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Tractor engine into vehicles

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Sunny 4 acres

04-21-2007 18:57:22

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Has anybody ever put a tractor engine into an automobile? I would like to try to put a 2-53 GM into a small pickup truck. Would a tractor engine be able to effectively move an automobile?

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RodInNS

04-23-2007 08:55:17

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

Actually, the concept is catching on.... I think Dodge did a few of them with the 359 CDC Cummins.
Can't see why a 4 banger wouldn't work if the power is spec'd right. I think the 2 hole 53 might be a bit slack though.... Mabey a 3 turbo with the big injectors if you could stand listening to it.

Rod

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Mike (WA)

04-22-2007 09:19:32

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

Your proposed conversion reminds me of some auto wag in his annual preview of new cars, talking about a diesel Mercedes, back in the '60's- "You may be ready for life in the slow lane, but this is life in the bike path." Just not enough ponies. Main problem with many industrial engines is the narrow power band, meaning you either have to have a Brownie and a 2 speed, and shift constantly like a semi, or overpower it enough to cancel out any mileage advantage.

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Dave Anderson

04-22-2007 08:12:32

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

A few years back in Farmshow magazine they had an article about a guy who put a Deere into his pickup. I think it was in one of their videos too. I put a deer into my Isuzu NPR last September. It rolled about 10-15 times and came out under the rear axle. It was pretty dead.

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1206SWMO

04-22-2007 06:14:32

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

Over the years I have seen the following swaps done in my area.

242 Ford in to a mid 60's Ford F-100
301 Allis in to a mid 70's Ford F-250
354 Perkins in to a mid 70's Ford F-250
4-53 Detroit in to a 1975 IH 200

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T_Bone

04-22-2007 05:26:33

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

There's several mfg's that produce a 4cyl diesel in a small pick-up and have for years, 70's and 80's were popular. Most were aluminum head diesels so the first time they got over heated, it ruined a head.

I ran a VW 48hp diesel for chasing geese when I was hunting. It always got 52mpg and had no problem running 60mph while getting 52mpg. I put on over 300k on that 2400lb car. The engine was rated at 5000rpm. Only car that ever made me money as it saved me $8k in fuel over my expense.

My neighbor took a 6cyl Ford tractor engine an installed it to a regular size pick-up in the early 70's. He said the engine had out lasted 3 pick-up body's. He had to have a adapter plate made as he also installed a truck 5spd for a OD gear. When he swaped truck body's, he would move the cross members, engine, tranny and fuel tank.

T_Bone

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Mike M

04-22-2007 04:50:50

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

Now if you really want to do that, start with something known for great fuel economy. There has got to be a way to lighten up/cut up a JD720 or 730 diesel and use one of those. Sure would be neat to see what kinda MPG you could make.May even work best as a hybrid ?

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RAW in IA

04-22-2007 04:19:30

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

Many years ago there there was a guy here in NE IA who put a Duetz in a pickup. I was told it had all kinds of torque in the hills butr don't know much more about it.

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Wardner

04-22-2007 02:23:47

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

I installed a '60's 4-53 ftom a Chevy school bus into a IH '47 KB-5, ton and half truck. Power was similar to the 283 cu in Chevy that I put in earlier. Both were far superior to the original 233 cu in 6 cylinder flathead.

The 4-53 came with an overdrive five speed. I also changed the rear end for a two speed axle and better ratio (higher speed). It has been awhile since I have driven it but I think 2800 rpm equals 65 mph. The truck would start the day at 18,000 GVW and finish at around 11,000 GVW.

I don't believe the 2-53 was offered with a four valve head. I also think the factory limited the RPM to somewhere around 2000-2200. These limitations will reduce output to around 35-40hp and a top speed that is probably not legal on the Interstate.

You would be better off with a 3-53. The four valve engine has a factory rating of 90hp at 2800. It can be reworked with a turbo and big injectors. Weight will be a factor so a compact truck may not be a good choice. The 3-53 is available in aluminum.

Don't bother with a radio. You won't be able to hear it.

Yahoo Groups has a DD forum. That's an excellent place to ask questions about your project.

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buickanddeere

04-21-2007 20:34:04

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

Link

329T or other six cylinder Dubuque Deere engine.

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NC wayne

04-21-2007 20:16:08

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

Have a friend that put a 4-53, with an Allison auto behind it, in a 70's Surburban. Now that was one pulling truck. His was a pretty nice home made swap but you could tell it wasn't "factory" He told me when he was out in the Midwest years ago he got the idea for the swap from a company that did a "towing conversion" to the larger full sized pickup trucks. He said when they got through with one you couldn't tell it wasn't a factory job.....As for swapping a 2-53 into a truck I have to agree with the other post, it simply won't be high enough HP to bother and even then you'd have to change to a governor compatable with highway driving. I don't have my Detroit book here with me at the moment but if I remember right your not gonna be getting but maybe 50 HP out of the 2-53. Granted their some strong horses but just not enough to justify a swap in my book....Still like a friend that wants to put a 2000+ HP Allison aircraft engine in a pickup it's be something neat to see if you did it. Good luck whatever you decide.

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Merlin in Saint Louis

04-21-2007 19:22:34

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

Hello! Yes...you can put a tractor engine into a truck. A Detroit 2-53 would be a bit small, unless you put it into a very light truck. I have seen several older GMC and Chevy trucks with a Detroit 3-53 or 4-53 installed. It is a lot of work! The other concern is that you need to switch from an industrial governor to an automotive governor. Industrial governors have a built-in speed droop, whereas automotive governors do not. On a Detroit, this is not too bad a job. On other engines, it requires removing and rebuilding the injector pump governor assembly. The total weight of the engine is also a concern. The Cummins 6BT5.9 is an example of an engine that works well for both trucks (i.e. Dodge) and tractors (i.e. AGCO/White). IHC/Navistar engines such as the DT-360 and D-312 also work well, as does the older D-282 and D-301. Best wishes for a successful project: I want to do one myself some day!
Merlin

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hardscrabble

04-21-2007 19:22:31

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Re: Tractor engine into vehicles in reply to Sunny 4 acres, 04-21-2007 18:57:22

Fellow up here in NW ND built a motorcycle, and then put a 2-53 into it. The bike must be at least 10 feet long, with 20 inch truck wheels, and you can hear that Detroiter coming down the highway several miles away!

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