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Diesel swap

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by DUSIEK, Jul 4, 2011.

  1. Jul 4, 2011
    DUSIEK

    DUSIEK New Member

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    Jul 7, 2010
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    Have a question regarding diesel swap. I plan to put Kubota 4 cyl diesel 48.9 HP, model 4IRX3N2, to my Cj5 - 1960 Willys. Is there anyone who did that before? Does it fit regular Willys Cj5 T90 tranny? Thanks for any info regarding that issue
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2011
  2. Jul 4, 2011
    wuze

    wuze lost in austria

    austria-europe
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    Nov 14, 2009
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    600
    here in europe mercedes diesel are realy often in cj`s.
    they fit good.
    you have old mercedes diesels in the us like the 200d or 250d.

    gerald
     
  3. Jul 4, 2011
    DUSIEK

    DUSIEK New Member

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    Thanks for info. Does it fit straight to T90 or I need some kind of adapter to connect engine to the tranny?
     
  4. Jul 4, 2011
    Hansh

    Hansh Going Mobile

    SE Wisconsin
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    I would recommend you check out 4BTswaps.com. There are several diesel swaps on that site. Do a search for Kubota diesel engine swaps.

    Not sure how a Kubota engine would be on the road. It may work good offroad.

    The Kubota engine probably has some SAE numbered bellhousing. Adapters are available from ACME Adapters or Phoenix Castings.
     
  5. Jul 4, 2011
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    AFAIK the only engine that will bolt up directly to the T-90, besides the Jeep engines, is a Studebaker inline 6 cylinder. Anything else, Kubota included, and you will have to make or buy an adapter.

    48 hp is a downgrade from the factory engine, so the Jeep would go from slow to slower. You need more HP in these Jeeps, not less, IMO.
     
  6. Jul 4, 2011
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    I do not know of any that will bolt up without an adapter-save the stock Perkins. Some (or most) of the Benz diesels will no doubt take a custom adapter. My guess is you will not be happy with a 49 hp Kubota-just not enough poop. I don't think you would even be happy with the Benze 190 or 200 diesels which have about the same power as the L134/F134. Maybe a 240D would work but if you want to go to all the effort, a 616/617 300 series would be my choice. The turbo on the 617 makes a WORLD of difference in those and you may actually find an off-the-shelf adapter. That said, I fail to see any real advantage in a diesel powered CJ. When diesel was half the price of gas several decades back, the was an economic incentive-that no longer exists. My preference for any transplants remains the sbc-no other platform offers such a wide range of aftermarket support and the ability to custom design a displacement (with all stock parts at least 12 choices) for the application. And you can rebuild on for about 60-70% what it costs to do a 225.
     
  7. Jul 4, 2011
    DUSIEK

    DUSIEK New Member

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    Thanks all you guys for valuable advices. Looks like it is not worthy to do that unless the diesel engine has turbo installed on it - not enough power. I will stay with my 4 cylinder gas engine. Thanks again.
     
  8. Jul 4, 2011
    billybbean

    billybbean Member

    Kemmerer, Wyoming
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    Apr 29, 2010
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    Swap over to a 225.
     
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