Posted by RDavis on Saturday, February 08, 2003 at 4:40PM :
Does anyone know of any inline 6 diesel engines within a couple inches of the same size as the 251 that produces at least 130hp or better? I'm just stuck on it being a inline 6. Why do 6 cyl diesels under 300cu.in. seem to be uncommon? Any particular
reason diesels usually go from 4cyl to big heavy 6's with hardly no moderate sized 6's?
I stopped by to have another look at the wrecked 76 scout w/factory chry/nissan SD-33 6-cyl diesel with 727 torqueflite tranny. At 95hp with hi-torque, it would have approx. the same power as my 251. It is a relatively high reving diesel rated at max. hp at 3600 rpms. The owner even said it was a dog until you got the revs up around 2800-3200 rpms, then it seemed to have plenty of power. It is about the same size as a 251,length & width are to my liking.
The later SD-33T had a turbo but only produced 9 more hp.
I know a person could learn to live with and accept a 4 banger that had plenty of power but I'm stuck on a 6 . I guess its the way they fill out the eng. compartment while not crowding your working room. I guess if I find the perct size 6cyl diesel, it will probably be so expensive I can't afford it.
So, do you guys think it would be worth the time and trouble to swap in a SD-33 that has no more power than a 251 but is a diesel and inline 6 of the right size for a WM300?
Follow Ups: