General Discussion

[Gearstix]

I've been doing a bit of research. I have a little project truck, a 1994 GMC Sonoma. It is currently a 2.2L four cylinder with a five speed manual transmission. Its about 80hp to the wheels, 115 at the crank.

I am sort of wanting to convert the truck over to a small diesel engine. Its no trouble for me to put a fuel tank in it or whatnot. I would like to have a mechanical engine so there is less wiring.

I have found an adapter to convert the SAE bellhousing pattern to a GM automatic transmission.

I'm wondering what appropriate size engine would work for me. I can weld aswell, so its no trouble for me to make motor mounts, transmission crossmembers, etc.

I've been looking at used Caterpillar skid-steer engines. I am not sure what size I would need.

Would I be able to use a generator engine?

I am not sure what emission laws apply, we have no emissions checks here in Canada.

[NewmontTS_2]

My experience with the old 3208s was the RPM problems.  Usually the Diesel engine turned slower and created a whole myrid of problems.  They had some that turned clear up to 3250.  Way too heavy for your project. Your probably talking in the 3114 class of engine. The 4.4 Perkins?  Might be a starting point for your research.  Have fun.. 

[Gearstix]

Well I was trying to find a four cylinder diesel preferribly. I had found a Ford Ranger with a Mazda built Perkins motor but it was not in my city, about 6hrs drive and it had too many kms on it. I was thinking about putting the Perkins and transmission in my truck.

My truck has a Borg-Warner T-5 , I'm not sure if I can get an adapter for it.

I know I can get an adapter for a few different SAE bellhousings to GM automatics. I can put a TH350 or something in it, or a 700R4.

I had found a 32hp Cat skid steer engine for $1800. Probably within my price range, but I figured it'd be too small for my truck. I could do some work to it but, I still don't think it would get that much improvement in power.

[DragonRailways]

FYI: I would choose either the smallest Cat available, or go with a Cummins inline 4.  I took an old Cat 3406 and dropped under the hood of a Mack B61.  Still runs good, although we have had to replace the rear-ends and the transmission, several times.  I am not sure what size Cat would fit your '94, but I do know the Cummins inline 4, will do almost what ever you task it to do.

[DragonRailways]

This may not actually be about converting from Gas to Diesel, but has any one ever heard of a railroad locomotive, (an old GP30), re-engined with a Cat; to which was added a general Electric AC generator?  We have three old EMDs, all have been re-engined using Cat power, although we have had to replace the original generators, with GE AC Generators.  We did the change over as the old EMD diesels were real smokers, and since we use the engines in an industrial park, the smoke wasn't considered to be that bad.   Our problem was that we had to access the Industrial Park using our tracks, which run between two housing developements.  The people who live in those housing developements raised so much H&D, that the city threatened us with removing our tracks, unless we did something to reduce the smoke from our diesels.  So we did.  We put newer Cat diesels in place of the EMDs, and so far every one is happy.  We did, however, take the city into State court, where the City was told they couldn't take out our trackage.  But since we haven't gotten any further complaints from the people that live around where our tracks run; I think every thing is okay.