3/4 ton w/6cylinders??

[jinman]

Every Dodge Cummins Diesel on the road is a 6 cylinder...but that's really not what you meant, I don't think.

JimI

 

[s1120]

<font color=red>Thanks to Uncle Sammy, and the EPA, the newer engines, while having the same or more C.I., have less power due to the lower compression ratio. They do not have the same torque and power at lower end of the RPM range</font color=red>

You got that backwards. Back in the 70's, and before, the only motors that had over 8 to 1 compression were the performance cars. Now thanks to FI, most motors have over 9 to 1, and some with alloy heads are running 10 to 11 to 1. Were talking big block muscle car here. And these did not get anywere near the MPG that we get now.

 

[scruffy]

Paul, that 390 I mentioned got decent mileage for what it was, but at 196,000 + miles, I rebuilt it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif It only got 7 hwy, 4 city after that, but ain't nuttin ever got in front of it!
Pulled a little over 540 hp on a dyno meter. Turkey was a problem keeping axles under it, plus with the 5000# pressure plate, it was a bear at a stoplight! That pressure plate also kept breaking pivot arm brackets. The other problem was a set of TA Radials lasted 1500 miles on the rear, and 3000 on the front. Engine was in a 67 AMC Rebel SST 2dr Hardtop, with a factory stock 4 speed.
My 68 Chev 1/2 ton SWBed was only for show/drags, it set 3" off the ground with a 454CI, Muncie 4speed, 410 rear end.
Finally rounded up a 55Jimmy for every day use.

 

[TomP]

Hey all-

Thanks for the replies. Yes, it is the original 4.3liter V6, rated at 160Hp and 235 ft-lbs of torque. It's a 4WD, with standard transmission--don't know about final gear ratio.

Came across a '90 F250 4X2 w/V8 & auto transmission for $2,000 less--Chevy only has 65,000 miles, while the Ford is probably 160,000.

 

[s1120]

scruffy,
Don't get me wrong, I love the old stuff. We have a 70 Mustang that has a 351 that hat 10 3/4 to 1 pistons in it.[next motor will be a little lower, it's hard finding Cam2 gas] I also have a 72 LTD convertible that I will be building a 460 for.

 

[scruffy]

I preferred it myself. Matter of fact, this 95 RAM's injection system I would love to give to you! It's developed the blah's 30000+ miles back down the road. Runs good, just gutless as all get out, pulls well, but no pickup speed to it. Something aint right in Denmark with it, yet no one has been able to find out what. Wonder if its related to the running out of gas when it has 7/8's, 3/4's, 1/2, 3/8's or whatever point it decides to quit. I carry a six gallon can of gas, dump it in when it sputters out, and it fires right back up like nothing happened. Ah the wonders of the newer models! When it totally quits, then I will find out what the problem was. Until then, its carry the gas can!! I'll still take the older engine designs! Carburation and all.

 

[ERNIEB]

At one time, my Dad had a GMC with a V6, early 60's model, I think. 3 speed on the column. He pulled a two horse trailer all over the place with that old truck. Really it's all gears anyway. Right? Didn't they used to say that you could pull a frieght train with a washing machine motor, if you had the right gears?

Ernie

 

[StanInCalif]

Ernie-
In my opinion, that was the best gas engine anyone ever put in a light truck. It's detractors complained about poor fuel mileage, but I always felt that the problem was with the gearing. That engine produced gobs of torque, and was capable of pulling some pretty tall gears, and had it been mated to the five and six speed overdrive transmissions of today, perhaps it would have survived a little longer; but then again, the Ford 300 six went away , too- maybe they just used the the wrong fuel - and cost too much to produce.

 

[scruffy]

Ernie, I would say you hit it right on the head. My Dad's old 62 Chev 3/4 with 1.5 ton suspension and inline six w/4 speed would haul a bed and trailer load of hay or whatever up hill or down all day, so long as you didn't push it over 45. That thing would blow the engine when pushed 55 for more than a couple miles. It was so low geared that it flat over revved at 55. Boy would it dig down in granny and go for it when hooked up to a heavy load, or hauling one. You would know what I mean if you were familiar with a barnyard in Oregon in the wintertime. Darn yuck would get knee deep, and that truck would wade through it.