300d standard trans conversion

[buyabsellonebay]

I am going to resurrect a 69 Ford P/U with a 84 300sd motor. Does anyone know what standard transmission and flywheel will fit? I know a 240d will but they are hard to find. I would really like to get a five speed in there. Thanks, Chris

[t walgamuth]

that came of that era were rare as the ivory billed wood pecker.

the fiver that came in t he 190 s might work, but i am not sure how strong they are. they are rare too.

all in all the 240 tranny seems like the most likely candidate and the most available.

good luck with your offbeat project. i have a weak spot for such things. but remember it will probably be almost saleproof.

tom w

[buyabsellonebay]

I won't be looking to sell the truck when it is up and running. I will drive any where from 300 to 500+ miles to race my old sleds. This is just about every weekend in the winter. Then there are grass drag races in the summer. When I am not racing, I am chasing parts and sleds. I have been out to OH and MI after stuff. So this is where the need for a truck comes in. You can't buy a diesel that gets any milage any more. Auto makers have more power on the brain. Besides I couldn't afford one if they did. The old truck weighs about 1100 pounds less then the 300sd. With the standard trans and the right gears there is no reason I shouldn't get 25mpg + under load on the highway. Which is far better then my 85 300d(cal version) or my 90 Pathfinder. Has anyone else gone this route? Looking for ideas. How about a cheap 240 standard trans? Chris

[leathermang]

I think it sounds like a wonderful project...just be sure to check the kinds of things old Hot Rodders knew to look at first..before investing too much money... like the location of the lowest point on the oil pan compared to the front crossmember....
Most Diesel trucks these days have so much stuff in the engine compartment that you can't even get your hand in there...
Now if you want to think long range happiness.... fix your truck front sheet metal so it will pivot up to the front... so you can just walk up to all your mechanicing chores... it would particularly help if you did this first on this project....

[Mister Byrnzoil]

You might also wanna consider things like dual batteries, block heater, renew the glow system, anti-gell additives... time spent in preparation sure beats time spent in a frosty parkinglot cursing @ yer truck.

As far as the tranny goes, you might as well give up on an affordable/available 5 spd and settle for a 4 spd (like I did after searching for 6 months)

Good luck and take lots of pics.

[buyabsellonebay]

The motor has a block heater in it. I have a new set of glow plugs for it. Dual batteries are in the works. I fought all those deamons with my 300d last year. Sometimes I learn the hard way. The lift up front is a great idea. Definitely will make the truck unique. I went racing last year in -25 temps. Sled ran like a demon. At the end of the day the car needed a boost. There is no place to plug it in at the races. Has anyone gone through the trouble to put two batteries in a 300d? Atleast I got it started. My buddies 6.2 diesel chevy wouldn't start. Have you ever seen a mercedes tow a 3/4 ton truck and snowmobile trailer? Pretty funny looking.

[R Leo]

Originally Posted by leathermang

I think it sounds like a wonderful project...just be sure to check the kinds of things old Hot Rodders knew to look at first... like the location of the lowest point on the oil pan compared to the front crossmember....

I briefly considered this sort of conversion on my '82 F-100 and abandoned it when I looked at the location of the MBZ oil sump (forward) and where the axles were on the Ford. A '69 Ford isn't all that different under the skin.

[dlssmith]

I have access to an old '57 Chevy pu that needs many things, primarily a motor and tranny. I have been contemplating an MB diesel conversion too. The Chev has a real cavern under the hood which makes it kind of fun to work on.

The biggest problem, once you figure out whether the engine will actually fit over the cross member, is working out clutch issues. Lots of creative welding to do.

One thing to consider about the height of the cross member and fitting all together: I saw a conversion one time and the guy had altered the transmission hump in the floor to accomodate the set up. It looked good all covered with carpet.

[buyabsellonebay]

Originally Posted by R Leo

I briefly considered this sort of conversion on my '82 F-100 and abandoned it when I looked at the location of the MBZ oil sump (forward) and where the axles were on the Ford. A '69 Ford isn't all that different under the skin.

Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I don't think the front axel will be a problem for me. Does your 82 have ball joints on the spindel hubs. My 69 has a kingpin setup. This puts the axel much closer to the ground. The truck was setup with a 300cu inline six cylinder gas motor. It has a ton of clearence all the way around. The clutch and shifter will be tricky. I am thinking of making a adaptor plate for the motor and mounting it to the four speed that is in the truck. What does everyone think about the idea? Am I dreaming?