Hello from East- central Alberta

Greetings from west-central saskatchewan! Just wondering if you're a member of the western canada ihc club, you May find some parts through there.
 
So I recently changed jobs and now work in a wrecking yard and have access to a couple of cummins 24 valve engines and a few powerstroke turbos. I'm thinking on putting a diesel in the r160 anyway so which way to go? :confused::confused::confused: what would you do in a case like mine? Btw there are some GM diesels there but I'll keep away from those boat anchors!
 
Look for a 6.9 idi. Im not a fan of cummins engines. I know everyone will bash that. But the idi or powerstroke is gonna last longer. Can you hotrod it like a cummer. Nope. But you'll have the bragging rights of saying that its still International under your hood. 7.3. 6.0. 6.4 or 6.9 would all be epic. But the 5.9 cummer is an overdone overused straight 6. No class. International has the standards they live by. Slow. Ugly. Big. Heavy. But no fuss. Just does the job. And does it for longer than the other guy. The 6.0 has a little brother used in Ford vans. The vt265 I think. Basically the 6.0 with the front two cylinders lopped off. The 6.4 maxxforce 7 is also a pretty common sight now
 
I'll have to see which engines I can shoehorn into the truck without modifying the hell out of the old girl aside from improving the brakes.
 
I got the engine back from the rebuilders the other day after complaining that it shouldn't take 6 weeks just to get an estimate :icon_rolleyes: so here it sits in my garage waiting on a rebuild kit. While I squirrel away enough cash to get that I can start on the bodywork and brakes. I'm going to try to modify a front disc set-up from another forum to suit my build; nothing ventured, nothing gained.
 
I know it's been a while since I was on this thread and things aren't going according to plans. The original engine from the r130 is completely toast so I'm going with a diesel in it. Over the past couple of days I have removed the front clip, drums, backing plates and everything associated with the brakes. I have started making bracing for the disc brakes and will be doing a how to thread in case anyone else is interested. My conversion is using a corvette manual master cylinder located in the original place on the frame, Ford explorer front rotors, calipers, l110 hubs, and when I locate it, an older explorer (or 9" Ford) rear end
 
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I'd like a show of hands of everyone who said "I started a project IH and it went as planned" lol. Those would be some rare hands! Youre not alone so hang in there. ;) the potential is great for those vehicles. Keep us posted.
 
I do realize that life happens when you are making plans. But I was certainly hoping to keep this old truck original aside from rear gearing and brakes. I would have rather kept the 17" rims it came with as well. I love the look of them however the weight is just a bit much and the brake parts for repairing the rear end are pretty much made of unobtainium. If you are lucky enough to find a pair of decent drums, the price will set you back to take out a mortgage on your house and Your first born :yikes: I have located a gmc 6.5 with transmission for $600.00 that runs and I might be able to swing the whole truck for a grand (the guy wants it for crushing after I remove the engine). At least I will have an engine that redlines about the same as the original 6 :icon_4laugh: so I will definitely be in need of better gearing, after all 7.39:1 is a bit too low for a daily driver :crazy: especially at a redline of 3800 rpm:nonod:
 
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I hear u about the cost. And you think "ugh this was supposed to be a hobby" lol. Actually mine is my daily driver.....I know....with a 345....dumb...but I love it. I have until my next work shift to get it running. Fortunately I have a Scout friend who borrows from his donor vehicles til I can find the part or the money. :) I do have a first born son I might trade for a lift kit. Lol jk.
 
The kid isnt worth much to me. He smells funny. Ill take the bike for a lift kit. :gringrin:

sorry to hear about your truck bruce. Sad to see it go non original
 
That's a nice looking truck, will be a cool build. Original's nice but in the end having something you can use and is pratical is better imo. Good luck!
 
Turns out a friend of mine has a '91 gmc 6.5 diesel that he'll swap with me for my old 350 GM. I think I'll take him up on it then locate a 5 speed to back it up with.
 
Another change of plans. I just bought a 1991 Ford f350 with the 7.3 idi and a 5 speed. The cab on it is toast but it only has 258,000 km on the clock, so without any more drama (the guy that had the 6.5 won't even talk to me anymore) this is the drive train going into it! Probably using the Ford frame as well for the service box. I'm thinking about getting back to turning wrenches for a living and this would be a good step into mobile service work.
 

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Yes the 7.3 is an International engine and this will mean my truck is a true 'binder :winky: I will also be able to lose the 7.39 gear set and improve on the brakes as well. So over all it will be a win - win deal.:smilewinkgrin:
 
I drove the f350 home today and must admit I'm not overly impressed with the sounds coming up from the tranny, or the way the box is set up on the unit. I'm thinking about losing the box and retaining the one off my '53. I'm also concerned with the braking system and hydraulic clutch, mainly because I don't want to get rid of the original pedals (I like them coming up from the floor) and I really don't want to put the ugly brake booster and mc on the firewall.
 
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