Detroit Diesel

**gophergunner** · 06-13-2007, 16:32

ok, so i think i'm a little obsessed with the old Detroits, but i just love the sound they make. Now i've been thinking for a while that i would like to have an old 2-stroke in a pickup truck but i'm not really sure which to use and even if i decide i will need some help on picking a transmission and transfer case combo.

so the contenders as of now are a 3-53, 4-53, 6v-53, or a 4-71

3-53 seems a little underpowered for my likings, but very economical and still has the great sound.
4-53 seems little better but i just have to watch the weight of the whole thing. these aren't exactly meant for pickup trucks.
6v-53 is supposed to have a fair amount of power and a bit higher reving
4-71.......well i was told the 71 series was the best engines detroit ever made

right now i'm leaning towards the 4-71 because i have found an aluminum bare block (no crank or head or any other parts) which works quite well since i would have rebuilt the whole thing anyways. The aluminum block will save me lots of weight, as its apparently only about 175 lbs according to the seller.

now i'm just wondering if anyone else has any input here, or if i should ditch the aluminum block for some cast iron, or else a different series engine altogether. don't even mention cummins because they could never make me as happy as an old detroit could.

if your curious about what i'm putting it in, i'm thinking about a 1969-1972 body style, 3/4 ton 4x4 gmc. of course i would start with this engine and build the truck from the groung up i think. if i'm going to do it i might as well do it right.

**Craig M** · 06-13-2007, 17:32

Quite a few have done the 453/453T in 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. Most have been very happy. The 6V53/6V53T will give you the maxim power, but like you said, a bit heavy. Have not seen a 471/471T in a pickup. Others have stated the additional height will make the install a bit tougher than the 453T. An aluminum 471T should give you good power and a reasonable weight engine. Tie rod, oil pan, steering, transmission hump, engine mounts are all issue that may have to be dealt with during the install. Saw a 671 in a 3/4 ton Ford, so if that can be done all else is gravy.

**gophergunner** · 06-13-2007, 20:53

from the info i found online the 471 is only a few inches difference in height compared to the 453.

i just have a good lead on that aluminum block and i hate to pass it up if its a good and very possible conversion, but i also hate to waste my time if there is a better detroit option for a pickup.............but if a 671 can fit in a 3/4 ton i shouldn't have any trouble.

**Craig M** · 06-14-2007, 08:47

The 671 fit, but not without problems. No engine fan, used electric pusher fan on the bumper side of the radiator. Firewall was "extended" into the cab area to get the long 6 cylinder in. The guy got the 671 cheap, so did not mind the extra work to install it. A 471 should not have the fan/firewall issues. 2 inches is not much, but the clearance from steering/suspension to the hood are tight. A louvered hood could solve the issue.

**gophergunner** · 06-14-2007, 10:15

well i'm going to try to get this 471 and rebuild it.....might take some time tracking down parts and that because its just a bare block. but i think a body lift might help solve any height clearance issues.

another problematic area will be clutch, transmission, and transfer case......don't even know where to start that would fit any of these detroit engines and would also work well for a pickup application

**Craig M** · 06-14-2007, 14:52

Transmission should not be a problem. Allisons auto's (old style AT545 or similar) or various manuals will bolt right up. Lots of old manual transmissions at local wrecking yards. I saw that aluminum block on ebay also. You might want to buy a "parts" 471 to get all the components you will need at a reasonable cost. Rebuild kits will have liners, pistons and that, but lots of small parts will be required, and buying them from a parts store could get expensive.

**6.5NOVA** · 06-15-2007, 13:12

Take a look...........

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/6...3d011bba43.htm

twin turbo 6V-92 with 157 mm injectors...

**arveetek** · 06-16-2007, 12:42

Originally Posted by Craig M

Saw a 671 in a 3/4 ton Ford, so if that can be done all else is gravy.

I, too, once saw a 6-71 in a 3/4 ton Ford once. Seems like it was an early 70's or late 60's model Ford. I saw it at a truck and tractor show in Republic, Missouri.

I've seen a couple of other pickup trucks with 6-71's shoe-horned into them, but it is a tight fit and a lot of fabrication is necessary.

My dad has a 6-71 mounted in a custom truck he's building, but he now wants to find a 8.3L Cummins to replace it. He's decided the Detroit would be a bit loud for highway use.

Casey

**gophergunner** · 06-20-2007, 22:15

i called up a local fellow who deals with old detroits and rebuilding and what not. i tell him what i want to do and the first thing he says is cummins 5.9 litre.........he's not discouraging me yet but the aluminum block on ebay is about to end, sorry if anyone else is planning on bidding on it, but i think i might as well take a chance on it because the aluminum ones don't come up too often.

just hoping for that last little bit of input someone might have about a 4-71 being a bad choice.........anything at all??

**Craig M** · 06-21-2007, 08:48

The Cummins is a good engine, but does not have the sound of a Detroit 2 stroke. An aluminum 471T will be a relatively light good torque diesel engine. If shipping was not $203 I might consider that aluminum 471 block.

**gophergunner** · 06-21-2007, 09:40

$203 seems kinda cheap for shipping that thing..........

gotta spend my money on something, might as well be something unique that i enjoy

i heard a rumour that detroits are very expensive to rebuild though......i don't believe it yet because i was also told by someone else that there are so many parts available for them. anybody know from experience on this?

**Craig M** · 06-21-2007, 16:08

I see rebuild kits about $1200 for 6V53's. 471 should be less, just a bit harder to find.

**journeyman** · 07-15-2007, 20:33

I have heard of aluminum blocks for Detroits in submarines (what about the heads?) but never seen one.
Which did you see for sale? 4-53? 6V53?

I have always thought an aluminum 6v in a pickup would be incredible (if you have a LOT of sound insulation)

**Craig M** · 07-16-2007, 06:50

3-53 an 4-71 are freqwuently available with aluminum blocks. 3-53's from the GAMA goats.

**journeyman** · 07-16-2007, 22:40

Anyone have any weight specs on an aluminum DD?
4-53, 71?
6v53?
6v71?

**ARAMP1** · 07-17-2007, 22:42

Originally Posted by journeyman

Anyone have any weight specs on an aluminum DD?
4-53, 71?
6v53?
6v71?

I've got an aluminum 4-71 block and it weighs just under 200 pounds.

I think it's a bit hard to look at total weight of an engine. I suppose you can have an aluminum block, head(s), front plate and cover, rear plate and bellhousing. Many times, these were mixed and matched ie aluminum block/iron head, etc.

**ARAMP1** · 07-17-2007, 22:43

Originally Posted by ARAMP1

I've got an aluminum 4-71 block and it weighs just under 200 pounds.

I think it's a bit hard to look at total weight of an engine. I suppose you can have an aluminum block, head(s), front plate and cover, rear plate and bellhousing. Many times, these were mixed and matched ie aluminum block/iron head, etc.

Wow, that was my first post in here. Sierra Hotel! I guess I'll introduce myself.

**a5150nut** · 07-18-2007, 11:52

Welcome to TDP.

Now you broke the ice, you can speek up a little more often now.......

Whats ya gona doo with that alum block? Any project in mind?

**ARAMP1** · 07-18-2007, 17:54

It's going in my one ton Chevy.

**journeyman** · 07-18-2007, 20:19

Would love to see (specs, pics, applications...) of the 6v53 in aluminum. Any info?

Anyone?

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