Back to the legality of the 4BT in California

[Brian R]

I had a conversation with someone that I found ineresting. I thought that the 4BT only came in medium or heavy duty trucks which, according to my understanding, would make it illegal to put one in a light duty (1 ton or smaller) vehicle in CAlifornia. This person, however, offered the following:



<< Based on my

understanding of the law there is no way to legally put an engine that was

only available in heavy duty vehicles into a light duty vehicle. I know

there are ways around this law, such as starting with a vehcile that is

already diesel, a vehicle that is older than 1973 or putting an EPA tag on

it from a 6BT. >>





The 4BT I have was built in 89 has a EPA cert tag and some emission info on

the main tag. It came from a 1980 Chevy P30 ( 1 ton) aluminum van. The

diesel conversion was marketed by Cummins as a repower for worn out 350 gas

motors. In conversations with a step van parts guy, he said there was also a

conversion kit for Chevy pickups to replace the awful 350 Olds diesel. This

seems correct as one of my 4BTs has a Chevy/Olds dual pattern bell hsg

adapter plate.





This seems to suggest that these engines were certified for light duty vehicles. If this is true I'll abandon my Mercedes diesel ideas and look for a 4BT. Any thoughts?

 

[TomGolden]

Sorry to be off topic, but wanted to say Howdy Neighbor



Of course maybe we've already met in person, at the ocassional Placerville TDR breakfast get togethers at the Waffle Shop near Beno's in Placerville... ??



Anyway, next time we have one of these, I'll try to remember to PM you and let you know.



Tom

 

[moparguy]

Brian, I guess I haven't kept up with your proposed project. What are you looking at repowering?



I'm starting to really like the idea of a 4bt in a mid 60's Dodge stepside. 4x4 would be best, but could be hard to find.



Good luck, Ronnie

 

[Brian R]

Beno's!? Boy, that takes me back. It's Grocery Wharehouse, now. I went to Beno's with my Grandma 30 years ago when I was a kid. We just moved to Pollock in November. Like it so far.



So, Tom, what does your truck look like? I often see an all blue one pass me on 50 in the morning heading west (My early 80's cruise control will barely hold 55 in the morning, for some reason). My truck is blue/silver with a blue camper shell. It has cheesy chrome modular rims.



Hey, Ronnie, I have given up on a Cummins conversion for now. Last night I bought a Mercedes turbo diesel wagon for $950. The plan is to put a 1984 Nissan 4x4 frame under it. The stock divorced transfer case in the Nissan should make this conversion easier than it otherwise would be.

 

[TomGolden]

Here's a couple recent pictures in a post I put up about front end levelling. I head down #50 every morning at about 7:15 AM or thereabouts.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40592



Tom

 

[Brian R]

No, that is not you I see, then. I didn't know you had a 2nd gen truck. Also, I pass through P'ville around 6:15-6:30. I drive from Pollock Pines to Orangevale. How often do you guys get together at the Waffle Shop?

 

[TomGolden]

Not on a regular schedule. I think we have done it like 3 or 4 times since I joined the TDR in late 2000. I will certainly let you know next time we plan on meeting again. Feel free to email me anytime too.



Tom