Posted by Charlie on April 17, 1999 at 00:49:29:
In Reply to: Re: diesel conversion for PW/4-cl diesels posted by joel on April 16, 1999 at 22:15:50:
Actually, not all NA diesels are sluggish. My Perkins 4.236 is really a torque monster. If a sufficient number of gears is supplied to harness the efficient range of this motor (about 1200-2500 rpm) it goes. I had it in a 69 Landcruiser FJ40 with a NP540 and drove coast to coast the summer of 77. I remember the sound of the air burbling thru the huge tractor type oil bath air cleaner. 2500 rpm at 65 mph, 22-23 mpg on that trip.
But the price for all that torque is the vibration that comes from a 5" stroke. I always had vibration problems with motor mount breakage on that motor in that vehicle. The next installation of that motor will have very heavy motor mounts but quite flexible rubber insulators.
Those Japanese 2-3 ton trucks if they have fours would be excellent for a PW/M37. They tend to be 3.5-4.1 liter 4s, turbocharged, therefore putting out 100-150HP and 180-270 ft-lb torque. I'm familiar with the Toyota B series, I have an early 3.0L B in a Landcruiser that I've turboed. The 14B is 3.7L, you might see a 14BT or even a 15BT (the MegaCruiser - Hummer imitation - powerplant). The number "1" before the second digit indicates direct injection. Mostly they're excellent motors. Also they come with nice 5 or even 6 speed all synchro cast iron gearboxes with SAE standard PTOs. Toyota has/had a 5spd "SuperShift" with an integral splitter to make it a 10 speed. Quite a catch with a 14BT if you could make it work in a Power Wagon.
Other 4 cyl diesel that are appropriate for old Dodges: Hercules 3.7DT/DTA. The DTA version is intercooled, 125HP@2800, 268 ft-lb@2200. That's what's in my M37. Sold by Paul Caudell dba MARS, Nashville Indiana, 812-988-2330. Also Perkins 4.236T (turbo version of my first ever diesel), 110HP@2800, 240ft-lb@16-1800, sold by Perkins dealers all over the place and Adelman's (?www.adelmans.com). Perkins 1004T, modernized version of same motor, 4.1L, maybe less vibration, 261 ft-lb torque, 110HP. Cummins 4BT, many versions, most powerful is 327ft-lb, 122HP@2500, 130HP@2300. A Detroit Diesel 3-53N will fit in an M37 if lifted a solid 4", perhaps a Power Wagon also. Very unique historic loud, about 5-10%
Charlie