I'm getting some suggestions that putting in a mb diesel engine will hurt resale possibilities.....

I really loath the idea of putting in a chebby v8.

Belly button engine.

1) Is this a project an investment? Won't it be worth more running than in its present condition?

2) Nothing you do to drop in a 617 can't be undone to drop in a SBC.

If your distaste for Chebbies extends to the 602, how about a 4BT?

Sixto
87 300D

I think I suggested a 4BT, didn't I? I bet I could find him one.

I really don't think a 4bt will fit. I don't want all that weight either. When you get yours installed in your Dakota though, I would love a test drive in it.;)

I get it! ha ha
If you are worried about resale, I'd go original. If you really want,or need to repower, then go BIG, or go home. For some reason 500-600 cid with a big GMC blower blocking the windshield is what a lot of people seem to want.
Actually, a Flathead Ford with 3 2bbls seems a natural way to add some power. Flatties are always acceptable in old iron.
Something you don't see all that much, but might be interesting would be one of the Pontiac OHC sixes that they made for a few years back in the 60's.
Its your truck--you decide.

We also discussed yesterday evening
:
1. a 5.7 gm diesel. My favorite machinist used to get 30 mpg with his in a full sized Olds 88. He says he can build one that will last. With a turbo 400 tranny it would make a pretty sweet driving piece which should be capable of mid twenties on fuel economy and at resale time a belly button 350 could be dropped in if necessary by me or the new owner.

2. Going full Studebaker. My favorite machinist has a 63 parts car with a complete 259 v8 which with the right gears should deliver 20 mph highway. That would appeal to the studey guys.

I dunno, a nicely done mb diesel swap would not appeal to everybody but there are some pretty nutty guys out there who might like it. The advantage is I have a lot of the parts on hand now.....but all the engine swapping books ridicule people who make a swap because thats what they have on hand!

Yeah, first time I heard belly button engine i wondered WTF? ...It means everybody's got one.

The blown big block is against all my lifetime of principles. I want to drive it a lot and am not at all interested in a Peenie booster that gets 4 mpg.

The flathead Ford would not have much if any more power than the factory flathead six of 224 ci which is in the truck now.

"The pontiac six is an engine I have always liked and probably worth some thought.

Actually keeping the original flat head six has its appeal along with keeping it all pretty much stock but would render it a town driver pretty much. Dropping in a late model fuel injected v6 of ford or chebby variety would also have its appeal and would be capable of low twenties mpg probably with the right gears.

sounds like I need to do a parts trip up your way....or better yet, buy a car hauling trailer and bring you a 1958 Ponton 220S to keep your Studebaker company.

You do know I completed the 4BT swap into my Dakota last year, right? And it's for sale.

Lots and lots of work to be done before there is any real concern about the motor.

Id ask that if you are gonna rebuild a '39 ... why would you put anything in it that wasnt from '39 ? You have that motor and sure shouldnt take much to get it in great shape.

Mileage ?? How many miles per year are you planning on ?

4.3 Chevy V6? A ton are around in S-10 Blazers and pickups. Good torque...

Chrysler slant six?

If you drop in a SBC, I wonder if you will have to upgrade the rear axle handle the extra power? I have a feeling that the existing rear axle ratio is pretty low, which may necessitate a gearing change anyway if you plan to drive at highway speeds with the engine spinning under 12,000 RPM...

I was thinking that you would normally want an overdrive automatic if the engine you select can bolt up to one.

I want to be able to cruise at 75 and use it as much as I like as I would a modern car.

Slant six is out.:eek:
I'm not doing a mouse motor either.

But my favorite machinist has a complete 64 studie wagon with a 259 v8 which may be in pretty decent condition with a three speed and overdrive plus as a bonus, front discs. This is striking my imagination at the moment. The 259 is a torque motor but will rev to 6000 rpm in a pinch. With the od I can probably get 20 mpg.

Yes, depending on which way I go.

Do you mean 289 V8? Stude did have a V8 of that displacement back in the Sixties.