So many people talking diesels lately. I'll admit, it's been on my mind for some time now too. 4BTs, Perkins, etc. Recently, I've heard a little bit about another common diesel conversion; the OM617 Mercedes. It's a 3.0L 5 cylinder motor, "boasts" double digit HP and barely triple digit torque. They can be had relatively cheap (one sitting in the salvage yard right now) and run for 500k + with proper maintenance. A big detractor is the cost of mating it to a transmission. There is a company out there that produces adapter plates and custom flex plates/flywheels, but they ain't cheap. Not necessarily 4BT pricey, but nothing to laugh at either.

Now, who else has heard of or considered this motor? What did you like about the idea? What did you not like about the idea?

I've read about it, but I wouldn't do it in a bronco, maybe a samurai or sidekick, just not enough power

I've read that the Sammy's are good candidate's for Volkswagon TDI transplants.

Hmm. I suppose there is always that spare 7.3.....

How are the Perkins motors rated for power- asked the guy apparently too lazy to simply google them.

Don't get me wrong, I REALLY love the idea of the 4BT. Its just I've heard they are so heavy they make a Bronco ride like a dump truck- said the guy whose daily driver drives like a dump truck.

There was a 4 cylinder Perkins in a bread truck for sale a while back, didn't get a chance to drive it but the vehicle had been converted to a RV (hippie style I'm sure). The ad commented that it drove great & that he ONLY had to wear hearing protection on the hi-way! Lol

For an EB, I think you need at least 150HP and 200ft/lbs. You can get those numbers from some of the 1.9L TDI's, but your reliability diminishes. It'd be interesting to collect of list of diesel conversions for EB's. I came across an article in a 4x4 mag about the companies who do this for a living. There were more than I thought, and mostly tailored towards Jeeps, but I can dig that up again and see if I can find it online.

Technically, there are hundreds of options available, but it's hard to find the cost effective ones.