I thought about doing the swap, does anyone have info on this ? i found this which should help a little

1951 Ford F1 4bt Build

any ideas? comments? any reasons why its a bad idea?

the motor a non-aspirated Cummins 4BT with the adapter plate to Ford transition and come with a tranny i believe out of a bread truck not sure the model. He wanted 1300 for all of it not sure if thats a good deal or not but i know the adapters usually go for like 900 bucks.

 

The motors and transmissions aren't cheap. On craigslist, near pittsburgh, I have seen that setup advertised for $2,500, not sure if it sold for that or not though. I think they are fully mechanical, meaning no computer or electronics needed. I would love to have one, I would find something to put it in.

 

I was thinking about the same thing at one point.
Maybe you have already been here, but if not, there is some good reading here.
www.4btswaps.com/

 

I have thought about it also. As long as all your gearing is correct, IE trans, diff, tire size is correct so your engine is at the correct rpm. You will have a nice cruiser, good mileage. Probably won't be quick but it will have the torque to move the truck fine.

I assume you mean naturally aspirated. Difference being non turbo and turbo.
Depending on year they won't have anything to hook up really. It would be like putting the stock engine in as far as wiring.
I do know Cummins still makes them, not sure if it's only replacements or if they are for production.
For something different and to drive around I think it's a great engine.
Do some reading, should be a simple swap. The hard part being mounting, intake routing, etc... But more or less drop it in, hook up the starter/alt/ battery.

 

I love the idea. I would love to swap one into something as well, but up here the price of the engine alone is just too expensive. Generally speaking up here you can find a 5.9 cheaper then a 4bt.

 

With a turbo and a few tweaks of the fuel system these little engines can easily put out 300 HP and with the torque of a diesel I don't think it will have any problem moving an F-1.

 

You should do a you tube search! There are come impressive 4bt's out there!
Turbocharged of course...I think everything should be turbocharged today!
Before having my Buick Grand National, I had no idea what turbocharging was really all about! That thing was a freaking V6 MONSTER ! I didn't build it. A guy by the name of Gene Feury in Seattle, WA built it.
Anyway I am veering off subject...

 

[QUOTE=52runner;11278593]I thought about doing the swap, does anyone have info on this ? i found this which should help a little

1951 Ford F1 4bt Build

any ideas? comments? any reasons why its a bad idea?


I think it's a great idea. I did a 6bt cummins conversion on a unrestored 56 f600... I'm very happy with it, so Im sure a 4bt in your f1 would be fantastic.

 

Yeah. That little 4bt can be a pretty nice engine in a 1/2T truck if you get the gearing right.

Try these guys for more info

Cummins 4BT & Diesel Conversions Forums

Same forum as above!


Cheers,


Rick

 

You might also consider the Cummins 6AT. It's a 220 cu in 6 cyl turbo diesel. They were originally built for onan gen sets, but in the late 80's were adapted for automotive use. UPS repowered a lot of their vans with this engine, replacing a 292 chev inline six. The story I get is the drivers soon tired of the noise and having to glow plug etc and after 6-8 years they again repowered with a chevy engine. At that time a bunch of these engines came on the market. I have one in a 54 gmc dual wheel flatbed dump, coupled to a turbo 400 auto and it has been strong and reliable for 10 years. It is a 'spinner', it's indirect injected and runs at 3600 rpm, so it works well with normal tires and gearing. Parts are still available from Cummins. One of mine is an '88, the other an '89. The one in the photo I found on Craigslist Seattle for 1200.00. I built a stand to run it on and plan to put it in my '59 F350 flareside with a 4 sp man tran. The bellhousing is direct bolt on to any gm transmission, so I'll probably go with a sm 420 or 465. Weight is about 800#. Stock hp is only 120, but feels like more because of the torque (and maybe the noise!). Not sure how the dog likes the turbo whistle, but it's music to me. Type 6At into youtube and hear a few of them running. Just my .02

 

A great choice if you are towing or hauling loads but not for a daily or fair weather driver. It is heavy as heck. You better have power disk brakes.