SBC to diesel

[bwiygul]

So the PO put in a SBC with a th350...I’m just getting ready to do a frame off and curious.. I’ve done some searching but can’t seem to find something really clarifying this...

Which diesel would be the easiest swap in from a SBC?

Can the th350 and the rest of the drivetrainremain or do I have to replace them?

This would be pretty major project for me so I’m hoping to keep the rest of the drivetrain components as they are.

This will be a 50/50 street/trail truck so I’m not super concerned with highway manners per se. But 65 would be a nice cruising speed if I do. Thanks.

Btw I’m BRAND NEW to the diesel option so go easy on me. Thanks.

 

[handcannon]

The 6.2/6.5 GM diesel is supposed to be a direct bolt up in ALL SBC situations is what I've read. Haven't done any swapping yet, but if I can come up with the funds that is what my plans for the future are. The biggest concern will be the size of the engine compartment of the vehicle you are swapping into. I've briefly seen a 40 with a 6.2 in it. Tight quarters, but it's possible.

I know for a fact that the 6.2/6.5 will bolt up to the 700R4 as I have an 83 Chevy pickup with that combo. I think that the motor mounts will be a direct fit also, but I haven't tried it yet. I think that the 4.11 gearing won't be the best for the GM diesel, but no direct experience yet. Maybe the 3.73 that the later 40's had. My feeling is that the 6.2 I have has as much power and torque, or more, as my 1971 F motor has.

You need to be aware that the 6.2/6.5 GM diesel is designed as a light duty diesel, but the built-in problems can be overcome. Parts for it are easy to come by, and cheap compared to other diesels. Here is one web site that is all about the GM diesel. www.thetruckstop.us Go there and start reading about the 6.2/6.5. Also go to www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html This gear ratio calculator will let you play around with lots of different tire sizes, gears, transmissions, etc.

Don

 

[bwiygul]

The 6.2/6.5 GM diesel is supposed to be a direct bolt up in ALL SBC situations is what I've read. Haven't done any swapping yet, but if I can come up with the funds that is what my plans for the future are. The biggest concern will be the size of the engine compartment of the vehicle you are swapping into. I've briefly seen a 40 with a 6.2 in it. Tight quarters, but it's possible.

I know for a fact that the 6.2/6.5 will bolt up to the 700R4 as I have an 83 Chevy pickup with that combo. I think that the motor mounts will be a direct fit also, but I haven't tried it yet. I think that the 4.11 gearing won't be the best for the GM diesel, but no direct experience yet. Maybe the 3.73 that the later 40's had. My feeling is that the 6.2 I have has as much power and torque, or more, as my 1971 F motor has.

You need to be aware that the 6.2/6.5 GM diesel is designed as a light duty diesel, but the built-in problems can be overcome. Parts for it are easy to come by, and cheap compared to other diesels. Here is one web site that is all about the GM diesel. www.thetruckstop.us Go there and start reading about the 6.2/6.5. Also go to www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html This gear ratio calculator will let you play around with lots of different tire sizes, gears, transmissions, etc.

Don

Good info. Thanks!

 

[roscoFJ73]

Which diesel would be the easiest swap in from a SBC?

It depends on how much you want to spend and what model to a lesser extent. I would get a 1HZ (Toyota 6 cyl diesel) and H55F gearbox.

 

[gerg]

After just putting a turbo and intercooler into a bj42 I had zero room left after fitting the air box and piping. I'd have to say if I could choose any Diesel engine I'd be looking for an inline of some sort. Those engine bays are tight to say the least.

 

[bwiygul]

After just putting a turbo and intercooler into a bj42 I had zero room left after fitting the air box and piping. I'd have to say if I could choose any Diesel engine I'd be looking for an inline of some sort. Those engine bays are tight to say the least.
View attachment 1598117

That’s the 6.2 Chevy?

 

[bwiygul]

It depends on how much you want to spend and what model to a lesser extent. I would get a 1HZ (Toyota 6 cyl diesel) and H55F gearbox.

Thanks. What kind of numbers are they making? Would you say that’s the best over all diesel for a 40? For a daily or a wheeler? Mpg’s Pretty good? Also considering not wanting to have to tote as much fuel.

 

[gerg]

That's a 3.4l 3B. It's a small 4cyl engine to say the least.

 

[doug720]

Search for posts by flcruiser as he has done several 6.2/6.5 and other diesel swaps into 60's.

 

[PAToyota]

The 6.2/6.5 would fit about the same as the SBC. The turbo on the 6.5TD will likely take some shoehorning, though. A 6.2 or mechanical injection 6.5 will be an easier swap than the electronics of the later 6.5s. As @handcannon mentions, the 700R4 was behind the 6.2s and then went to the 4L80E with the 6.5s - and the SM465 and NV4500 manuals. The TH350 didn’t have the fixed center support of the TH400 (which transitioned to the 700R4 and 4L80E), so it isn’t potentially as strong as the TH400 or 700R4. Also, the TH350 is a 3-speed so going to a 700R4 will get you a fourth (overdrive) gear.

Here’s some info on a 6.5 swap: 1995 6.5L TD into a 1978 Land Cruiser - TheDieselPage.com Forums

And a 6.2 swap: 6.2L Toyota FJ40 - TheDieselPage.com Forums

As @handcannon mentions, the 6.2/6.5 isn’t going to get you the horsepower of a Powerstroke or Cummins, but for a lighter vehicle it will give you decent power and better mileage than either of those.

 

[Arm Auto]

interesting. I am a big fan of the 6.5 for these rigs. Cheap and easy to find. Take care of them and as long as you aren't trying to pull a 25k lb trailer you'll be fine. Definitely not a Cummins or Duramax, but more than powerful enough for a fully loaded FJ80 let alone a FJ40.
I had to abandon one of my projects to fund a few others. Its all good though. I now have a 97 FJ80 with a fresh 6.5TD mated to a 4L80e (and a hot rod project I wont mention here ).
However, I have a few parts that I was going to put up for sell that you may be interested in; 6.5TD (converted to mechanical injection), brand new rebuilds of a NV4500 and a HD built 700R4 both with output shafts for the FJ60 TC and the adapters. PM if you are interested.
Cheers!

 

[roscoFJ73]

Thanks. What kind of numbers are they making? Would you say that’s the best over all diesel for a 40? For a daily or a wheeler? Mpg’s Pretty good? Also considering not wanting to have to tote as much fuel.

They make about 135hp , enough to push a 40 along ok. But this depends on your temperament. Probably around 12litres/100klms average.
Its the trouble free reputation that they are most renowned for. They can do a 1.2 million klms in 20 seater buses. Another big plus is they would have to be the easiest 6cyl engine you can work on. The vacuum pump and power steering pump run of gears smothered in oil. They can easily do 4-500000klms with not having to change anything but filters and oil. They are very quiet for a diesel.

This an old 1HZ I stripped down to have rebuilt.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Installed

 

[ForealBoreal]

@gerg when is that bj42 recent?

 

[gerg]

I did that in spring time for a friend of mine.

 

[ForealBoreal]

looks like a nice setup.

 

[gerg]

Ahh Thanks. He renovated my house and I did his truck up.

I went through the links but couldnt seem to find pics of a 6.2 installed in a 40. I wondered where you put the turbo? I guess physically the v8 diesel is similar in dimentions to a sbc? Are they as heavy as a cummins?
g

 

[ForealBoreal]

SBC are lighter than a cummins from what I have been told. I cant directly give you figures though.
The 2F was heavier than a 350.....

 

[gerg]

Well I gather everything is lighter than a cummins, they are beasts, but wondered what the 6.2 diesels were like.

 

[handcannon]

I'm not sure so don't quote me, but I think the 6.2/6.5 in the non-turbo version is about the same weight as the F/2F. I pulled my 94 6.5TD pickup motor a couple years ago, and it is definitely heavier that the SBC. Anyway, it is a heavier, beefed up block for a diesel motor.

I don't think that a 40 has enough room in the engine compartment for a stock GM pickup turbo since they are on the right side exhaust manifold. I haven't got this far, but is there enough room between the block and a 40's firewall for a center mount turbo similar to what GM put into their vans? If there is enough room for center mounting a turbo you would be better off making your own turbo mounting system over what GM used in their vans. GM turbo's are limited in their RPM range to about a maximum of 2500 RPM due to efficiency.

Don