Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Best 6 Ever?

I'm interested in opinions on what the best engine choice would be. The parameters are:
Inline 6 cylinder installed into a 3/4 ton pickup. It will pull a trailer...6-10,000 lbs.
Electronic ignition and fuel injection are preferred.
Turbo-charging is definatly a possibility.

I realize a "big block" would do the job but I'm intrigued by making an inline 6 work .
Thanks to all who respond.
Dean

about your best bet would be either the 292 Or if you can find one would be a GMC 302 . And turboing it would be a very good option. It would be a big help in the Hp. hope this helps }[oooooo]
If you not going with the Vthing

Cummins turbo deisel My freind picked one up from a wrecked one for $3500.
I bought me a new Duramax deisel last year. I will never buy a gas motor truck for towing. Bottom line there is NO conpairsion!

STEVEN

Mighty6.......
By Cummins I take it that it was taken from a Dodge pickup?
That was the first thing I thought of when I read the original posting.
There must be some other suitable six cylinder diesels out there?
The engine Dodge uses was an existing design when they first started offering it.
I wonder if it's still a Cummins really or has it now been tweaked enough you have to go to Dodge for parts and service?
Also since most of us deal in older trucks it strikes me that maybe an old 3/4 or 1 ton from the 50's and early 60' doesn't weigh enough to handle that engine.
Maybe you need to go into an actual truck.
A 2 or 3 ton maybe?
This idea (Cummins in old truck)wanders around in my head but I've never really thought to actually do this.
Having owned a 2001 and 2003 Chevy pickup/car I think they've smacked me with the 2x4 and it's finally occured to me that I'd rather spend my money on old truck!
So I've been thinking about what to buy next and let GM fend for themselves. A 64 Chevy panel would be a good fit with the stuff in garage.
Pete

A couple weeks ago when we were at the race track a guy had a 52 chevy pickup on a 1 ton Chevy dually chassis. It was sporting a Duramax/Allison package. The donner truck was rolled and totaled out. Man, it was one slick ride. I should have gotten some pictures. You will see all kind of neat/crazy stuff in a Houston,Texas.

Steven

MIGHTY6 wrote:
>>A couple weeks ago when we were at the race track a guy had a 52 chevy pickup on a 1 ton Chevy dually chassis.<<

I was thinking of basically just a motor and tranny swap but I suppose the old body on the later chassis solves some problems of finding parts and having real brakes.
I like sleepers though, so I'd like the stone stock looking truck with some real grunt under the hood.
A turbo 292 with a 6 speed would work for me.
I'll need to tow a 64 Chevelle wagon on a trailer. 6000# approx.

Dean, you still there?
What direction were you thinking of going in?

Hey Mighty 6 I'd love to see pics of that dually....! I just bought a 1951 3600 and am trying to decide how to do it. So far the dually type wheels are what I'm planning to use. I've considered finding a 6.5 TD dually chassis and using it but I understand that is a difficult project. I own a 1995 K2500 6.5TD that is all souped up. It's great but I think with any diesel engine it will be hard to control NVH in these older trucks. At this point I am going to pursue a 292 or 302 inline 6 possibly turbo-charged with electronic engine management if the hardware is available. Part of my thinking is that I'd like to use the original straight front axle and convert to disc brakes. I have concerns about getting the steering to work well with a V8. Besides a 6 would be smooooth!
Thanks for all the replys.
Dean

Hoosierdaddy- What I meant was I did not get any pictures of the dually truck. I was racing that day and wanted to make sure the video camrea had enough room or battery to tape my runs.

Steven

I know a guy here who has an Isuzu Diesel in a Chev dually with a Ford C6 behind it. He says it pulls really well. I assume it is out of an Isuzu truck. Joe

Actually the Duramax is a Isuzu GM own's them. I have seen some of the early 4 cylinder Isuzu's put in pickup's. That version was a marine motor. My freind's like the Dodge Cummins version. Because it is from a truck allready alot of the componets will move from one truck to the other. The first one's that had mechincal injection and 2 valves are the easiest to convert. But I'm no expert for sure. Being a mechinist and fabricator really help's on project's like this.

Joe Dial- Where in texas are you? I'm in Victoria between Houston and Courpus.

Steven

The Cummins is a great motor. A bit pricey and heavy. Plus you have to be an expert to rebuild one. I think a turbo 292 or 250 would be a great idea. Heck the cummins would be a dog with out the turbo. You know the six can get things moving ok, but when you are at highway speed and start going up hill, you will be really wanting more power. Thats why I think a turbo would complete the picture. Just my 2 cents.
-Dave

This one is an inline six Isuzu diesel.

Mighty six, I'm about as far away from you as you can get and still be in Texas. I'm in Canadian -- far northeast Texas panhandle. Joe

Joe, there is a gentleman somewhere near Ft Worth who took the 454 out of his suburban and installed a 4BT Cummins from a bread truck, etc.(just like a Dodge Cummins only 4 banger.) He says it is much lighter than the 454, cheaper to run and pulls better. This is near sea level, however.

Ed Pruss
Longmont, CO