Ignoring price/cost and ignoring custom work involved, which diesel would you go with? Currently, I'm considering the cummins 6bt for many reasons. Durability, torque, parts, trans options and all mechanical fuel management. So, if you could have the diesel of your choice, which would you choose and why?
Which diesel?
- Thread starter DocBon
- Start date
It's a 1974 Scout 2 and this vehicle will be a daily driver. It'll be used for camping and pulling an occasional trailer/vehicle. I'm not going to be mudding or heavy off roading but, I want to be able to handle rocks/trails/mud if I get into a situation. We like to find out of the way places to camp/hunt. I'll also be using it for game retrieval so as you can see, torque will be a good thing. As a daily driver I want enough power to cruise the interstate and punch it in case I'm crossing the rr tracks against a run away train, lol. The 6bt turbo seems to fit the bill for me and doesn't appear to guzzle the diesel too much so, if there's a better option, I'm definitely all ears.
The 6bt is waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much engine for a Scout.
The 4bt would be a much easier engine to get into the engine compartment, it would weigh a whole lot less, and it would have more than enough hp and torque for a Scout.
The 6.9/7.3/powerstroke/t444(e) would fit but would use more fuel than a 4bt. Size is about the same as a sv392 but it would be pretty tight in a Scout.
The downside of using any of the e versions is you need to get a donor vehicle so you can get the whole electrical harness.
Mercedes benz 3l 5-cylinder engines are about as robust as any engine out there. Good running engines in rusted donor cars are easy to find on the east coast. Downside is finding a transmission that can use the torque curve effectively.
Isuzu and mitsubishi I-4's as found in the the little 1-ton tilt cab trucks would make good engines. Make sure you get a transmission to go with the engine. Almost all of them came from the factory with a turbo and an exhaust brake.
The 4bt would be a much easier engine to get into the engine compartment, it would weigh a whole lot less, and it would have more than enough hp and torque for a Scout.
The 6.9/7.3/powerstroke/t444(e) would fit but would use more fuel than a 4bt. Size is about the same as a sv392 but it would be pretty tight in a Scout.
The downside of using any of the e versions is you need to get a donor vehicle so you can get the whole electrical harness.
Mercedes benz 3l 5-cylinder engines are about as robust as any engine out there. Good running engines in rusted donor cars are easy to find on the east coast. Downside is finding a transmission that can use the torque curve effectively.
Isuzu and mitsubishi I-4's as found in the the little 1-ton tilt cab trucks would make good engines. Make sure you get a transmission to go with the engine. Almost all of them came from the factory with a turbo and an exhaust brake.
When it comes time to repower you May want to consider purchasing an old school bus for the power package.
I know for a fact this bus has been in the inventory a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time. details - bus inventory - harlow's bus sales, inc.
And with the price of scrap after you have taken the power package out you still have a nice storage shed or about $1500 worth of scrap.
Don't forget that with a diesel, due to the different redline you will also have to change the rear gears unless you like a top speed of 47 mph.
I know for a fact this bus has been in the inventory a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time. details - bus inventory - harlow's bus sales, inc.
And with the price of scrap after you have taken the power package out you still have a nice storage shed or about $1500 worth of scrap.
Don't forget that with a diesel, due to the different redline you will also have to change the rear gears unless you like a top speed of 47 mph.
Pascoscout
Member
I am in the process of a 4db2t (from 1994 isuzu box truck) into my Scout 800. Motor runs great, lots of power and torque, super quiet and came with a turbo and exhaust brake. Best of all it will run without the computer, just need top hook up a timed switch for the glow plugs. It fit right in and there are adapters to bolt up to just about any GM transmission.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Just my 2 cents worth.