Looking at Diesel options for my C800. I know Ford used the Cat 3208 in later years. Will late model 90's Ford Diesels out of F250 type trucks work?

Any other options?

 

Anything will "work".

Nothing is a straight bolt in. You will be looking at fabrication, and changing a lot of things in addition to the engine.

--engine mounts
--cooling
--fuel system
--controls
--transmission
--possibly gearing if you want to run over 40 mph
--maybe a crossmember depending on the transmission
--driveshaft to match trans length etc

This is not a swap, it is a conversion.

Other than that, it's a weekend project.

 

Are you sure about anything? I anticipated having to make all those changes. However, my main concern was the engine fitting between the frame such that I can close the cab.

For example, I recall someone once saying a Cummins 6bt will work but anything bigger won't clear the cab.

 

You are correct, the cab would limit some engines. The Ford/IH motors would fit in the frame. The Cummins would probably be the easiest, most support and easiest to live with in the long run. Transmission would be a question as you would have to go auto or adapt the existing trans to the Cummins bell.

 

The 6bt cummins is really too tall for this truck. I have one mounted in my '59 and mated up to my clark 265v59 and the cab sits on the rocker covers when it's latched down. I wanted to keep the trans where it was so the shifter would work as well as it ever did and I wanted to keep plenty of front axle clearance. There are a couple other concerns really, the gearing is a big one. Without an overdrive and with 6:20's in the rear axle I can't hardly get a tire tall enough to get the engine rpm to be reasonable. I really think one of the v8 diesels would be a better choice as they are happier running at higher rpm, they'd fit better too. I picked up an auxilary transimission to help the gearing problem. You will also find the cummins is pretty long for the available space as well, not much room for a charge air cooler out in front of the radiator. The other thing I am running into is finding a decent way to support the transmission. There are no provisions for a mount on the trans at all. Originally it hung off the bellhousing. The cummins bellhousing I used to do the adaptation does not have provisions for mounting either. If I had it to do over I'd go with a 7.3 powerstroke and an automatic. As much as I hate slushboxes in most applications, it'd make life a lot easier. This project has been back burnered a couple times now because although I know it will be cool when done, I'm just not sure if it's worth it. In case you are wondering, I used the getrag/cummins bellhousing and two of the trans bolt holes are right on the money so that was relatively easy. I used a 13" clutch for a later cummins truck with an 1 3/8" input nv5600. A first gen cummins truck radiator will fit down between the framerails, so that's kinda nice. Like everybody said above. it can be done, it's just a lot of work...

 

I would like to see more trucks like this, as that is the basic idea of what I wanted to do, although I'm not sure if an automatic is the way to go or use a clarke 285VO 5/OD (hard to find) is the way to go for simplicity and likely more durable than an automatic from a 90's dodge pick up. Also I wonder how much clearance there would be between the axle/oil pan and if it would be possible to lower the eng/trans which would also require lowering the linkage along the length of the frame if the clarke is used. Or leave the linkage alone and add a spacer to the trans/shift mechanism and lengthen the "finger" to shorten up the throw of the shifter (or lengthen the bottom portion of the shifter itself instead). And as for the gearing I have found a f550 from a 99 with 4:11's that should work and hopefully somewhat shorter tire as well.

It would seem the easy route would be an automatic but will it survive, probably not.

 

C series: Nothing prior to 1961.

 

I have to agree with post #5 i think a 4BT or 6BT are going to be too tall. If A 3208 fit then there are no worries about other V8 deisels. A 3208 is not a small size engine it takes up quite a bit of room width wise. Its is a 636 Cubic inch engine. I like the 6.9 and 7.3 IDI deisels my self. (no computer just a glow plug controller)

 

Only diesel engines I've seen in those trucks were the 3208 Cat and the small 555 ci V8 Cummins which is a pile.
As has been said a 6BT cummins is a little tall, 7.3 IDI won't have the power of a 3208 and personally I wouldn't want the tackle the electronics of a Power Stroke conversion.

FYI Cat, Cummins and Navistar diesels where used in MD trucks that had SAE bell housings with the proper mid mount mounting on the bell housing, so the transmission mounting issue is not a issue at all, one just needs to visit big truck salvage yards.
Finding a SAE adapter to fit the older transmissions could be challenging.

 

I believe that the 8.2 Detroit diesel was offered in the C-series for a few years in the early 80's. I have a non-turbo one in a 1982 Ford step van/delivery truck. They are known to be problematic and don't make much power by today's standards. I believe the 3208 was also offered but was a tight fit and required cross member notching and the turbo relocated.

 

Sorry I have a very low opinion of the 8.2 Detroit and never mention it as a possible engine choice.
Most times when someone mentions a 8.2 my mind just blanks it out.

 

Both the Navistar 6.9 and 7.3 IDI, as well as the 7,3 powerstroke engines were offered in medium duty truck and school bus applications, and were equitted with SAE side mount bellhousings sand horsecoller front mounts.

 

It's great to see an old discussion get a new life. The C cabs were used by other truck builders. FWD used them and Mack built the N model using the C cab. Mack actually cut the floor out and ran a tunnel straight up the middle. So you had 2 bucket seats. The shifter was on a tower on top of the engine cover. The engine was right next to you. Gas or diesel powered. They made about 900 of them. I had a chance to own one back about 97. I was researching parts for it and found info from the head mechanic at a roadway terminal. He was gonna give me an entire truck for free, as long as I could trailer it. Roadway leases their tires, so I couldn't have them. We talked in length about drivetrains. All Roadway's C cabs had both cat3208 and Detroit 8.2. They used the turbo engines. He told me that the 8.2's were constantly blowing head gaskets on the right bank, he had at least 3 at a rebuild shop. For some reason they felt the turbo was over boosting that bank. The cat's held up better, but he said he had issues with thermostats constantly going bad. Sounds like a part issue.

So that being said, find an older Blue Bird school bus and drop the cab on it. It's a great conversion. Here's a pic of one that has already been done.


N model MACK

 

[QUOTE=80broncoman;18784845]I have to agree with post #5 i think a 4BT or 6BT are going to be too tall. If A 3208 fit then there are no worries about other V8 deisels. A 3208 is not a small size engine it takes up quite a bit of room width wise. Its is a 636 Cubic inch engine. I like the 6.9 and 7.3 IDI deisels my self. (no computer just a glow plug controller)[/QUOTE

I just stumbled upon this forum/thread, would have been helpful a year ago, but I put a 12 valve in my 78 c-700 last winter with an Allison 545 and used it that way for a year. It is now sporting a 6 speed Eaton, need to Fab up a few things yet and run a clutch line but the valve covers clear the cab by a few inches and it is intercooled ahead of the radiator. If anyone is interested I'll post some pictures and answer some questions?

 

Photos of a questionable conversion are always good.
Post them here or start a new thread about your conversion.