What engine to put on a 78 c10

[K/H]

Hi everyone in the forum world ... Im new to this site and anything that has to with these types of trucks. So bare with me for a moment. I just purchased a 78 scottsdale single cab longbed for 500 bucks i thought it was a bargan just for the body. It just has minor surface rust and the hood is bad like they all do. but there was a cruved ball it has the 350 olds diesel. It dont run. Now i want to place another diesel motor in it but which one, or anything that will get the truck running asap. I have no idea what model transmission it has but its a auto thats all i know. what will be my best bet if i want to tackle this project at home with limited resources and space and want to have a reliable somewhat fuel efficient truck. Ive read othere threads and they talk about a 350 small block but is that enough power to move the big heavy truck. I know its not a sports car i just dont want to be limping around lol ....sorry for long post

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

That's a C10, right? A 350 is plenty for that truck and probably your best option. If you wanted to keep it diesel, the most direct swap would be a 6.2, which would be offered in squares a few years later, but it would only be almost as powerful as the 350 with a some upgrades. Well... What are your smog regulations for a that truck? The emissions stuff really brought the 350 down into the dark ages so I don't even know how much better, if any, it would be with factory emissions than a 6.2 with a turbo and some other stuff. This is assuming that you'd be be pretty exempt from emissions regulations with a diesel under the hood in a truck this old. I'd also say if you found a 400 Small Block Chevy for a decent price, that'd be a good way to go, too. They're just rarer since they only put them in our trucks from '76-'80.

 

[BiggG74]

Isn't it exempt in CA? Due to the year of truck? I would do a 350 in it as well. Just throwing darts.


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[74 Shortbed]

Nope, 75 and older is exempt unless you're in a smog free area.

 

[K/H]

No smog is needed if it a 97 and under if its a diesel. I did the dmv stuff the other day and they didnt ask for a smog certificate. Ok thanks for the help.

 

[K/H]

Oh and ya its a c10 its 2wd

 

[74 Shortbed]

Yeah, as long as you stick with diesel.

 

[K/H]

So if i switch over to gas i will need to smog it? How will they find out. Do i need to report it.

 

[dougbert]

So if i switch over to gas i will need to smog it? How will they find out. Do i need to report it.

California? Er, yeah

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I don't know how much room you'd have to work with an SBC since you're not exempt. I don't know diddly about CA emissions, but I'll try to remember that. Either way, emissions stuff really took/takes away from vehicles, most especially the primitive stuff that came along in the seventies after the oil embargoes. I think if you found the right 6.2, you could build it into a respectable motor, and it'd be a perfect fit. Plus, they're extremely reliable and are impressively fuel efficient for an old diesel V8. I like this article because it gives the 6.2 the credit it deserves, and it takes place on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, a tertiary home of mine. Read it and see if that's something you'd be interested in. It's your truck, but this is what I'd do if I were you. Even if you couldn't build it up some, you could still put it in there and work on it as you get time.
http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/engine/0554dp-62l-buildup/

 

[yevgenievich]

From my understanding, if it has a diesel designation on the vin number, it does not matter what is under the hood. Worth checking before making choices on what to put in. But 6.2 would be the most straight forward diesel motor swap.

 

[Rusty Nail]

400.