Perkins/Chevy 1991 Burb conversion

[Toolmaker Rob]

Helo Everyone-I am considering installing a 372 ci Perkins into my V2500 4x4 1991 Burb.Can anyone give me the pros/cons of doing this?I would like to keep my 4L80E tranny(do I need a special shifter unit?).The motor in there right now is a 350ci gas pig.The main reasons I want to do this is because the Perkins is sitting on the shop floor doing nothing and the few people I have asked about doing this tell me it is not possible.The adaptor plates I can fab up in the shop.Any comments would be appreciated.Thanks.

[More Power]

What's the torque peak rpm and governed rpm for the Perkins? This might have some effect on transmission options.

Jim

[Toolmaker Rob]

Hello More Power,
The 372 Perkins has a torque rating of 300 ft.lbs. @1500rpm and 121 hp @ 2500rpm.According to my books the 354 cubic inch turbo perkins has 155hp @ 2600rpm and 370 ft lbs torque @ 1700 rpm.I know of some people who have put turbos on naturally aspirated engines with success by not cranking the pump delivery up too much so the boost would not go crazy.Both the 354 and 372 motors have the same stroke of 5.00".The redlines according to the manuals ranges from 2600 all the way to 3100 rpm!My thoughts is if I went through this project I would put a turbo on to help the power/mileage somewhat but still keep things reasonable as this unit would be a daily driver.I may have to change the ring gear as it is a 3.73 but the 4L80E has an overdrive of .70 so my final drive will be 2.61:I and I currently use 235/85/16" tires.This works out to approximately 1750 rpm at 60mph.Right now my gas mileage is about 13 mpg and would like to shoot for 21-23 mpg as I drive around 250-300 miles per week.

[convert2diesel]

Hi Rob:

You might look at using the 700R4 for a tranny. Really deep first and second with an OD of .74-1. A simple throttle switch is all you would need to control the lock-up and you could use one of the readily available brackets for the throttle valve cable (very important). This would mean you could scrap the computer entirely (don't need no damn puter) and these trannys will certainly hold up to the kind of power you are talking about. You would have to get a diesel specific torgue convertor (1,200 RPM stall), the govenor from a diesel truck (easy mod) and I would install the high pressure servo (commonly referred to as the Corvette servo) to firm up the shifts (again an easy mod).

I am consistanly getting 34-35 MPG (IMP) on the freeway and on occassion have gotten 38 (being a good boy 55 MPH (90 KPH) steady throttle, no hills etc). One thing about the Perks is that they are rated much better (or at least they used to be) as far as specific fuel consumption. If my memory serves me .38 Lbs/shaft HP comes to mind as opposed to the 6.2 at .43.

Sound like a great conversion. Keep us posted.

Bill

[Toolmaker Rob]

Hello Convert2diesel,
I have seriously considered using a 700R4-do you think ti would need beefing up internally?I also noticed that you are located in the same province.Do you have any insights about the emission regulations/test?

Toolmaker Rob

[Craig M]

I have a 1976 Chevrolet with the 354 Perkins installed. Transmission is a Clark 5 speed manual with .22 overdrive. Not currently running. Perkins needs a new head gasket.

[Toolmaker Rob]

Hello Craig M,
When your 76 Chev was running,what kind of mileage were you getting and was the power alright?Any troubles with the unit and was it a natural or turboed?

Toolmaker Rob

[convert2diesel]

Rob:

Once the conversion is done, then you will have to go to any license bureau and have the registration converted to diesel. After that then all you require for emmissions currently is the visual opacity test...idle and 1,500 rpm no visable smoke and you pass. If you can't loose the smoke, sometimes a bottle of Johnny Walker applied to the correct place will cure the problem. This is the current regs and they may change in the future if Toronto gets it's way but can't see them looking too hard at 10 or 15 year old vehicles.

The 700 as is, as long as it came out of a V8 vehicle (preferrably a diesel), should be strong enough (avoid any of the V6 applications). If it is still a concern, there is a local guy here that will do the necessary build-ups very reasonably and has a source for the 1,200 RPM convertors. We don't need a full blown race tranny, just some add-ons to replace some weaker areas. Drop me a email if you need any help.

Bill

[Toolmaker Rob]

Bill,
Thanks for all the info on the e-test and 700R4 upgrades.I have heard about applying Johnny Walker "lube" before.I will keep your e-mail handy if I need some contact info on the torque converters etc.Right now I have just about have the adaptor plate finished in the shop.I will keep you posted.

Rob

[Craig M]

Toolmaker Rob;

I bought the truck in its current state, so do not have any mileage stats. Previous owner was happy with the power. Pulled trailers with it with good results he said.

[ARAMP1]

Can you post a couple pics of it? Maybe one or two of the engine mounts?

[Toolmaker Rob]

ARAMP1,

If you are more specific(type of vehicle,engine etc.)and give me a little time(as I am very busy at work and with the family) I can dig through some of my old photos as I used to go to some of these diesel shows and have talked to some of these guys.Most people just fab up some design of their own after they have the motor hanging there with the tranny hooked to it.


Rob

[charles keefel]

I have a 1976 Chevrolet with the 354 Perkins installed. Transmission is a Clark 5 speed manual with .22 overdrive. Not currently running. Perkins needs a new head gasket.
I have a 4/318 Perkins in a 79 Ford pickup and would like to get the Clark
o/d transmission. What model number is it, and do you know the original
application

[charles keefel]

I know someone in Bothwell, On. has a 6/354 in an 87 Chev Crew Cab p/up.
I have the 4/318 Perkins in a 79 Ford p/up but have a 372 I plan on putting
in a Ford F350. A friend of mine has several Ford pickups with 372 Perks, but
he raises the cab 2.5 inches to accomodate the engine using the original hood. If the engine you have came off a 750 Massey combine you will have
to change the water pump to low mount. Combine rad will work, youdon't need
a fan. 850 Massey went back to the 354 engine with turbo. This turbo is
side mount and will fit the 372. Looking for a bell housing for my 372

[journeyman]

My dad did a '76 F350 convertig to a 6-354T engine back in 1979. My nephew is still driving that thing. It has a T-34 OD 5 speed fuller and a 5831 spicer auxiliary.

He gets 15 - 17 mpg around town, and about 20 on the road.
Cab was lifted to accomodate the transmission height.

Stock F350 radiator was retained and no fan is used.

He went though multiple Fuel injection pumps and injectors when all that changing was happening with the low sulfur and then the ultra low sulphur diesel came out.

Added an intercooler.

Now he has a head gasket issue.