6BT Cummins in IH pickup

I know a guy that had a Cummins 4BT in one and a Detroit 3-53 in the other. Both 1960s IH 2WD trucks with straight axles in front.

I've been waiting for a good deal on a 4BT for years. Pricey and never seem to go cheap. 6BTs I find all over the place fairly cheap. I just passed one up for $800. Cheapest 4BT so far has been $2200 and 1500 miles away.

Nothing wrong with the 6BT. Just a fuel mileage thing. An IH with a 6BT and proper gearing can probably get 18-19 MPG, whereas a 4BT can probably get 23-25 MPG.
 
I've not seen one in a IH pickup but it would be cool. What year model are you looking for? I'd like to have a 48 or 49 model and put a 4bt or 6bt in myself.
 
never seen a 6, probably can be bolted to the ih tranny with a kit, but id do some careful measuring first, i think the big problem is going to be fitting the engine in the engine bay on the ih, im not sure there room lengthwise, the 4 bt would be better, and still have plenty of power
 
There may be quite a few 4bt engines available here in the near future. With the Hostess company liquidating, their bread delivery trucks will be on the market. I think many of them have the 4bt engines in them.
 
I worked for a guy in New Zealand years ago who used an old late 60s IH pick up as his farm truck, it was fitted with a perkins 6.354... only did about 40mph flat out, had a 4 speed stick shift... really only needed top gear too, i think it had a 4.10 rear end...
 
Try and find an old Scout that came from the factory with the diesel. Should make for an easy swap I'd think.
 
I drove diesel Scouts for years as a John Deere service vehicle. The 2nd one had a turbo. I don't think that Nissan diesel has anything in common with any Cummins.

Jeep also sold a diesel truck a little earlier then the IH. Came with a Perkins. Did not sell very well.

Even Dodge had one for one year. Used a Mitsubishi six cylinder diesel.
 
That would be cool. That is one of my favorite body styles from IH. The 6bt is easier to find. The 4bt will cost a little more under normal circumstances. You can buy adapter kits to hook a 6bt or 4bt to other transmissions. Just for a riding around truck and not doing a lot of very heavy work the 4bt would be fine if you wanted to keep the motor stock I think.
 

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