Choices

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

P

porterda

Joined
Jul 22, 2004
Threads
24
Messages
102
Location
Georgia
I wanted to get an idea from the experts, so here's my problem. I'm entering the final stages of my "fix-up" on a 1970 Pig. The PO put in a 1981 Chevy 350 bored out to 383 and an NV4500 transmission. Engine runs good, no leaks (now), great power, crappy gas mileage. I'm not sure how many miles are on the engine.
I want to add on a Vintage Air A/C system including their Frontrunner system which includes compressor, alternator, and P/S pump with a serpentine system. Total cost with A/C parts is about $2700.00 plus misc. costs will take me to about $3500.00 (est.)
The question is-- do I spent the money to bolt all this stuff on to an old engine or convert now to a Vortec with everything already there?
Keep in mind that this is not the case where money is no object but I'm building the truck for me to keep not for resale. At least that's my excuse when I sit down and total up everything I've already done (I hope insanity is not catching).
What do you guys think?
If you want to see where we've been, go to:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=35769 and
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=40097
 
I would prefer the fuel injection over hopped-up carb for a long trip anyday... and you should post up an updated pic! Nice build and rig.. I remember seeing the rockers thread and hope your 55 is ready for the Cabo trip. Sounds fun.
 
Porterda,

I think that a lot of this depends on what you want/are able to work on. I made a similar decision about a year ago when I decided to go with a Toyota V8. I am slightly regretting the decision, since it is so complex that if it ever breaks down there isn't going to be much I can do. If I were you, I would keep the carburated V8, and run it until you get into the situation (drastic elevation changes, extreme off camber, etc) that creates a demand for fuel injection. If I really had it to do all over again, I would build a very solid 2F or I would look into the Cummins 4 cylinder turbo diesel engine, found only in the workhorse vans. The diesel is an ISB, and they were great engines!

Ryan.

P.S. Anyone interested in a supercharged 4.7L V8, 4 speed automatic and a fulltime TC. :-)
 
Ryan,
Are you talking about the truck IPOR is working on for you? That is so cool, I can't wait until you finish it. I think you may be right about the simplicity though, and besides the stuff will bolt on to the new engine when the time comes.
 
Jeffrey,
I'll get some pictures up soon- I've made a lot of progress since last time. The trip to Cabo will have wait until next year. This year we surf the East Coast-- Cocoa Beach here we come.
 
porterda said:
Jeffrey,
I'll get some pictures up soon- I've made a lot of progress since last time. The trip to Cabo will have wait until next year. This year we surf the East Coast-- Cocoa Beach here we come.
Click to expand...


sweet, I used to live in SFL and surf around Jupiter and Delray, etc. fun stuff, if you ever make it north easterly, LMK. What rack are you running on the 55 for boards?
 
No rack, just slide 'em in the back window with a towel hanging over the gate to protect the paint. With no A/C, it ought to be nice and toasty driving on A1A
 
scottryana said:
This is the engine I was thinking of.

http://www.cummins.com/na/pdf/en/products/truck/specsheet/4000161.pdf

Ryan.
Click to expand...

this is the engine that I was thining of too, awesome engine, but turns out they are way way expensive and there are some tough complications with getting the correct bolt pattern for them on the rear. They appear to be medium-easy to find but only for $5000 and in new condition only as far as I can tell. They also appear to have a SAE #3 bolt pattern on the rear what is providing to be tough to adapter to most transmissions (it is an industrial generator and machinery pattern). You could get one new from Cummins with the right pattern but they are $10G new. Crazy what they cost but they go into automotive applications like delivery trucks and such that run 100K miles a year in many places..
 
Diesel

Dieselcruiserhead,

This engine was used a lot in the workhorse brand walkthrough trucks. It is tough to find the trucks, since there weren't many of them made, and they are fairly new. Whe I was talking to cummins they would not sell the engine with out a Workhorse VIN, I was told that only Workhorse had paid to use the engines on the road, all other applications were for offroad use only.

Ryan.

dieselcruiserhead said:
this is the engine that I was thining of too, awesome engine, but turns out they are way way expensive and there are some tough complications with getting the correct bolt pattern for them on the rear. They appear to be medium-easy to find but only for $5000 and in new condition only as far as I can tell. They also appear to have a SAE #3 bolt pattern on the rear what is providing to be tough to adapter to most transmissions (it is an industrial generator and machinery pattern). You could get one new from Cummins with the right pattern but they are $10G new. Crazy what they cost but they go into automotive applications like delivery trucks and such that run 100K miles a year in many places..
Click to expand...
 
this is what they told me but that they would still sell it. When I was trying to find one, I looked and looked for a good couple days almost full time (got nearly no actually work done of course, the beauty of being self employed I suppose :rolleyes: ) and turned up next to nothing. Even then the cheapest I found was still $4500-$5500 and most were out of stock regardless... So I eventually gave up and am going back to a 4BT. Which is still an awesome engine but I suppose we all want the tits engine of course :). Funny thing is I have never bought a car for more than $3000 but I am willing to spend $5 on an engine :) I literally called everyone to even corporate wonderbread and frito lay offices, literally could not turn up a single thing, looking for wrecked used trucks, you name it.. I found a guy on turbodieselregister.com who installed one into a Jeep and that is about it. He still paid $4500 for the engine / trans combo. Nice guy but wasn't too helpful particularly with bolt pattern issues/problem. Again, I would love to run one of these but somehow this stuff will have to be figured out. But I think, at least bolt pattern wise, its an issue of finding that one weird part number... Andre
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom