Is A Marine Diesel Feasible For A Small Pickup Truck?

by **Monte** » Mon May 12, 2014 4:20 pm

I have wanted a small diesel(very fuel efficient) pickup for a while. Since no manufacture sees fit to provide one, do you think it is practical to repower a small pickup with a marine diesel? Maybe 50 mhp, 134 ci, 450 lbs. The problems I expect are connecting this thing to a transmission, building mounts, cooling. adding an air conditioning unit, etc. What about the power curve? etc.

by **tim** » Tue May 13, 2014 11:37 pm

but my understanding is that they are engineered to run at a steady rate for extended periods of time, while an automotive diesel is engineered to be tolerant of stop-and-go driving. I'd suggest looking at the older used car lots. I think there have been diesel powered small pickups in the past. you could also look into transplanting a midsize car diesel drivetrain into a pickup. However, I have been told you have to be aware of gear ratios when you do that.

by **avikar76** » Thu May 15, 2014 6:29 am

Very interesting yet not practical idea... I don't see an easy way of implementing marine diesel into small pickup truck. It just something that doesn't belong there. There are numerous problems that will pop out for you to improvise toward the final goal - very fuel efficient p/u. Cooling, power transmission, differentials... You should know that marine diesel engine will burn much more fuel than if you use some other engine and improvise mounts and few other things. The resistance toward moving of a vehicle compared to a boat is a lot bigger and small marine wouldn't do the job. Bigger might but then you loose your starting idea for all this. Why not just find an old VW w/ diesel engine 1.6l and fit it in the truck. There is a movie in some European country as I can recall where dude is trying to make a PLANE powered with this engine. Of course... he failed... but then again... it's just a movie... :-) newbie8304997 71 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

by **jabarl** » Thu May 15, 2014 12:28 pm

You can do anything but will you be happy with the results. I don't think the torque curve of a marine enging would match a pickup truck's requirement. Marine engines like to work at a constant speed while a pickup need a lot of low end torque and a wide torque curve. I don't think the car would be very drivable. Of course the devil is in the details.

by **Beldene** » Sat May 17, 2014 12:19 am

I think you might know more about performance spec on the marine diesel... but my understanding is that they are engineered to run at a steady rate for extended periods of time, while an automotive diesel is engineered to be tolerant of stop-and-go driving. I'd suggest looking at the older used car lots. I think there have been diesel powered small pickups in the past. you could also look into transplanting a midsize car diesel drivetrain into a pickup. However, I have been told you have to be aware of gear ratios when you do that. TheLightWorks 71 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

by **arrigo** » Sat May 17, 2014 12:28 pm

I don't see an easy way of implementing marine diesel into small pickup truck. It just something that doesn't belong there. There are numerous problems that will pop out for you to improvise toward the final goal - very fuel efficient p/u. Cooling, power transmission, differentials... You should know that marine diesel engine will burn much more fuel than if you use some other engine and improvise mounts and few other things. The resistance toward moving of a vehicle compared to a boat is a lot bigger and small marine wouldn't do the job. Bigger might but then you loose your starting idea for all this. Why not just find an old VW w/ diesel engine 1.6l and fit it in the truck. There is a movie in some European country as I can recall where dude is trying to make a PLANE powered with this engine. Of course... he failed... but then again... it's just a movie... :-)

by **Rong** » Sun May 18, 2014 3:51 am

Only if you have experience in building adapter plates and can do much of your work yourself.

by **Mathers** » Mon May 19, 2014 7:09 pm

Diesel Only if you have experience in building adapter plates and can do much of your work yourself. Sources: Mechanic billruff 71 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

by **Cater** » Thu May 22, 2014 12:02 pm

I don't think so. You can do anything but will you be happy with the results. I don't think the torque curve of a marine enging would match a pickup truck's requirement. Marine engines like to work at a constant speed while a pickup need a lot of low end torque and a wide torque curve. I don't think the car would be very drivable. Of course the devil is in the details. Rock 71 months ago Please sign in to give a compliment. Please verify your account to give a compliment. Please sign in to send a message. Please verify your account to send a message.

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