Nissan SD33 6-cyl Diesel

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Anyone familiar with this engine? I think it came in the IHC Scout back in '80 or so.



A friend has a 1952 Willys Wagon he wants to sell me and I'm thinking it might be a cool rig with a small 6-cylinder diesel. I did some looking on the web today for something around 3 liters that parts may be available for and drivetrains. If I did such a swap I'd probably take the Scout drivetrain with it.



If this motor can be turbocharged and the power turned up a little without making it unreliable it could be a fun rig. It wouldn't need a lot of HP, the Willys wouldn't be a highway cruiser, more for going off road.



Thanks, Vaughn

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Well just found this, there is a turbo version, the SD33T. It's the one to get, introduced in 1980, features piston cooling and 6. 5 psi boost. It's 198 CID and 101hp/175tq. Not earth shaking but should move a Willys along just fine. It appears there's a decent supply of parts so at least it would be reasonably serviceable.

http://www.binderbulletin.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1467



Vaughn

 

[NPloysa]

Brother had a 1980 Scout II with the SD33T. Gutless but sure was a fun little rig to drive. The diesels were very rare around here, probably because of being gutless, but cool nonetheless. He didn't have many problems with it. The turbo did seize one day but was rebuilt and ran the same afterwards as it did before. Talk about low power with a stuck turbo! The glow plug system didn't work great but was ok. Really took a lot to start her on cold mornings. Plenty of white smoke!



So, low on power for highway, but like you said, if geared low for off-roading, plus other hop-ups, I think it would be a neat project!



Nick

 

[PKleine]

I used to have a 80 Binder with the SD33T. I found it to be very reliable, a little slow, but it always started, even at -25*F! I managed to get about 130k on her before I was broadsided. Got it fixed but it was never the same so I sold it. I've got a 64 Willys utility wagon, that SD33T might be an interesting match...

 

[NPloysa]

I used to have a 80 Binder with the SD33T. I found it to be very reliable, a little slow, but it always started, even at -25*F! I managed to get about 130k on her before I was broadsided. Got it fixed but it was never the same so I sold it. I've got a 64 Willys utility wagon, that SD33T might be an interesting match...

Broadsided?!?!?! These things must be a magnet for getting broadsided. Brother and his friend were broadsided by an 18-wheeler. Bro was in the guy's blind spot while the trucker merged, his trailer wheels rubbed some rubber and a nice dent into his passenger door and rear panel.



PKleine, glad yours started right away. I'm sure my brother's had bad plugs or controller.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

They also put that Nissan motor in Jeep Tugs. They were special built Jeeps used at airports for hauling planes. They were 2WD, but with a transfer case put in low range. There's usually one for sale on Ebay. Search "Jeep Diesel". I'm looking for the right deal one one. I've got an '89 Jeep Commanche that's begging for a diesel conversion.

Joe

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Well I was hoping to hear they'd have neck-snapping acceleration LOL



I suppose they are indirect injection and aftermarket injectors aren't a reality. No idea if the pump and boost could be turned up either.



Vaughn

 

[EBottema]

That Nissan SD33 was used in folklifts and other equipiment. First year for a scout was 1975 or so Last year of any international vehicle was 1980... .

I have a friend who is a IH expert and has 3 nissan diesels laying around



Erik

 

[BDMiller]

I've been a scout guy since I learned to drive & from what I understand these Nissan engines are pretty decent. No neck snapping acceleration but they do what they need to & are pretty reliable. The turbo versions which were found on the 1980 Scout II's were pretty desirable. For more info check out Diesel Talk on the Binder Bulletin.



http://atlas.binderbulletin.org/for...r=&sortfield=lastpost&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[Grey Wolf]

Vaughn,



I have two of the 6-33's, the first one I put in my '68 El Camino (my oldest son's vehicle now) it's sitting in my garage waiting for a cam to start a rebuild. It has 500,000 miles on it Their weak link is the 5 ring pistons, they have a tendency to crack after about 250K , however some of the members on the BB have found some replacement pistons that they are hoping will cure this? The second one (6-33T) is in my '80 Scout which I gave to my youngest son, it only has about 260,000 on it... ... .