Yeah, that's one reason I opted for the NA engine, so that it would work better with anormal rediator, and would be essentially easier to cool. I am considering adding an external oil cooler that has a fan mounted to it, and have even considered finding a small radiator the I could install for an additional remote mounted radiator. I am, however, running into an issue, as I don't have enough clearance to runa belt operated fan, and will have to go electric, but do not know how much CFM I might need to keep it sufficiently cool.

 

Well, you won't know until you load it up. Diesels don't produce much heat lightly loaded. The electric fans available, Flex-a-lite for example, didn't until recently have fans for medium/heavy duty trucks. I'm not sure that they even have a good one for F-250 and higher trucks for towing applications. Electrics just don't turn large enough fans to move the air required for a loaded diesel. Engine driven fans can suck as much as 8 to 10 hp at towing RPMS.

1hp equals about 750w........ 750w at 14v dc is about 50A 10HP would require 500A!!


At 28V it would be exactly 1/2 that....


If you don't have a big enough radiator or enough FAN (or both), you'll know it when load it up and work it... because the temp will climb after the thermostat opens.

 

bump...

why not a larger dt466? a very good engine, cheap and plentiful, cheap to rebuild. have yet to hear of a good runner getting much less than 10mpg

im talking into a 55 f600 here,

would have to box the frame and do some massaging to get it in (more than likely modify firewall) i want to say that they are about 8 inches longer than a 300. not sure about height though. perhaps use an IH 4700 frame and drivetrain?

what i am picturing, to pull a 35'+ gooseneck (camper or enclosed car carrier)
-1955 ford f600
-dt466 and a 9 or 10 speed (smaller OTR tranny)
-geared depending on actual tranny used so it can run 65-70mph comfortably slightly loaded
-use newer axles so nice aluminum 10 lug rims can be used (19.5's like a topkick?)
-and lets say a 48" or so flattop sleeper
-air ride seats, or maybe even an air ride suspention.

(I am consdering getting a larger gooseneck camper to live in when i go back to college, would need something to pull it with, so why not something cool?)

 

One thing I havn't really seen mentioned in length clearance issues. I know the Navistars (the Ford/International 6.9 and 7.3) require the radiator to be moved forwards -- as much as 6" if you're keeping the stock engine-driven fan -- in order to clear the firewall and steering box, and have the shifter in the correct spot.

 

dang, these things must be way shorter than i thought... perhaps a huge 4cyl diesel.

 

This post seems to have gone dormant. Any updates?

 

No. The major players involved in the diesel conversions, are out enjoying their trucks. I wanted help getting measurements, and other stats, but that went no where. So, what I was hoping to become a technical article for converting a 48-56 Ford to diesel power has died.