Perkins

[B.G. Smith]

How about one of these? http://surpluscenter.com/item.asp?&catname=&qty=1&item=28-1509

 

[1stgen4evr]

Put a 6-354 in a couple of fords back a few years ago. Did fine. No problems back then with whether it was "automitive" certified. You might never be asked but some places the industrial engines won't certify. Perkins is good stuff. You might do better with a 4bt from a cracker truck.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[Scot]

I am told the parts for the 354 and its 4 cyl cousin are getting scarce and pricey. Dads buddy in San Antonio did a bunch of them in the late '70's and early '80s'.

 

[SRadke]

Originally posted by Scot

I am told the parts for the 354 and its 4 cyl cousin are getting scarce and pricey. Dads buddy in San Antonio did a bunch of them in the late '70's and early '80s'.

I don't know that I'd say that, you just have to know where to look. They used a ton of these engines in Ag. equipment and parts are still available through those manufacturers. Do the water pumps last an longer in pickup applications then they do in Ag machines? We rarely get more than two seasons on one in a combine.



-Scott

 

[1stgen4evr]

Do the water pumps last an longer in pickup applications then they do in Ag machines?

Yes. I never had a problem with the waterpump. The Perkins conversion was completely successful. The engines were about worn out from ag service before we installed them and didn't last like a new engine but they proved the concept. We later put a new Cummins in a four door chevy. Actually had it running before Dodge brought theirs to market. That engine ran 300k and is now sidelined but the engine was not the prob. The truck was worn to a nub. It had been a hotshot for 200k miles before we got it.



I would guess that the shortened life in ag service is relative to the dead time between uses. The bearing and seal is much the same in all water pumps.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[John - K5AWO]

Re: Do the water pumps last an longer in pickup applications then they do in Ag machines?

Originally posted by 1stgen4evr

put a new Cummins in a four door chevy.

James

James, did you use the 700R4 diesel transmission or something else.



I have a brand spanking new 700R4 rebuilt to my specs in my 84 Suburban. Less 500 miles on it. It shifts so hard your neck snaps and no slipping. The 6. 2 threw a valve and I either need to find another engine or start parting out the truck.



I have been wondering if it would hold up to the torque of the Cummins engine? I am very disappointed in the factory 47RE compared to my 700R4.



But with a 4x4 I doubt that changing the transmission type would be a cheap project.



John

 

[1stgen4evr]

Did I - - - -

John - K5AWO I did the fords hands on myself but by the time the chevy was being done, my nephew Tony did the hard part. Remember that this was around 87 early 88.



We were on a severe budget and used what we had and cobbled the rest. The truck had been manual and we tried several New Process transmission that didn't make the grade. Finally went back to the Muncie. It was fine. I drove that truck over a 110k miles and sold it to a farmer who drove it another 100k+.



We have since done a later model GMC that had automatic. Didn't like the GM transmission and changed to a complete Dodge setup from a donor truck.



Now. If you have a GM transmission that you are confident in, I can tell you that everything you need to hook it up is available. I can also tell you that you will like the cummins. It will most definitely fit in your burb.



James

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by SRadke

Do the water pumps last an longer in pickup applications then they do in Ag machines? We rarely get more than two seasons on one in a combine.



-Scott

Have you tried a coolant filter?

 

[SRadke]

Originally posted by bmoeller

Have you tried a coolant filter?

No but I don't really thing that's it. It's more a combination of what James said above (sitting all winter) and running really high temps for extended periods of time. It's not uncommon for these machines to run 205-215° all day long. That shouldn't due in a water pump but it could contribute. Generally the coolant is pretty clean because it gets changed every other year when the pump goes out Also keep in mind we only put about 200 hours on these things in a season.



-Scott