the ole Perkins 354 were almost identical to the 1st gen cummins 5.9
140 HP +- , 350-400 LBS torque they looked similar to the cummins 5.9 with the rotary IP pump ! we use to have a 1984 F250 that had one in it with a Allison 540 tranny , that was a good combination for a work truck but slow on the highway 60-65 tops !

 

Think I would try to find a later model donor truck and sit the cab and bed on the newer frame

 

Ok guys, i have been to a few salvage yards, checked craigslist, and a bus company offering frame cuts. I am getting the impression that here in the midwest, diesels arent made out of iron, but rather out of platinum and gold with diamond studded bolts. Ive got price quotes from 2000 to 8000 dollars on used, worn out engines. My answer is.... No f#%^ing way. I have narrowed it down to a few possibilities. I can get a 7.3idi for $600 that runs great. OR.... I am biting the bullet and going gas V8. 460, 454, 455, or caddy 472,500. I got the cash now. I just need some input. If i choose gas, what of the engines above would be best. I also hope to use an OD tranny, i.e. ZF5, nv4500... or others of the like. My last question is this..... The truck has manual steering. Is there a way to get a power steering gear from a late 60s early 70s fseries and use it? Thanks guys.

 

as far as gas engines go i would use a 460 or 454 ( 502 crate motor would be good ) for ease of parts compatibility !

 

If i get a 460 from the late 70s early 80s and put a better cam, and some hugger center outlet headers, (for making room to clear steering gear) what kinda torque and hp am i looking at roughly from the 460. I have heard that the caddy 500 is an absolute battleship engine that can pull hard as hell. But you are right, good luck putting a manual tranny on a caddy motor without modifications to crank and high dollar flywheel.

 

I have a 58 F600 with the 292, 5 speed (1:1) and Eaton 2 speed (6.33/8.81). I have reached the same decision as you- it isn't worth trying to do anything with the old 292. And there is no numerically lower (such as 4.10) ring & pinion available for the Eaton. The engine turns 3300 rpm at 60 mph.
I finally decided to go the diesel route so I bought an 89 F-Super Duty (F-450). It has the 7.3 IDI (no turbo), 5 speed (.77:1) and a Dana 80 with 5.13 gears. I have already bought a 4.10 ring & pinion for it. The bolt pattern is 10 x 7.25" so I need to find some 6 x 8.75" hubs for it. It has 4 wheel disc brakes with a Hydraboost master cylinder. The trans has a rear mounted drum brake for the parking brake exactly like the F600 has. I plan to transplant the entire drive train (and air conditioner!) into the F600. With the 4.10 gear, in OD, with 9R-22.5 tires I should be turning about 1900 rpm at 60 mph.

 

the cad engines are nice and not to many people even think about them for a conversion project , i heard years ago that some people would swap out there old chevy BB engines in there motorhomes for the cad engines and sounded like it was as different as night and day !
here's a link i found seems to have some good info !
Cad Company 8.2 Litre Performance - Cadillac 500 Performance Parts

 

Hey awhtx, im liking your ideas. I have found a 7.3idi that runs good for $600 near me. Its tempting me fiercly. All id need after that is a zf5. I am also interested in hydro boost. How will my truck run with a 7.3idi is the question here though. I know it will pull it, but so would a lawnmower engine, with time. Lots of time. As long as it wouldnt be a turd, id be interested greatly.
We will see.

 

The F450 is a 1.5 ton truck and the F600 is a 2 ton so it shouldn't be much difference. I do know the 7.3 is a lot more engine than the 292. I chose the IDI over a 7.3 Powerstroke because of the simplicity of the IDI. I know that the IDI won't smoke the tires but as I get older I find that those kind of things aren't very important. As long as it will pull a load down the highway I will be happy.

 

I agree that smoking the tires arent important attributes of a hauling truck. I plan on keeping the 2 speed eaton axle and using an overdrive tranny. I would think that with those 6.31/8.81 rear gears, it ought to move out nicely. I found a caddy 500 with th400 for the same price that also runs great. I am also tempted with that one. I dont want to smoke the tires, but i imagine that f600 would move with authority unloaded, and without straining to badly loaded. I need to go look at them in person first though.

 

The 6.33 gears with a .77 Overdrive ZF5 still only gives you an effective ratio of 4.87. Many OD's are only in the .86 range which results in a 5.44 effective ratio.

 

This website

Novak Conversions - Gearing & Gearing Math for Jeeps

Has a calculator on it. With 37" tires, .77 OD, and 6.33 gears, i can go 55mph at 2400 rpm. Thats alot better than 3000 or more. I would rarely ever go over 55. I live in the country and take back roads all the time. If i cruised at 50 id be pretty near 2000 rpms or so. So i think it could work out ok for me.

 

That may be a small difference in payload ratings, but the curb weight of an F600 will be a whole lot more. I would say a good 3000 pounds heavier.

 

I agree a hundred percent on fixing the dump, handiest thing I have ever had.

Why all the fuss, if your not going to go over 50 or 55 on country roads?

I have the same ratio as you, 633/881, I have a 5 speed but 5th is direct, my truck will run 55-60 down the freeway with no problems, I've gone 70 in it, I was just curious if it would go that fast, it still had some left.

It is slow when its loaded heavy, and I stay on the backroads, but there is a certain fun factor using these old trucks as they were designed.





If your dead set on a big project, more power to you...
Or you could find a good running 292, bolt it in, and use the truck..

Good luck,
Greg

 

There will be several times that i may need to make trips into wichita, or newton, to go to a lumber yard or hardware store. Both of these cities are 30 or more miles away. I really despise sitting in a truck for half an hour or more at 3300 rpms. It really would eat gas then, as if it wont already, and i cant stand the nagging feeling of "man i wish this thing had one more gear"

This truck is going to be my heavy hauler, as well as my home depot, lowes, truck. No sense in winding her to kingdom come when i can easily buy an od tranny and be done with it.