Well, I'm embarking on another Land Rover project powered by a Benz diesel. This time it will be a long wheel base model and powered by a 617 turbo. I'm going to balance and install a 616 flywheel to the back of it but was wondering...Do the 617s have a "thrust" face on one of the main bearings to take the load of the clutch being disengaged? Were there different bearings and crank shafts for the Euro manual 617s?

Thanks in advance for any insight.

By the way...this is what these trucks look like when I start!

wow.. not much to it when you start out..

the sticks and autos have the same cranks.

now that is an ambitious project. but hey, with an aluminum body, why not?

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Just 'cause it's aluminum doesn't mean is doesn't corrode. In fact, most of the body panels will need to be replaced (including all the aluminum ones). The only things that will be saved are the bulkhead (firewall), windshield frame and roof. The rest is gone.

For reasons I won't bore you with, this truck is an elusive candidate for the 617 swap as it is a rare NADA 6cyl version and has a very deep bulkhead. There were only 1500 ever built and all came to the US or Canada. I've got a 616 in my short wheel base truck but thought installing a 617 would be impossible because of the extra length. That is, until I saw this bulkhead!

Anyway, these are bolt-together trucks and almost all the parts are still available so they're very easy to restore. The first big purchase will be a new galvanized chassis.

Anyway, thanks for the help!

Jim

And if you haven't seen, this is what the 88" (short wheel base) truck looks like now. Powered by a 616. Even drove it to Labrador last year!

awesome. Have you taken it swimming with that snorkel?

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1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

No, nothing too deep. I did cross the Platte River in Wyoming with it once and I’ve had it about three feet deep here and there, but it’s not very good for the truck so I try to avoid it. The snorkel is mainly for getting clean air to the motor when running in a convoy on dirt roads.

it looks lovely! i have always liked those little land rovers. with a benz diesel seems perfect.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.