Has anyone ever heard of a diesel powered 66 caveman camper?

[drumyn61]

I'm looking at a potential race car tow rig and this is what he said:

Apparently from what I recall the Grandfather worked at the GM factory and had it custom built or built it himself while at work. Its also got I think he said a "Browning" dual stage transmission,. I could have that wrong,. supposed to be rare and a really cool feature that's supposedly worth a couple grand all on its own. Several people have tried to buy the engine/trans out of it just for that.

Being a inline six diesel its got the torque and fuel economy for a good tow vehicle, I haven't taken it out on the highway to see what it drives like at full speed but the short drive around the block that I took it for it drove great.

[chevy_mike]

That has cool all over it. Never heard of that combo from the factory.

[chevy2tom]

The date of engine manufacturing is says 1973 & being a mid 60's truck it looks like marty went back to the future for the engine swap. It'll take a lot of gigawatts to move that camper lol

[TJ's Chevy]

Originally Posted by chevy2tom

The date of engine manufacturing is says 1973 & being a mid 60's truck it looks like marty went back to the future for the engine swap. It'll take a lot of gigawatts to move that camper lol

Triple turbos and some nitrous. haha

[drumyn61]

Yep, botch job!!

GREAT, it'll need a 396 with a Th-400 transplant immediately!

[oem4me]

I like it! Get any pics of the camper interior? Cool tow/camp rig for sure.

[Dans1960SWB]

Originally Posted by chevy2tom

The date of engine manufacturing is says 1973 & being a mid 60's truck it looks like marty went back to the future for the engine swap. It'll take a lot of gigawatts to move that camper lol

OK Thank You I just spit out my drink...LMAO

[60-66]

With a Date of 1973 right on the tag ? and a Chrysler/Nissan engine, No

[TJ's Chevy]

Not original for sure. It says on the tag the engine was produced from 73-???

[60-66]

Not so fast, As much as Im an all Chevy/GMC guy, Im sure that diesel will out pull a 396. I just don't know anything about that particular engine. Worth investigating I guess

[drumyn61]

Originally Posted by 60-66

Not so fast, As much as Im an all Chevy/GMC guy, Im sure that diesel will out pull a 396. I just don't know anything about that particular engine. Worth investigating I guess

I like unique cars but I worry that it's half assed and waiting for failure out on some empty highway.

[DPowers]

Wikipedia
Straight 6 SD33[edit]
The SD33 is a 3.2 L (3,245 cc or 198.0 cu in) straight-six diesel engine, most known for its use in the Nissan Patrol MQ (160 series) from 1980-1983[4] and the Nissan C80. The SD33 produces 82 PS (60 kW) at 3,800 rpm.

The Engine was also used in the UD 3400 series light truck, large forklifts, Marine applications, in International Scout offerings from 1976 to 1979, as well as the Jeep CJ-10/Cj-10A flightline tow vehicles from 1985 to 1986. The Scout-based Monteverdi Sahara was also offered with the SD33.[5]

There is also some 4x4 forums info on a Brown-Lipe transmission.

[DPowers]

If only the truck could talk.

[padresag]

it it was used in a scout, i doubt that it would have the snuff to pull the camper and a car and trailer so that one would really be happy. it will do the job though more than likely just not as fast as most want today. traffic will pile up behind you on the hills and such and you won't be the first one away from the stop lights
ron

[jtrichard]

If it has a two speed brownie (mid box NOT the main trans) it is most likely in backwards for over drive which would work great with the diesel

[61_FL_Apache]

Id like to see some engine pics of that camper. Cool idea.

[chevy2tom]

You're welcome Dan lol, how's the weather in your area? Looks like the east coast is getting crapped on

[chevy2tom]

You're welcome Dan lol

['63GENIII]

That Brownie - Lipe unit is pretty stout. Seen a few of them in 1 ton and up trucks. Pretty interesting history. I believe they were initially designed by Mr. Spicer, incorporated into Brownie - Lipe and eventually absorbed by Dana. My kid brother just picked one up a few months ago out of a 80 or so Burb for 60$. Just cuz he had never seen one. He's into weird kind of stuff too. Id be interested to see if that Chrysler / Nissan could be replaced with a little newer diesel 6? I can almost guarantee you that a 396 / 400 combo is NOT the way to go for what you're trying to do. I had that set up. Always felt like I was abusing the truck when I was towing anything big.
Nevertheless, its a very cool looking rig that would turn a bunch of heads at the races!

[1strong63]

in europe we are used to this engine in nissans and believe me it wont be happy with a trailer, with the camping shell you'll have a lot of drag to so it'll be worse. you have limited fuel upgrade to the pump and the head (valve seat crack) is weak depending on your turbo upgrade.

[oakstcustomz]

As stated before yes it was used in the scouts and tugboats. It's a great little engine but Pistons alone are about $700-1000! I would look for a newer diesel and sell that motor to a diehard scout fan!! They can move with a turn of the pump after adding Mercedes turbo and injectors... Believe it or not there is a small cult following for these.. Good luck! Hope you get that cool camper!!!!

[andyh1956]

We sold those engines new when I worked for an IH dealer in the 70s & I had one in a Traveler for a service truck w/ a t19. a three legged turtle would outrun it. That engine is NA & the turbo engines ran better. If that Brown-Lipe aux trans is like the others I've seen then it is un-syncro & you have to learn to double clutch to shift it. If the truck is an auto trans then it will be un-shiftable. Still a kick ass cool truck though!