Diesel Engine Sales in California?

[biomax]

Just heard the harsh news that any engine I put into my '62 will have had to been sold originally in California (or California-certified).

What diesel engines were California-legal (certified) and produced after 1988 that I can swap into my '62?

Thanks.

Robert

 

[lovetoski]

None from Toyota.

There's a thread in the diesel section on gm 6.2 swaps...

 

[cruiser_guy]

I think it has to be originally sold in California IN THE SAME CLASS of vehicle as well! In other words, unless a 6.2 was sold in a vehicle that is the same class as a '60 series LandCruiser you cannot use it either.

 

[biomax]

True, but any Chevy pickup should work from what I can tell.

The question is whether Chevy 6.2L diesels were sold in California from 1989-

Thanks.

Robert

 

[Downey]

My understanding is the "class of vehicle" only refers to "car" or "truck". Further, my understanding is that you can not put a truck engine in a car (possibly because they have less emissions equipment on them), but that you can put a car OR truck engine in a truck. California considers Landcruisers "trucks" last I heard. This then should leave the door open for a whole array of engine choices???

 

[ntsqd]

The distinction used to be between "Heavy Duty" (meaning 3/4t & heavier) and "Light Duty" (meaning 1/2t & passenger cars). So find a configuration to match from a 1/2t truck rather than a 3/4t.

 

[ChuckB]

The distinction used to be between "Heavy Duty" (meaning 3/4t & heavier) and "Light Duty" (meaning 1/2t & passenger cars). So find a configuration to match from a 1/2t truck rather than a 3/4t.

That's what the requirements were last time I looked into it.

Honestly with an '88, I don't think you have a lot of options. Try this link Diesel Conversions by 4x4Labs

A VW TDI or MB OM617 are legal as long as the engine is the same or newer than the vehicle it is going into, however from what I have seen a 6.2/6.5 or 4BT are not technically legal.

Having said that, some people have managed to get some pretty interesting combinations registered in CA. So it's kinda luck of the draw in some respects.

 

[ntsqd]

Some K5's came with 6.2's, so they were available in a 1/2t configuration. Can't say that I've ever seen a stock K5 with a 6.5, but I have seen a first gen Tahoe 6.5t, so a 6.5/6.5t may be possible.

 

[VETTE60]

i don't think the class matters. i have a corvette motor in my 60. what the carb regulations state is that it must be the same year or newer and have all of the original emissions on it. therefore, if it has been registered in cali, i.e. a 4bt from a frito-lay van in california and newer than your rig, you are ok. or a 6.2 from a chevy. the class does not matter. you can go to the california air resources board website and it clearly states the regulations and you can also find the nearest referee to you and go for a visit.

 

[ntsqd]

My info came from a friend who was a referee. Though that was a couple years ago, I've not seen anything that conflicts with it. HD's have a lower set of emissions standards than do the LD's, which is why there at least used to be the distinction. They did not want a vehicle that formerly was held to the higher set of stds. to be converted to the lower set; but they were perfectly happy with a lower std vehicle getting converted to meet the higher stds.

 

[biomax]

The problem is that due to California's budget cuts, the referee program is temporarily shut down. Check out the website. Call the number. You can't get in touch with anyone to ask questions. I want this to be totally legal, without any chance of them balking. So I think I'm going to go with a 6.2 Chevy engine.

I'd rather a 12HT or a 1HD-T but neither were sold in a vehicle in California, so I can't go that route.

I've found a few nice crate 6.2's that I think will go nicely. Now to find a place that can do a chevy into LC swap (can't find one off the bat - there are lots of other diesel swappers...)

Thanks everyone!

Robert

 

[ntsqd]

Where, generally, in KA are you?

 

[biomax]

Sorry - updated my profile - SF Bay Area

 

[Randy88FJ62]

We need to find a way to make toyota diesel engines look like midsize american diesels. I assume that's completely illegal and would never pass but it would be tempting.

 

[ntsqd]

Not exactly Bay area, but my first thot is Trevor at WFO. Worth a call anyway.

 

[ChuckB]

My info came from a friend who was a referee. Though that was a couple years ago, I've not seen anything that conflicts with it. HD's have a lower set of emissions standards than do the LD's, which is why there at least used to be the distinction. They did not want a vehicle that formerly was held to the higher set of stds. to be converted to the lower set; but they were perfectly happy with a lower std vehicle getting converted to meet the higher stds.

I called CARB a couple years ago and that's exactly what they told me... I think talking to the referee is the real answer, if they agree then you are good to go.

 

[151fab]

Did dodge put the 6bt into any 1/2 ton trucks? That would be a way better engine in my opinion?

 

[ntsqd]

Not that I'm aware of. I've friend quite into them, & every one he's ever had was a 3/4t.
He bought one for a project a while back, 950 lbs on the pallet. Which means that it's probably OK weight-wise, but what about length-wise? I gotta think that the 4BT is an easier fit, which makes it the more common swap.

 

[VETTE60]

Not that I'm aware of. I've friend quite into them, & every one he's ever had was a 3/4t.
He bought one for a project a while back, 950 lbs on the pallet. Which means that it's probably OK weight-wise, but what about length-wise? I gotta think that the 4BT is an easier fit, which makes it the more common swap.

they did not put it in 1/2 ton trucks because the engine weighs over 1000 lbs with fluids and the 1/2 ton front axel is not up to it. the same reason why they don't offer it in the power wagon (would be awesome though). it is way heavier than the straight 6, and way way heavier than an ls1. I have a cummins and love it, best motor ever made....but prolly not practical for a 60, although it can and has been done. and the 4bt is great, but also a lot heavier, and a lot of vibration and loud....although i would do this swap next cruiser.

 

[JuanGrande]

I started down this path earlier this year... I had many discussions with a smog referee in Sacramento. Short answer - your only engine choice other than a car diesel is a GM 6.2 or 6.5TD. If it is a 6.5TD, you may have to grab the transmission that was behind the motor if the computer controlled anything related to the transmission. The sweet year is 1994 6.5TD that had non-computer controlled injection. I decided against the swap for two reasons: 1) my truck only has 52,000 original miles and i figured that I was swapping a reliable engine (2F) for a not so reliable motor (GM 6.2/6.5), and 2) cost. Spending $10-15K on a swap for an engine that isn't as good as the 2F didn't make sense once I thought about it for a while. I really want a diesel, but can't justify the GM 6.2/6.5.

Jon