Anybody done a 4b (non-turbo) conversion?

[KKitelinger]

Trying to find info on the 4b, everything I find is regarding the 4bt. Might have a lead on one really cheap. Thinking about putting it in an early 80's blazer used only for trails and off-roading, no street use. Anybody put a 4b in anything yet? The info I have found lists them at 80hp, but no torque listings, any idea what they can be turned up to? The hp is kind of low, but I figure it can't be worse than the 175,000 mile 350 currently in it.

 

[FordCummins]

What type of offroading do you do? For tight trails/rockcrawling this motor would work great, but if you are into mudding or blasting over sand dunes, it wont be nearly as much fun as a turbo'd 4bt, or a mildly built 350.

 

[KKitelinger]

It's only used for trials/rockcrawling, I have another one built just for the mud. That is one reason I am considering the 4b since the torque will be in a more usable rpm range for trails than the current worn out 350. It's currently in a Case backhoe that had a cab fire. The guy currently has it for sale, but will end up parting it out if he doesn't get it sold, so I am wait mode right now.

 

[FordCummins]

That'd make a great motor for rock crawling. Tons of torque, useable power, and you would never have to worry about the engine cutting out or stalling due to angles. Good luck with it if you get. I just picked up a 4bt out of a 99 Komatsu WA120 wheel loader, it was in a fire at 600 hrs, and I got the motor, with an inline Bosch pump in it for 1200 bucks.

 

[cumminsday]

The 80hp 4b is rated at either 192 or 201 ft/lb of torque depending on the CPL. The difference between the 4b and the 4bt is that the non turbos have a higher static compression ratio, which makes them hard to turbo in the future. And I believe they also don't have the piston cooling nozzles. Go with the 4bt. They are easier to find and you can build a lot more power if you have a "P" series pump on it. I have a 4bt in a scout that is pushing 220hp and aprox 500 ft/lb. And I've only just begun. If you have any questions. I am fairly knowledgeable on the "B" series. Justin (719)351-7478.

 

[Steve Graham]

Industrial engines are not EPA certified, how would you get it licenced? The governers on industrial engines are designed to run at constant rpm, another reason to dissqualify them from street use.

The most common 4BT out of a bread trucks is rated at 105 hp with 265 lbft torque. The next most common 4BTA is rate at 120 hp with 300 lbft torque.



Steve

 

[tgbol]

Like Steve said the industrial engines have a different govenor designed to maintain a certian RPM depending on load. It seems wierd when you say it but industrial governors are speed dependent and automotive are load dependent.

 

[MMeier]

 

[KKitelinger]

Thanks for the replies guys. I didn't end up with the motor, so it will have to be a future project. I would rather have a 4bt, but if the 4b I was looking at became available it probably would have been $500 or less. As far a licensing it that is not an issue so I wouldn't care if it was an industrial motor or not. As far a licensing issues with an industrial motor it is already a long ways from being able to do that again. Chopped 10 inches from the rear, no interior other than seats, 6-point cage, and a steering column, no doors and some custom body work by trees and rocks