Cummins in my f600?

[camsv3500]

I am looking for a repower... for my 1979 f 600 ford 4 x 4 firetruck...

The truck has been stripped to the last nut and bolt for a restoration (It was a very nice low mile fire engine to begin with)



I have already done away with the 370 V8 and am looking at a cummins as one direction ( I also have a free excellent detroit 6V53)





Has anyone seen a conversion in my vintage truck,, I wondering if Ill face the same issues as the light duty with the firewall... . I know FORD had a center mount the fits the front crossmember and the cummins



I have access to a complete 1990 cummins d250 5 speed stick truck for cheap. . As I understand it the transmission is weak in this vintage,,,



Thanks for any ideas ahead of time



Cam



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[bheiting]

If I'm not mistaken Ford used a Cummins in some school bus chassis in the past.
You might try a bus grave yard for measurements and/or parts.

 

[champspa]

I have one of those school bus engines in my truck , the cpl is listed in signature. it's a drop in.

 

[camsv3500]

thanks gentlemen...

notme

 

[therabbittree]

I would be really tempted to use the 6v53. . and get a jake setup for it. . it may be too smal too... i have several 6v53s and a jake . . im messing with on a another project. . or go with a bigger engine like a ism cummins or series 50 4cyl detroit. . as you have a really big truck there. . and the 6bt is going to be straining. . llok how th edt 466 trucks strain. . if you are in a firedept. . you may have one speced out lik ethat. . our dept has a large international tanker with a dt466 and it is a gutless pig. . the 6b is smaller and probably will have simialr results. . plus a exhaust brake isn't gonna do too much at that weight. . so a engine brake would help ALOT. . some thing to thing about

Thanks,

Deo

 

[Applegator]

What gears do you have? We had a 83 F-600 with a 370, 5 speed direct, 6. 83:1 single speed rear with 825-20 tires and was that a slow truck. You put a diesel with those gears and you have a slower truck. So what is your need for speed?

 

[JUeckert]

personally i would go with the detroit engine. i have bought and sold several cummins powered school buses[5. 9], and to be honest they are slugs. the 5. 9 in my gmc 3500hd, came from a bus. the 215hp engines do ok, but they are a rare find in buses[ 160 to 180hp are the norm] as mentioned the ford will likely have low gears due to the gasser engine. the most common ratio for buses is the 5. 29, which translate's to about 60mph ,foot on the floor, and fairly tall 11r-22. 5 tires. this being said, the 5. 9 would fit with little issue[ keep in mind ford had the 300 6cyl, which is close in length to the 5. 9]. ford used the 5. 9 from 93' to current in their mediums.