I have a 1980 Chevy 1 ton reg. cab srw that has a Perkins T6.3544 turbo diesel in it with a International 5 speed and a Gear Vendors over/underdrive.
It is the sweetest thing in the world. It was pretty much profesionaly done by the chevy dealer in 1980. My Grandpa bought it new with the conversion already done. My Grandpa passed away and he always told me the truck was mine so I now have it.

Anyway, what can I do to this thing to get some good power out of it?
I mean it has some good torque but I want more.... It will pull a 7K trailer up my STEEP driveway (about 6%) at idle in Low gear!!!

I saw somebody on here that has a twin turbo Perkins but cant remember who and was wondering what that entailed?

I pulled the turbo and it is VERY tight....I am also getting gauges shortly.

Also does anybody know where the best place to get parts like gaskets and things of the nature? preferably here on the West coast

I have been wanting to turn the pump up but I dont want to hurt anything because I dont know where to get parts.
I dont have too much money so I need to be careful.... but just wondering what the easiest way to get some more power is?

OH.... one last thing.....anybody have some numbers on this motor? I have been searching everywhere but it seems to be too old of a motor for anyone to worry about.

SORRY for the long post!!!

I would love all the help you can give

Thanks
~Jim

P.S. If anybody wants any pics of the rig let me know!

I guess I will post the pics anyhow

linky (http://community.webshots.com/album/562100084VGlfbm)

That is a album of pics above

Also, never mind that black pipe hanging there....it is my redneck stack!

nice truck!

I believe Perkins was bought by Catapillar so a CAT dealer SHOULD be able to get parts for it.

You can still get parts for the 354 at a Massey dealer with no trouble that is were I got my parts for my old 372.They are a lot cheeper than Cat.
Dale

That is a pretty cool rig. I don't think I'd mess with it a lot , but that's just my opinion. Is that a 354 perkins? If it is they are fairly common around here. I also think that the truck probably get's excellent fuel mileage. Never ceases to amaze me to some of the stuff people have done. I would have thought this combo would have been in high demand after several people seeing it. Looks like there is still plenty of room in the dog house also.

Those engines came in 750 and 850 massey combines. And in 1150 series tractors. They probabaly are in more applications but I have only worked on a few of these. I know a guy that has the same engine in a 1985 F-350. It runs pretty good he just keeps buying cheap clutches for it. I think you can have the injectors rebuilt with different tips, and turn up the pump and the engine will still live without major issues. Once you do that an intercooler will probabally be a good idea. His truck would get pretty hot while towing. But then again he is a true redneck and thinks 25k is too light, keep piling it on. His truck has 14 leaves in the back so the truck won't bottom out all the time, his theory. He hauls scrap all the time and is a farmer, but all in all the runs great and gets the same mileage as a cummins.

I have a 76 Chev with a t6.3544 in as well it's four wheel drive coolest I've ever seen I turned it up a lil got a lot more power and 900 degreaser on egts o and 20mpg all I have to say is WOW

what do you get for fuel milage

I've been gittin 19 to20 when i do 65 or over and 24 if under

I've been gittin 19 to20 when i do 65 or over and 24 if under

you should post some pics of your truck and tell us about your setup:popcorn

Here is a some info on my old Ford.
http://www.thedieselgarage.com/TOTM/jul08.htm
The 10 sp.will be comming out and a allison out of a 06 duramax with the double OD is going in when ever I get to pick it up.
Dale

Here is a some info on my old Ford.
http://www.thedieselgarage.com/TOTM/jul08.htm
The 10 sp.will be comming out and a allison out of a 06 duramax with the double OD is going in when ever I get to pick it up.
Dale

I have drooled over your truck the last 3 years and was actually just looking at the pics again today before I saw you had posted in this thread.:toytruck

I just sold 76 chev with the Perkins but Ill tell ya anything u need to know on them 417 592 9558 nights and weekends only.