Wow that really stinks! Is the engine OK? After all the work you went through I hope it's just a radiator fix to get you back on the road.

 

Aviator I was thinking a tarp in the bed and filling it with water haha.

technojunkie- She's fine. I was on the way to the machine shop and I started smelling coolant a mile or so out. I just limped it on there . The temp never went over 180. I'm going to order an aluminum radiator when I get some money together.

 

Atarp would work but then you get the whole sloshing issue.. I think one of the Top Gear shows featured a pool in the bed idea and when they hit the brakes the cab got swamped... but if you're only going to drive the truck on Saturday night that might not be a problem...

 

just went through every word of your thread! very inspirational! You remind me alot of myself. Im only 22 and having extensive knowledge in something is very rewarding, I can see you have a strong nack for this stuff. I would love to do a diesel engine in my runner but im not really familiar with the diesel side of things. Engine performance is my thing and diesels have alot to do with that. Anyways made up your mind to do a MB motor instead of like a toyota diesel?

 

How much would you charge for a pilot bearing adapter?

 

Thanks! Thats interesting I'm 22 too.Honestly the main reason I didn't do a Toyota engine is they are harder than heck to find. The 2LTE which would have been the most viable and economical swap in the Yota family wasn't known for a ton of longevity. The 617 is cheap plentiful and darn near bulletproof. They also rev pretty high which makes them more apt for a gas drivetrain. Most diesels would wrapped out at the rpm these trucks run at cruise speed. As far as small diesels go over here we have few choices. I pondered the 4bt Cummins and I may do it yet but I have a real hard time liking them. Plus they are stupid heavy. I'll tell you this. If you do this swap be very familiar with whatever you choose to put in it. I know the 617 forward, backward, up, down, left, right and everything in between and everything I know about it I learned during the swap. If you do go froward with it feel free to ask any questions I'll be glad to help how I can. Good Luck!

 

To be completely honest I don't have time to make one right now. Holler at Brian at tdswaps.com or 4x4 labs. They will fix you up. I think they are like 45 dollars. I am going to have to get one from them too. My pilot bearing locked up and spun inside of mine so I have shim stock holding it in right now.

 

Bada$$ thread!

 

hey bud i just got the cab bolted back on my frame and have the majority of stuff hooked up so i decided to fire it up and at a idle it will vibrate your dick off . do you have any vibration like that . then i noticed if i turn up the idle a little to smooth the vibration then rev it . the motor takes a seconed to return to idle . any input on this ?

 

If you adjust the idle screw on the outside you reduce the internal rack travel in the pump. This holds the barrels open a little more giving more fuel thus making the engine slow to return to idle. You can correct this with adjustments inside the pump, but proceed with caution and keep a co2 fire extinguisher incase it runs away.

 

I finally have a radiator on order for my truck. Hopefully it will be back on the road next week. I miss having it. I ordered a little bigger radiator so hopefully it will cool a little better. Im debating on playing with the pump a little more while I'm in there, but I'm pretty happy with how it is for now. I guess I'll see how much time I have next week.

 

Awesome job Joe. Just got done reading the whole thing. I've got an 85 300SD and just bought a 83 4WD short bed truck from the original owner.

For the pump - do you know of the guy in Finland who will punch out the M pump and put bigger elements in? Not cheap at all but he does top notch work. I have also heard the stock pump is only good for 150 HP max.

Once again - nice work.

Eric

 

I have my engine pulled. I need to disassemble it and inspect it. Do you have a web site if I need to get replacement parts?
Thank you, Phessor

 

Mercedes source.. google it. Awesome site

 

Google OM617 rebuild kit. It will come up with a kit from peachparts. I spent $500 on replacement parts from them the first time through the engine. All quality parts. Free shipping over $100 (and it's like 2-3 day shipping - very quick)

 

Hey powerstroke joe,

I've read every post of your thread and must say you've got some serious skills I'd like to have someday. You're quite inspirational I must be honest. Lord knows I couldn't manage what you have haha. This whole write-up is definition of helpful, and seriously can't thank you enough. I'm also super glad to see the thread still being posted updated so recently.

Now for the business end of this reply.
I picked up a 90 4runner that has no drive train for $400. It's runnin 33's, and what looks to be a 4" suspension lift. IFS. After reading this build up and several others, I think I've finally set my heart on the om617. Always wanted a diesel, but know absolutely noting about them, other than glow plugs instead of spark plugs lol. Because I need to save alot more, I thought I'd ask you and the yota masses of any prep work to do, measurements to take, etc. Im taking the route of buying the harder custom parts like the pilot bearing, motor mounts, etc due to a lack of tools.
Any ideas of prep to do? Anything to watch out for when buying the motor? Anything you'd do different? And also did your trans crossmember mount in the stock location? I'm also concerned about emissions, the folks in CO are always uptight with me it seems like.

Thanks so much any help at all is useful. Can't wait to be runnin diesel in 'er. Ill stop my blabbering now.
Cheers, Bryan

 

Also forgot...truck takes a 5speed w56 and a 22re (probably makes no difference) I'd like to use the w56. Someone have a better idea tell me...just needs to be stick lol

Also any other things to add to the parts list? Ill probably end up buying a whole donor car.....

Thanks for any help

 

Well I finally have a minute to sit down and update the thread. Life with Pop gone on the farm has been pretty hectic. He and I used to custom bale hay in the summer and we had committed to a couple big jobs last year and I decided to keep them. I put up more hay than I ever want to see again. Needless to say its been pretty hectic. I got the radiator put in the Yota back in May. I had to have it modified a bit to clear the alternator. It seems to work well and it cools much better than the stock Mercedes one. I have a few pictures of the radiator work. I'll have to grab a picture of the finished product tonight when I go out.

Heres a few shots of some of the work I did this summer.

I got a new toy for the farm. Its hands down the most useful piece of machinery we have.
Lastly I guess I might have to change my name on here because after 6 years of owning Power Strokes I traded my 6.4 off. I bought a new 2013 Ram 2500 Mega Cab Laramie 6.7 Cummins backed by a 6 spd manual. So far I have about 600 miles on it and love it.

Thats about all I have for now. I'll be sure to keep more up dated than I have been. Thanks Guys for keeping this alive!

 

Awesome thread, Joe. Read the whole thing over the last few days. I've never seen an engine swap walk through this detailed - tons of great info for the inexperienced. After lurking Yotatech for a while, I felt like I had to finally register to thank you for your dedication to documentation

 

Just to chime in real quick, I made a short list of parts for my reference and price estimating. If I'm forgetting anything (that I should get from a junk yard anyway) if value your input. Thanks!!

1. Toyota transmission
2. Conversion kit
3. Driveshafts
4. Flywheel
5. Starter
6. Gm alternator
7. Clutch kit

I am going to be using the 4x4labs kit for and will be using a w56 tranny. Thanks again