Im in a fire department and our tanker needs some motor work i think it has a 361 or 389 gas we want to put a diesel in it does anyone know what diesel will bolt up to the tranmission and what they would be in.

 

Welcome to FTE.

A diesel conversion would probably be best accomplished by bringing another transmission along with the diesel.

What trans is in the truck? How is it geared? You may have some issues with the RPM range of a diesel vs. the FT motor you have.

Who will do the work and what budget do they have? Since this is an emergency vehicle, you are not looking at shade tree techniques here or junkyard motors.

As for what fits, just about anything* will fit, but just about nothing is a straight bolt in.

*Anything in the medium diesel catagory.

 

My opinion? Stick with the FT - do what you have to with it. These conversions are not for the faint hearted. Your dept. will need deep
pockets because basically the whole drive train has to be replaced
by a certified firm. You can do a 361 391 ft for under $1000 (parts)
plus machining. Whats wrong with the engine anyways?

 

We are on a very low budget but the motor needs points a good tune up carb rebuilt and it smokes some so maybe valve seals or rings. Its set for a couple years and im not sure what trans is in it but its a Tandem axle truck with a 3200 Gallon steal tank.

 

So the $10000 to get started on a diesel repower might be a deal killer?

Tune up, small money, less than $100 in parts.

Swap to a Pertronix and forget the points, a few bucks more:

Ignitor

Carb rebuild kits can be had via Napa. You have to find a store that knows medium trucks.

Valve seals. Ford used neoprene umbrella seals and they crack and fall apart with old age. They can be replaced with the heads on in the truck. You either use compressed air or the rope in the plug hole trick to hold the valves while you fiddle with them. IMO best to find a shop that will do this. You need to pick all the pieces of valve seal out of the top of the cylinder head and oil drainbacks while you are at it.

Rings: If it is rings and it's just light smoke, that ignition change can also add higher voltage which will help keep the plugs from fouling.

Oil is cheap compared to an R & R.

 

Thanks for the advice. If i have anymore Questions ill ask.