4-53 Detroit

[a5150nut]

4-53's used to be used for power in the rail refrigerator cars. Might find a rail road dismantler.

[K. D.]

I remember seeing an article in Four Wheeler mag of a 6V-53 install in a GM pickup truck. If memory serves they were running a brownie behind a 5 speed tranny out of a big truck. 20 forward gears...

I spent years just behind a 318 Detroit in a Western Star. I still kinda miss the sound. Hmm, wonder if that is why I am a tad deaf?

K. D.

[Craig M]

A very nicely built 6V53 was on Ebay this week. Installed in a 70's Ford 3/4 ton truck of all things. They are hoping to get big bucks for it. They ran an auction for the same truck a few months ago with out selling it.

[gophergunner]

So if i were to try and arrange a 4-53 or 4-71 for a pickup, maybe even the 6V-53 if its not too heavy, what sort of transmission would i be able to use, preferrably something that i can get already mated to a t-case to save myself some trouble. Cause this would be quite an interesting 4x4 build i think.

Just tryin to set myself up for future projects is all.......any info would be great

thanks

[bowtiedude]

6V-53T in a ferd F250 but truck weighed a little over 8,000 lbs. With a RTOO-9513 was a lot of fun to drive. Great tire smoker even with 44" groundhogs.

[DeezilDoc]

I have a 4-53 that I bought a few years back,it's in a 1976 GMC 6500 series truck, 5 speed tranny with a 2 speed rear end. I plan on putting it in a Ford F 450,have seen 2 in pick ups in the area,both were 3/4 tons,a Ford 4x4 and a Chevy mechanics service truck. I want to turbocharge this one to keep the noise down.As for the price of these engines you can find them available for about $2500 and cost of parts to rebuild is between $1000 -$1500. there are still plenty of them out there.

[gophergunner]

i can't let this topic slip away. i really want a detroit in a pickup but i can't seem to get any answers on transmissions here.

there are dealers around home that i can get all kinds of engine parts, even complete rebuilt engines of my choice. but the guys there know nothing about any adapters for gmc/chev transmissions.

i've seen and heard of these before, you can get adapters for detroit diesel engine flywheel housings to mate up with gm bellhousings.

anyone have any information on this, or whether or not gm bellhousing patterns match any SAE patterns?

i'm looking to get an NV4500 behind a detroit so i will at least have an overdrive gear, but before i even get started on such a project i need to make sure that the engine to transmission part is easily achievable

thanks

[hifiwasabi]

I've also been bitten by the 2-stroke diesel bug and now have the urge to put a nice high compression 3-53 in an old straight front axle F-100. I've done a little research and there is a company that makes transmission adapters for the SAE bellhousings to mate GM automatic transmissions. Look for http://www.phxgrp.com/transmission.htm and this should be what you're looking for. However, I would rather go the route of an NV4500 OR a 5 speed overdriven Spicer. If you can nab a transmission out of a medium duty stake truck then you have your solution. I saw mentioned somewhere that a stock Chevy SM-420 will bolt right up to the SAE #3 bellhousing. Also, regarding the 6V-53, if you really want that in your pickup then you'll have to beef EVERYTHING in the front end. The engine alone weighs 1500 pounds or so and if you want an Allison add another 5 or 600 to the front end. The 3-53 weighs just over 900 pounds, the 4-53 weighs just over 1100 pounds and the 4-71 weighs a whopping 1800 pounds. Coupled with the three and a half foot height, that 4-71 won't slide in like stock. Heres another good resource: http://www.imageevent.com/lyndsayautumn

[gophergunner]

this gets more and more tempting every time i check out youtube.

just a question to everyone checking this out. I can't seem to find any 3 or 4 cylinder detroits yet. Are there specific trucks or pieces of equipment i should be looking for that would have these smaller engines in them?

Also, having a lot of trouble finding an adapter, someone to make an adaptor or even the bellhousing for SAE to automotive. Any sites that i have checked out that claim to make adapters say they can't do it, or they never reply. Any more leads would be a great help. Thanks

[a5150nut]

The 453's used to power rail road refer units. Know of any rail road wrecking yards? Used to be one in Bakers Akers, Ca. (Bakersfield)

Look out Google, her he comes................

[gophergunner]

don't know of any railroad wrecking yards around here....but i have an uncle who works for CN rail out of Edmonton. I might just have to pick on him about this topic now

[Charliejm]

i know this is an old thread, but i thought id help you guys out. first, you can find diesel engines (just about anything ever made) on www.dieselenginetrader.com

also, on a youtube video i watched a few weeks ago,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0knt...eature=related

If you read the comments the user states that the 4-53 DD was mated to a 4 speed Allison AT540.
hope i could help.