I am going to look at a 78 chevy with a detroit 2 stroke 4 cylinder in about 20 minutes. The truck also has a lift, big tires, 5 speed manual, and a couple other things. The guy who has it thinks the headgasket is out. Since he owns his own shop, and knows a lot about these things, I believe him. He also said the engine came out of a medium duty truck/dump truck or something and it is pretty big. I know absolutely nothing about 2 stroke diesels, and I am looking for any information you guys can give me. How easy would it be to replace the headgasket? Are these engines pretty tough, or are they better suited to be boat anchors? Thanks for the help, Joe

 

'78 Chevy.... pickup? something bigger?

 

It is in a 1/2 ton pickup, I think. I will know more in about an hour or so after I look at it. I know that the engine, trans, transfer case, front and rear axles, and suspension were beefed up when the swap was done. I'll let you know what I find.

 

I know a guy that has a 3 53 in a chevy 3/4 ton. It sounds awfull but in my opinion all Detroit 2 strokes sound awfull. A four cylinder might be a bit on the heavy side. But they are bullet proof. The 2 strokes are easy to work on and they are cheap to buy parts.

 

There's a guy by me that has one with a 4-53 in it. Gets great milage, but is completely gutless and doesn't cooperate that well in the winter.

 

I wouldn't buy a truck with any 53 series in it, and god help you if its a 71 series. Sure they're easy to work on, if you know what you;re doing and are familiar with a 2 stroke Detroits. I'd personally avoid it like the plague........ESPECIALLY if its already a sick engine.

 

I've seen a 4-53T in an '80's Dodge pickup. They are tough engines, but old technology. Head gasket is not really a big deal, no worse than a Cummins. Like Mike said, it's not gonna be a rocketship (it's only a 212 c.i. engine, after all) and it's going to like to be plugged in. It should be reliable if you keep pouring oil in it. There's a reason for the old saying that a Detroit that's not leaking is out of oil...

 

All of our trenching equipment has, detroit 2 strokes, the backfiller has a 3 cylinder and the trenchers run 4 cylinders, they've been rebuilt once(all machines have around 8,800 hrs and spend almost all operating hrs at WOT. Other than that have never had a problem with em. Have good power for us to as long as you can keep em wound out, don't know how they'd do in a pickup though. And in my opinion they sound really cool at WOT too.

 

..........no no.....THIS sounds cool at WOT

 

That's kind of a sexy photo...

 

that picture turns me on.i would let somebody see my old lady naked before i would let see my engine naked.ilove my engine to much to let people see it naked like that. got any more pictures

 

4-53 Detroit

4 Horse Power, 53 leaks.

chaikwa.

 

That's too funny, Chaikwa!

FireWalker - have you ever considered therapy? Otherwise, there's a website for guys like you....

 

That the only pic I took of that engine. Its an 8v-92 I helped overhaul 3 or 4 years ago. It left the dyno (IIRC) with ~600fwhp and ~2000ftlb.


OK I admit theres no sexier sound than one of these at full load rated speed. but I'd still never own one. theres just too many better engines around nowadays

 

That is AWESOME!!! I bet that'd wake you up every morning you drove it!!