Posted by AAA on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at 9:21AM :
Hi Charlie,
Dodge offered Perkins diesels engines in Export Vehicles in the 1950s, known as the P series engines (P4/P6). It is not uncommon to find diesel powered cars as well, especially in countries like Spain, Israel, or India. I did see a 57 Plymouth Fury for sale in the US a few years back that had a factory fitted P4.
A Dodge press release dated January 1962, announced the availability of the 6.354 for the USA, an upgraded version of the P6, would be offered in the C and D series 500-600 medium duty trucks, also the L600 tilt cab. The C and D series trucks were known as PC/PD 500-600. I just bought a 1963 PC500 that I need to go pick up in KS, and I own a rare (P)W300 that is factroy equipped with a 6.354.
It is a strong engine, but I think it may have been a bit underpowered for a fully loaded 500-600. It was really built for the short haul tranportation, or city use.
I believe, and have heard that Dodge service depts had trouble keeping them running correctly, likely, there were not enough of them around to provide good experience to the mechanics.
The 6.354 is a world wide distributed engine, and they were upgraded thoughtout the years up until the 1980-90s, replaced by the current Phaser series. You will find this engine in marine and industrial applications, in turbo form T6.354, or the larger 6.372. Massey Ferguson bought Perkins in the 1950s, so they are widely used in those tractors, as well as Olivers, White, etc.
This was the engine of choice for guys converting there Ford, Chevy, International 3/4 - 1 ton trucks thoughout the 1970s and 1980s. They seem to appear in just about everything. It is really a great engine if taken care of properly, and I would not be surprised if Cummins used it as a model to build the 6BT. I installed a T6.354 in a W300, and the truck is a BEAST. Various transmissions can be used if you can find an SAE#3 flywheel housing to use. The engine weight is 1100 dressed, and uses a whopping 16.5 quarts of oil.
The smaller 4.236 was also available in Dodges, but I have not seen any literature or vehicles that reveal exactly what model it was offered in. I have a 1941
WC-12 that has a T4.236 and it is good running, strong truck.
I love the Perkins, obviously, for nostalgic reasons, but would recommend going with a Cummins for parts availability and cost, if the vehicle is to be used on a daily basis.
Aaron
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