Ok so I've started a new job recently and at work we have this old (1970s era I'm guessing) mining style dump truck and it has some form of a Detroit Diesel 2 stroke motor, its a V8, supercharged (looks to be a roots style) and its rated at 270hp at around 1900RPM. I'm guessing this is an 8Vsomething? I don't know the displacement of it but I honestly think its only a bit bigger than a big block gasser in physical size.

Now with that being said, this thing not only sounds sweet, its deafening loud. So is there any chance a guy could swap this into a 1 ton truck frame/body. I'm thinking maybe an 80's F-350 Dually? Or am I absolutely in lala land with this idea? I've seen a video on youtube with a DD 2 stroke in his early 90s chevy but its making his front end sag quite a bit (or he has it lowered) but with the stack out of the hood, its pretty sweet.

So am I crazy for thinking of doing something like this? Or should I find a different project like getting some injectors and a bigger turbo for my truck.

Keep in mind, if it is possible, I don't plan on doing it anytime soon and the truck would only be at the sled pulls for a few runs and laughs.

 

sounds like a 318 detroit to me, 8v71. .. should put out 318 hp as the name suggests. Im not sure what the weight of the motor is but its definitely no small block gas job, it would probably take a lot of front suspension work to make it work and who knows if it would fit under the hood. Also, you need to think about a tranny for it as any sort of standard light truck transmission wont cut it anymore.

 

after i watched that video again i see that guy has a 4-53 in that chevy, and it is clearly lowered. I havent been around tooo many detroits, only a few 6 and 8s, but my guess is an 8 is a huge stretch for fitting in a pickup. you might be able to do an old v6, but the question really becomes whats the point.

 

dont fit???? ive never ever heard those words........if you got a welder and a torch it WILL fit in the truck, and yes, detroits sound awesome, people can say what they want about leaking oil and all those other things but they will work most of those other diesels into the ground.

 

I think it's a cool idea, I also saw a 99 or 2000 ford superduty with a 6v in it, it was for sale on ebay a while back. Kinda neat.

 

Crazy? I thought that was a requirement to join the site. I was too young to remember, but a guy came up to our place to pick parts up with a late 70's ford with a 3208 cat jammed under the hood, it was tight, had to get creative with the air intake and filters, I think my dad said he had 2 smaller filters off to each side plumbed into the intake because there was no more room against the hood.

I think a 8V-71 (71 cu. in. per cylinder, 568 cu. in.) is close to the same size as a 3208 (636 cu. in. IIRC), I'm sure it can be made to fix with some creativity. There's a reason they made the torch and electric welder. I know there's a DT466 in a Chevy out by me, which is physically close dimension wise to a 6-71.

I've heard it said that Detroit Diesel's where GM's answer to the self lubricating truck.

 

Especially when it came to external lubrication - or lubrication of the road as you passed over it...

Yep it'll fit somehow...if the price is right (and I assume it is our you woudn't be asking) it can be done. Takes lots of patience, and you may not have a hood when you're done, but you're not planning on this as a daily-driver, are you?

Are the 8V's as prone to "runaway" as the 6V's were?

 

yeah if the rack gets stuck open, can happen to any of the 2 strokes i believe -- maybe not the 92s but my guess is yes on those too

 

you might want to check on the weight of that motor. detroits arent known for being light weight.

 

we have one of those stuffed into the lobser boat i captain in the sumer. Them things are a big engine, but like its been said so many times.... if ou are ready for a project, stat fabricating!!!

GOOD LUCK

 

I bet it would fit just fine in the bed...

 

So...were you prophetic in your question...we now have TWO people trying ot put 8V detroits' in a truck....?

I vote for a twin-engined rig in this case...an 8V in the bed driving the rear wheels, a 6V in front driving the fronts, a locked steering wheel (straight-line only) and dual fuel tanks under the cab...oh yes and a kevlar suit for the driver.

 

Jeez and I think I'm nuts for wanting a 2 stroke diesel in a truck.

When and if this project comes around it will be strictly a truck to take to the pulls or car shows and show people what a plasma cutter, a welder and some head scratching can come up with

 

Local emissions laws might be an issue. Other than that, you might need to install an oil level make-up tank in the bed due to leakage. And a pair of vice grips on the fuel rack EVERY time you start it up.
I had a Detroit Diesel calendar one time, I had to return it to the dealership and file a warranty clain on it 'cause it kept leaking oil on my floor!!!!

 

all detroits came with emergency shutdown cables to choke off the blower. now, the problem of course is that most people removed them over the years. so you might want to check and put that back on should it be missing if you go through with the project.