Do It Yourself Pickup Engine Conversion

Do It Yourself Pickup Engine Conversion ENGINES Engines 7-2-9 If you've been thinking about repowering your pickup with a diesel engine, you'll be interested in a just published manual that gives you step by step instructions for doing the job yourself in your own farm shop. "This manual is the result of more than eight years of full time involvement with pickup engine conversions," says author Doug Fraser, "Our first diesel conversion, a 1969 Ford 3 ton pickup, was sold recently with a total mileage of over 612,000. Its engine runs as good today as it did the day it was installed eight years and 612,000 miles ago." "One reason for publishing this 'how to' manual is the problems many owners have had with newer GMC diesel engines. We've been involved with the replacement of many of these engines. Many owners are stuck with a late model pickup with very few miles and a bad engine. Our manual tells how to solve the problem with a do-it-yourself engine conversion," Fraser told FARM SHOW. Directions in the manual are based on using a 3 ton Ford pickup as the vehicle. "You can use your judgement to easily adapt the instructions to other makes," Fraser points out. "Some makes may not have adequate factory front ends to accept the conversion without extensive and expensive modifications. We recommend 1969 to 1978 Fords - all of which have almost the same frame - as the best units to start with if you don't already own a pickup." Fraser's manual details use of a special type of bell housing which, he says, is the key to a trouble-free conversion. The system he strongly recommends bolts an engine to a transmission using the same make parts for the clutch and clutch control. "Almost every other method needs parts from many sources to complete a conversion," he notes. The manual lists all the parts you'll need - and their numbers to make it easy to obtain them locally. It also gives you a listing of all the required tools. Sells for $10. "Purchase of the manual entitles you to call for consultation on any problems you may encounter while repowering your pickup," says Fraser.

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