Howdy alll,

Im looking for someplace I can get a couple of 4bt's to repower a houseboat. Id like to get some that are atleast 100HP and would also like to know what all is involved in boosting the HP on these things.

Thanks,

 

Ebay usually has a couple. They take the same parts as ours(minus 2 cylinders). No tsure on the power rating though.

 

May not be easy to find, but an out of service Frito-Lay truck may be a good bet. Ony one engine per unit, unless otherwise noted.

 

Same exact parts as our Dodges have except 2 cylinders got the chop. Same bore, stroke, etc. IT is 2/3rds the engine and has 2/3rds the power of the 6 cyl.

So that is 460ft of torque for 6 cyl equals 308 ft/lb torque in a 4bt. 235 HP in a 6 cyl equals 158 HP.

They can take the same upgrades as the 6 cyl can, only thing there is you will only need 4 injectors instead of 6.

Frito lay trucks are a great source for them.

 

Here are a bunch of 4 bangers, cant vouch for the company as I have never used them but they do have a bunch of em

http://www.rebuiltdieselengines.com/cummins4b.html

 

the ISB 3.9 comes in 145 or 170 hp, 420 torque, 2600 rpm, off idle torque 275, 17.2 comp ratio, and 773 pounds.

 

Thanks guys. does anyone know where I can find some frito lay trucks around alabama? I have looked at junk yards around montgomery but have had no luck, not even for my truck.

I never realized how hard some things were to find in a junk yard.

 

Better find a bunch of them cause "Nobody can have just one!"

 

you might want to check the weight on the cummins 4 cyl as compared to the existing engine. nothing worse than getting your conversion complete and on launch day seeing your house boat sink.... Or not drive properly because of the weight distribution.

 

I just gave him the weight of the ISB, 773 pounds, the BT would be just about the same.

 

Try Kimberling in Birmingham, he is about the biggest. He has only commercial trucks, but has engines, some new. He had a bunch of common rail engines a year ago.

See the way it works here with Dodge is that Palmer brothers tries to keep a manopoly on Dodge. He outbids at all auctions. He is high in price. Nevertheless, if you need a part, generally you can get it from Palmer in Bhm, just cost you.

There is a dealer in Cullman that has a lot of Dodge stuff, but I would not recommend going to him, he is the one that ground the #53 off a commercial block and told me it definately was not one, cracked in 6000 miles. If you buy from him it is as is and only your information is reliable.

From what I understand there are good yards in Atlanta area that have plenty of Dodge stuff.

 

Thanks Haulin. Ill check them out when I can. A couple of 4cyl ISB's dont weigh anymore than 2 350 chebies. So I am fine on that. My biggest problem was going to be the length.

Its my fathers houseboat and we were wanting to put some 6cyl cumins but they are to long. Also being a 42 foot houseboat the weight is not an issue.


Phil

 

You may have to put different props on the boat to take advantage of the lower RPM's of the 4BT's.

 

Already figured that out. We can call the company that makes the house boat and tell them what we are going to put in it and a guestimation of the horsepower and torque, Then they can tell us what props to use.


Phil

 

??? what?
they are MUCH heavier than a 350. 2 4bt's will weigh around 1500+ lbs. and 2 350's weigh around 1100. im not sure 400lbs is a big deal in a boat though.

a 4bt is 26"l x 32"h x 27"w
a 350 is 27"~29"l x 27"h x 19"w.......