Some people may hate this but others will think it's way cool. I am going to put a cummins 12 Valve in my 72 Buick Skylark. After building several Chevrolet and Ford Cummins conversions in trucks I have really started to love this motor. Turn up the pump and upgrade the turbo 750-800ftlbs of torque easy. I am limiting mine to 700-750 because of the Richmond 6 speed that I am going to use. I ran this same tranny behind one dynoed at 680ftlbs in a 1/2 to short bed truck. Length is not a problem but height is a real issue. I set the motor in on the crossmember and the hood will actually close, however it bends the inner bracing on the hood. I am going to cut out the bracing where it hits and lower the crossmember 2 inches. 1 inch for more hood clearance and 1 for clearance between the motor and crossmember. I will add pics as often as I take them. Here a couple pics of the motor and the first step, cutting out the crossmember. This is going to be fun.
Keep the pictures coming. Will you be relocating that piece you cut out of the crossmember? That's an important brace considering the suspension bolts right in that area.
I will fab a new one that drops down lower and provides more clearance. I have seen it done on several other cars but this is the first one I have done. Thanks Brent
Looks like fun, cant imagine that amount of power on tap. Have you seen the other members build with the diesel in the Riv?
Just in case you haven't, its pretty awesome. I'm usually a "keep your Buick all Buick" kinda guy, but this kind of ingenuity and "out of the norm" kinda thing is just too cool not to like! Here's a link to an article about it: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?278391-Anyone-read-Diesel-Power-Magazine&highlight=diesel :beers2:
Im a heavy equipment and diesel mechanic so obviously this one caught my attention. I love it! love that motor too, you cant beat those old mechanical Cummins..... Keep us posted on progress.
I have a 96 Dodge Turbo Diesel (12 valve) with a set of BMW performance lifters and a outlandish Banks that can make 40 lbs of boost. Curious as to what you did to get that kind of torque. If I use too much boost, exhaust temps go to 1700 plus. And what an absolutely great project. gonna surprise a bunch of people. Len
I am going to keep the 8.5 10 bolt rear with 2.93 gears and a Detroit locker. I have ran a 9 inch a 10 bolt a 9.5 14 and a dana 60 in conversions and they have all held up well. None of the conversions were made to tow that's when you need a big axle. If your exhaust temps get way too hot then the first thing to do is get a bigger exhaust turbine housing on the turbo and free up the exhaust system. They spool up a little slower but it usually drops the temps a lot. also advancing the injection timing will cool them down sometimes because you are not still burning in the exhaust, this will also slow down the turbo spool up. An excellent way to drop temps is to use a water meth injection system, they are awesome. Thanks for the support and complements guys. I hope to have the new crossmember built this weekend and start on floor mods. Thanks Brent
Thanks so much Brent, I meant injectors by BMW not lifters in my post. Because I don't have electronics as you don't, how do I change the injection timing? Also I hope that let us continue this post for a little while as I'm sure there are a group of people who would love to hear about it. Also, I'm in So. Cal. and just by pure luck, 97 diesels they started smog checking. That made my truck go up in value about 3K...
Loosen the injection pump mounting bolts and rotate the pump to change the timing. I believe if you twist the pump toward the engine would advance timing.? is that correct Brent?
Yes that's how you advance the timing, there are literally 1000 write ups and you tube videos on doing it. Its not hard so go for it. My welder friend and I spent the afternoon working. First are some pics of the frame plated in with 1/4 steel. Then we fabbed up a new crossmember with 2x3x1/4 tubing. I gained almost 3 inches of clearance for the motor.
I set the engine in to get some ideas for mounts and clearance. Note the radiator is in the stock location and the engine has plenty of room from the firewall. Believe it or not the bellhousing is on the motor, it will only require minimal clearanceing on the dr side for better access to the bolts. I will bolt the hood on tomorrow and check for clearance there, it should have 2 inches in the tightest spot if my math is right.
Not really topic related, except, my cousin Ernie Neal, created the first Dodge truck/Cummins engine combination. He worked in the Testing department in Columbus and did this to his own personal truck. He has retired from Cummins, but still does contract work to supplement his drag racing habit. It appears you have this well undercontrol, but, if you have any questions, I'm sure he could give you his input. Troy
Thanks so much for the pics and description. I still have the same type of Dodge tranny but had it upgraded out of Colorado with all new heavy duty parts and more clutches. There is a guarantee on it for a year regardless of failure should that happen. Anyhow, again thanks for the info.
Put me in the "keep it Buick" camp also, but MAN, I sure like that Cummins conversion. Good job! Skip
