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Thread: Engine swap possible?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2025
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    1

    Default Engine swap possible?

    My son purchased a 2000 Mack bucket truck (CS200P Midliner Mack base frame) for his tree service. The vehicle ran great, but last time he had it out, it let out a bang then started knocking very bad. They stopped and looked around, there was no obvious oil leaks or damage, but once they got it home, they pulled the oil filter and there was a load of brass filings in the oil. A friend advised him that it had thrown a connecting rod bearing and the piston would in all probability slapped the valves, damaged the piston/sleeve and probably shredded the crankshaft. Not a problem, or so he thought.....

    Once he lifted the hood, he discovered that the engine was a Renault MIDR 06.02.12 (6.2L turbo charged not electric injection) and parts for it were like searching for chickens teeth in a pigpen. He contacted Mack and they informed him parts were no longer available for that engine other than the normal consumables (Belts filters starters alternator and various pumps) So now he has an $80,000 truck sitting idle.

    What he asked me to look into for him was the possibility of removing the POS Renault Engine and hot swapping it for a Cummins/cat/Detroit of comparable power and displacement. Or some other engine that he can at least get parts for. I told him his main concern would be to find and engine that was NOT electronic injection, the motor mounts and the bell housing that connects it to the Eaton 4106B 6 speed manual transmission. I have searched for days and can find swaps for the larger engines on big rigs, but nothing for the smaller swaps on mid sized trucks and ZERO on Renault swaps. Why Mack stuck a french engine in a Canadian truck boggles the mind.

    I can't even find any information on the bolt patterns of that engine on the bell housing and whether or not they are some kind of industry standard. Seeing as it is a Renault Engine, my guess would be that the bell housing would be proprietary to that engine so that engine swaps would be a massive PITA. Does anyone know if such a thing has ever been attempted? Or at least some place where pistons/sleeves/cranks and mains can be obtained. (I have found several sites, but they all list the parts as out of stock) Mack has been ZERO help throughout all this, all they can suggest is a $45,000 upgrade to an electronic injection system on a brand new engine.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    New Hampshire - Live Free or Die
    Posts
    6,112

    Default

    Why Mack stuck a french engine in a Canadian truck boggles the mind.
    It's French-Canadian. Makes perfect sense to me...

    Maybe Eaton could give you some info on what engines pair with the transmission, and/or what adapters are available.
    The Constitution needs to be re-read, not re-written!

    If you can't handle Dr. Seuss, how will you handle real life?

    Current oil burners: MB GLK250 BlueTEC, John Deere X758
    New ride: MB GLS450 - most stately
    Gone but not forgotten: '87 F350 7.3, '93 C2500 6.5, '95 K2500 6.5, '06 K2500HD 6.6, '90 MB 350SDL, Kubota 7510

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2001
    Location
    Knoxville,Tennessee
    Posts
    2,703

    Default

    Try Drivetrain.com in Reno they know transmissions might have a suggestion to what might bolt up. Maybe a Cummings 12 valve.
    "The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government."
    -Patrick Henry


    A5150nut
    2006 K3500 D/A
    94 6.5 4x4 5spd Sold

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Yukon Canada
    Posts
    1,758

    Default

    The complete truck is a Renault...
    I have one that is a little older
    You might be further ahead to find an engine transmission unit out of another mid size truck instead of looking for adapters.
    I bought a 2000 Topkick with 3116 cat and an Allison cheap.
    But seeing it has an Eaton transmission there should be a bell-housing for North American Engines. I believe they are a industry standard and all engines fit.
    There happens to be a Swiss farmer in town here with lots of Renault experience so he has worked on this truck prior to me ending up with it.
    90 Chev 3500 c/c 4x4,6.2na,400 auto,4:10 gears.DSG Timing gears,main girdle, isspro tach, pyro,boost,oil and trany temp.Dual Tstats, High volume peninsular pump,on shelf, Custom turbo and intercooler 85%complete. Change of plans for the dually, it's going to get a Cummins. Both trucks are Blue 90 4x4 crews

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Yukon Canada
    Posts
    1,758

    Default

    Any news?
    90 Chev 3500 c/c 4x4,6.2na,400 auto,4:10 gears.DSG Timing gears,main girdle, isspro tach, pyro,boost,oil and trany temp.Dual Tstats, High volume peninsular pump,on shelf, Custom turbo and intercooler 85%complete. Change of plans for the dually, it's going to get a Cummins. Both trucks are Blue 90 4x4 crews

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2000
    Location
    Montana
    Posts
    11,488

    Default

    Diesel conversions have been a somewhat popular endeavor for useful older vehicles with engines/parts no longer available. Your truck might be a good project for an older 12-valve Cummins...

    Jim

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