mile marker 100, west bound ).

[skyking]

A 6bt would be cheaper than a 4bt, those things are like gold indeed. The all-chev option mentioned above is certainly the most painless. With guys around knowing which engine/cup/pump to get/avoid/run-away-from, it is a whole lot more attractive.
I only know the 6bt and it is easily capable of that economy, but at greater cost. Not really economy any more as others have mentioned.

[oil pan 4]

Yeah get the #162 casting, the small valve c-code heads.
They get good fuel milage and don't crack like the later large valve heads.
Idealy you should get the J-code, stanadyne #4911 injector pump. It can shoot more fuel into the engine and do it faster than the c-code pump, it also has the fuel pumping capacity to keep up with the added air from a turbo.
Out of the 5 intake manifolds you can get for the 6.2/6.5L serries I have tested 3 (C,J and F code) and believe the J-code manifold is best.

[offalot]

Originally Posted by Gasoline Fumes

I test drove a 1980 F150 with an OM617. Great combination! But I'd go with a 240D manual trans. I'm not a fan of any automatics, but the Mercedes auto is my least favorite so far.

I'm putting a 6.2L in a 1980 Chevy. It's not a great engine, but I have it already. I'd prefer a Cummins 4BT, but I'd have to sell the truck to afford the engine.

I hear ya there. On my 617 swap I went with the auto just cuz I had the whole package already but if I ever get time I plan on somehow switching it to a manual, probably with an adapter plate. I just can't see putting all that effort into switching to a 4 speed 240 trans.
But i paid $400 for the motor/trans if anyone can point out the advantages that make a 4BT worth 10 times more then that, I'm all ears.