Posted by CGarbee on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 at 1:36PM :
In Reply to: 4BT Cummins Motor posted by Shawn S on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 at 12:12PM :
You can get them out of a lot of different applications such as generators/construction equipment and the like, but the automotive rated units (what you want for a conversion) are found in such things as the Chevy P30 chasis (now the Frieghtliner P30 chasis) used for such things as Frito Lay, Entenmans Bakery and other delivery trucks. UPS also uses them in some of thier offerings.
I have three yards listed on my website that sell takeout 4BT/BTA engines that I have either delt with or know folks who have whom report that they had good deals...
The unit in my '53 M37 produces 105hp/286lb-ft and with a 0.73:1 overdrive and 4.89 gears (with 900r16XZL tires), I get 15-17mpg at 75mph and the ability to idle over a lot of obstructions off road. It was a swap well worth the effort.
Other folks have reported similar success with transplants into such things as caryalls and M715 5/4 ton trucks as well as IH Scouts and Landcruisers. They are a popular engine for M37 conversions these days...
I think that the effort required to install a 6BT/BTA into one of these trucks is a bit too much for the return since the engine is longer than the engine bay and about a 1/3rd heavier than the four cylinder engine. However, some folks have stuffed them into M37's...
Take a look at my page for M37 info, and look at Paul's photo page (link is on my site) for how he installed one into his caryall...
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