Hey guys. Well this is my first post here. Toward the end of this coming summer I need to make a decision as to what to do with my current pickup, a tired '86 3/4 ton standard cab. It has had some mechanical upgrades and for the most part has been taken care of. It was a construction workhorse for over 15 years, serving under my dad, and for the last 5 has been in my hands. However, it needs some serious help. It is a daily driver, tows snowmobile trailers often, and the occasional skid steer loader trailer. It 350/350 combo, but I've toyed with the idea of putting a diesel in it rather than another gas engine, for the reliability and fuel economy. However, I'm having trouble finding information and help in doing this project. I want good reliable power, fuel economy, as well as a professional look and feel to it. I don't have much for help around here for such a project as most are against the thought of having a diesel engine in our climate. It's either taking on this project or buying a newer rig. I have grown attached to this old pickup and would really like to wake it up. Please send me any info you can on this project. Maybe some of you have done this before. Thanks alot
well... the easiest diesel option isn't gonna wake anything up... I'd swap in a new crate 350 and call it good... it'd be the cheapest, easiest thing to do and you'd be surprised how much just having a fresh motor will help.
A 6.2 diesel swap would be the easiest. Dont expect a ton of power but you will get good fuel economy. You could put on a Banks sidewinder turbo and then you will have decent power. Oh yeah welcome aboard!!waytogo
Hey thanks for the replies. Yeah I could rebuild the 350 that's in it and I know it would make a huge difference in the performance, but eventually there will be a diesel between the frame rails. waytogo I don't really want to buy a new pickup because this one has been extremely reliable. If I do stick to a gas it will be changed to fuel injection. oh and to add to the issue, I need sheetmetal BAD! No thanks to Minnesota salt.
See if you can hunt down a Cummins 4BT (3.9L) from a GM bread van. Excellent torque and economy. waytogo You could get into a 5.9L Cummins from a Dodge... the 12-valve engines were fairly economical - although they are very heavy and a tight fit in a Chevy.
Yeah that's what I'd really like is the 12v Cummins. I know it'd be heavy, but the power potential is incredible. I saw an article in a mag awhile back showing a 12v shoehorned into a mid 90's Ford. The numbers off the dyno were insane while still having decent fuel economy. I'm not sure what the cost would be or where to acquire and engine. Around here, they're not very common.
And I am pretty sure the early 12V only need a fuel line and power to glow plugs and starter to run. That is sweet. There was a guy on another forum I was on that put one in his 96 suburban when his 6.5L took a crap. And I saw one on ebay a while back also. I had a 1985 suburban and I wish I would have done that. I built a late model 350 with roller cam and put the GM TBI fuel inj. system on it. Still didn't have the power I wanted. I wish I would have put a cummins in it, but being in California I didn't know if the smog referee would alow it.
Well now I've kinda changed gears. it will take alot less fabrication to make a 6.5 work. However, I'm not sure which one to use; '94 up electronic or the previous mechanical. I'm also wondering what the differences are as far as power goes.
