Posted by charlie on July 18, 1999 at 15:22:23:
In Reply to: Modernization Question posted by Winget on July 18, 1999 at 11:00:51:
The M37 kits are Hercules, not Perkins. I've put a Hercules into a M37 and a 48 B1PW with 5 speeds and very satisfactory results.. BTW, I have a stock MU2 winch on the Power Wagon with a reversible PTO on the New Process 540. Most any 4 or 5 speed with a PTO on the driver's side will be compatible with the PTO winch on the Power Wagon; just a matter of a different driveline. I don't have the lever thru the floor; I have a Chelsea push-pull cable on the dash.
Regarding engines: the engine compartment in a Power Wagon, especially a pre-WM300, is pretty short. That makes installing big inline 6s hard or impossible. The only 4s with decent power are of course diesels. A Perkins or a Cummins 4BT suits the character of the truck perfectly, I think. With proper gearing (4.89s and an overdrive of some sort, either separate or 5th gear) the truck can comfortably cruise at 65 mph and get 18 mpg at that speed. If you insist on a gas engine, I'd guess a small block V8, either 318/360 Chrysler or 350 Chevy would seem to be the item. There is some talk that the water pump for a 71 318 is unusually short. I think an overdrive with one of these engines would also be desirable. Otherwise, you'll be running near 3000 rpm at 65 mph with 36-37" tires. Just remember: a good re-power is more than a good motor. It also budgets for proper gearing, good brakes (i.e. front disks), good steering (power assist) and safe tires (Michelins, radial Buckshots or Swampers, or radial 38X15.50R16.5s on new wheels).
I think if I ONLY used the truck off-road and didn't want to invest all that money in anything except a motor I'd just try to find a good flathead or re-build what I had.
Charlie