Tue Mar 21, 2017 7:35 pm by nikkinutshop
If this truck has the original engine, you are stuck with what it does. The OEM 214 will not stay together with elevated engine speed. If you add a turbo or supercharger to the engine to make it breath better there will be an elevated heat problem to deal with that these old iron lumps were not designed to handle. Higher rpm equals speed. More power is better in the hills.
In an effort to make my Ford C69 Flathead V8 more powerful, I added an Eaton M90 Supercharger and TEC3r engine management and in as fast as I can say this, I was out of pocket $15,000. All of this will give the Flattie more torque and the electronics will limit the engine speed to a maximum of 4500 rpm. I spent more money on a Gear Vendors Overdrive to have a ,76 ratio improvement on the 4:10 Ford 8.8 differential. The final drive is now 3:116, in overdrive.
If you want to go faster, sooner an engine transplant may be the only reliable option for this truck. While I would not consider an Small Block Chevy V8, I have to admit that this SBC is one of the best for fit, cost and reliability. Having said this, If you decide to go this route, be prepared to spend a bucket of cash on the modifications that follow.
One of the senior members on this forum installed an Oldsmobile Quad4 in his "K". HIs Old Binder goes like crazy. The Quad4 fits, is reliable, powerful and economical and should kick the butt of most SBC.
A Mercedes five cylinder 300td will fit and have more power than you have now. My friend installed a Mercedes 300td automatic in his IH and he is very happy with it.
There are kits to turn a VW TDI engine into a North-South configuration and a good TDI will beat an old GD-2114.
It might be difficult to find a good Cummins 4bta, now. This engine will fit and has the power to push you "K" along at better than highway speed.
I bought a good running Cummins 4bta and had the fuel injection rebuilt and the governed rpm elevated to 3200 rpm from 2400 rpm. The injection repair and modification added to the many other seals gaskets and changes has pushed the 4bta to nearly $10,000. This engine is going into a 1952 L110.
If you absolutely cannot enjoy this truck as an original be prepared to spend lots of money and maybe only a little less if you have the tools and skills to do the work yourself.
Do not forget that you will have to consider getting stopped if and when the truck goes faster. A disc brake conversion could cost more than $650.
Don't be one of those persons who manage to buy an old Binder for little more than scrap or inherit one then think the parts and or modifications will also be junk priced. It is a trick and a trap.
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- Can you say $15,000
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- and four wheel drive
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- Cummins 4bta
I would rather have tools I do not need than to need tools I do not have