Info: Considering powering 1967 C20 with Duramax diesel

[Mr.Scott]

Good day to all,

I have a 1967 Chevy C20 without an engine. That is my favorite body style out of any pick-up and really want to get this puppy on the road. I have always been a high-pro Chevy small-block kind of guy, but I am wanting to step into the Diesel world for the torque and economy.

The engine that used to be in this truck is now pushing dad's '65 Chevelle wagon down the 1/4 mile in the mid-12's. When it was in the truck, it got somewhere around 5-8 mpg. Not such a great match for the truck.

With no need for any kind of emissions bs or a need to go through DEQ, how complex would it be to install a Duramax as far as electrical, fuel lines, engine controls, etc?

I have a pretty good understanding of simple farm tractor diesel engines but that's about it. Any good places to learn more about the Duramax engines? Comments?

Thanks in advance.
Scott

 

[Burn Down]

Welcome! They are my favorite as well.

Your at the right place. There are several places to get a stand alone harness, PPE, RPM Motorsports, BT diesel works I think can do them as well. Or if your not scared of wiring you could build your own...

If your somewhat mechanically inclined you can pull it off.

This guy stuffed one in a 67' camaro. Brett Deustch has one in a c10 as well.
http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44381&highlight=camaro
http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55226&highlight=brett+c10

 

[Muff]

Good luck. I have a big back window 65 pickup that currently has a 496 stroker in it. It will be getting a d-max/Allison combo and become my daily driver hopefully this winter. Why by a new truck when you can just keep rebuilding the old ones!

 

[MAXX IT OUT]

What are you planning on using for your transmission? The Allison is to big and I don't think if your cab is in good shape you will want to wreck it by cutting it up to fit the Allison into it. I have been planning on using a 4l80e or turbo 400 as the cheapest and easiest solution.

 

[MACKIN]

What are you planning on using for your transmission? The Allison is to big and I don't think if your cab is in good shape you will want to wreck it by cutting it up to fit the Allison into it. I have been planning on using a 4l80e or turbo 400 as the cheapest and easiest solution.

Or a Dodge transmission

 

[MAXX IT OUT]

Or a Dodge transmission

Or a Ford transmission. If you don't have a built engine and race all the time, then there is no point in spending that much on a transmission.

 

[Mr.Scott]

What are you planning on using for your transmission? The Allison is to big and I don't think if your cab is in good shape you will want to wreck it by cutting it up to fit the Allison into it. I have been planning on using a 4l80e or turbo 400 as the cheapest and easiest solution.

Would a T400 bolt-on to the engine and flywheel? It used to be pretty convenient that most of the old 6, 8, and even some 4 cylinder engines were pretty interchangeable. I conveniently already have a T400.

I must say, I am pretty fond of the Allison turboshaft engines that power the MD500 helicopters. I wouldn't mind modifying the tranny hump in the cab but wouldn't want to do much more than that.

Thanks

 

[MAXX IT OUT]

Yes it will bolt up, there is a couple cars that have have run TH400s. If your willing to put a Allison into, it will take some work, because that Allison is a big girl.

 

[duratothemax]

If you keep the TH400, you'll probably want to run some pretty low ratio rear axle to keep cruising RPMs down seeing as there is no overdrive...

Ben