STD Other Trucks, semis, vans, transporters and mogs. Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota....

Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota....

Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota....

 
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74Dusted
Naturally-aspirated

16
06-10-2015, 11:33 AM #18
(05-05-2015, 02:18 PM)Thomcat316 Adapter plate blues, maybe?

The folks that make the adapters for the OM617 do so for the Jeep 4.0L AX15 and the GM NV3500, though they don't specify which GM engine fitment they've developed for.  I don't have either of these transmissions, and would prefer to use the NV3500 (GM version is $700-1200 in junkyards) rather than the AX15 for smoothness and reputed longer service life.

Assuming I can't get an adapter plate and associated stuff ready-made for the OM617-to-Dodge-NV3500 mating, and that I am going from automatic flexplate to manual flywheel, are there things peculiar to the 617 that I need to know?

Is the 617 typically externally balanced at the flexplate/flywheel?
Can I get the Dodge flywheel balanced to match the balance of the MB flexplate?
Can I use a sheet of HDPE plastic to mock up the adapter plate and transfer the locations from there to the final material?
Is aluminum or steel the better material for the adapter?
Is there a minimum thickness for adapter plates?  In aluminum?  In steel?
I assume that I'll need to make a flywheel spacer and pilot bearing mount that match the thickness of the adapter plate - or do I?

If there's all this info in other parts of the forums - haven't really searched yet - please feel free to tell me to GO LOOK!  :-)

I think the primary reason there are no Dodge to OM617 adapters, is the fact that the Dodge Starter Location interferes with the bottom of the oil filter on the Merc engine.

I checked that out myself when I started my Diesel Dakota project, hoping that I could run an A833 4-Speed, NP435 4-Speed or NV4500 5-Speed.  It could probably be done with a Remote Filter setup.

Most 617's are Externally Balanced and the Flywheel is usually specific to the exact engine it came from. You could get the Dodge Flywheel balanced to match the Merc Flywheel, though I've never had any luck in finding a machine shop (even ones that build hi-po motors) that would match-balance a flywheel to another flywheel. None of them would even touch the job unless I brought them the whole rotating assembly to be balanced as well.


Here's a little FYI though.  The Mitsubishi KM145, KM145-D and V5MT1 5-Speed Transmissions used in the 4-Cylinder (and 4 Cylinder Turbo Diesel) Dodge D50's pretty much bolt right up to the OM617.  Almost every bolt hole is in the exact same spot too, save for 1 or 2 that don't exist on the 617.  The only problem is that the starter is in the exact same spot as the Oil Filter on the 617
This post was last modified: 06-10-2015, 11:33 AM by 74Dusted.

'92 Dakota 4x4 : OM617/Auto/205
'84 D50 4x4 : 273/727/100/203 (former turbo diesel truck)
'73 Duster : Roots 6-71 Blown 340/833
74Dusted
06-10-2015, 11:33 AM #18

(05-05-2015, 02:18 PM)Thomcat316 Adapter plate blues, maybe?

The folks that make the adapters for the OM617 do so for the Jeep 4.0L AX15 and the GM NV3500, though they don't specify which GM engine fitment they've developed for.  I don't have either of these transmissions, and would prefer to use the NV3500 (GM version is $700-1200 in junkyards) rather than the AX15 for smoothness and reputed longer service life.

Assuming I can't get an adapter plate and associated stuff ready-made for the OM617-to-Dodge-NV3500 mating, and that I am going from automatic flexplate to manual flywheel, are there things peculiar to the 617 that I need to know?

Is the 617 typically externally balanced at the flexplate/flywheel?
Can I get the Dodge flywheel balanced to match the balance of the MB flexplate?
Can I use a sheet of HDPE plastic to mock up the adapter plate and transfer the locations from there to the final material?
Is aluminum or steel the better material for the adapter?
Is there a minimum thickness for adapter plates?  In aluminum?  In steel?
I assume that I'll need to make a flywheel spacer and pilot bearing mount that match the thickness of the adapter plate - or do I?

If there's all this info in other parts of the forums - haven't really searched yet - please feel free to tell me to GO LOOK!  :-)

I think the primary reason there are no Dodge to OM617 adapters, is the fact that the Dodge Starter Location interferes with the bottom of the oil filter on the Merc engine.

I checked that out myself when I started my Diesel Dakota project, hoping that I could run an A833 4-Speed, NP435 4-Speed or NV4500 5-Speed.  It could probably be done with a Remote Filter setup.

Most 617's are Externally Balanced and the Flywheel is usually specific to the exact engine it came from. You could get the Dodge Flywheel balanced to match the Merc Flywheel, though I've never had any luck in finding a machine shop (even ones that build hi-po motors) that would match-balance a flywheel to another flywheel. None of them would even touch the job unless I brought them the whole rotating assembly to be balanced as well.


Here's a little FYI though.  The Mitsubishi KM145, KM145-D and V5MT1 5-Speed Transmissions used in the 4-Cylinder (and 4 Cylinder Turbo Diesel) Dodge D50's pretty much bolt right up to the OM617.  Almost every bolt hole is in the exact same spot too, save for 1 or 2 that don't exist on the 617.  The only problem is that the starter is in the exact same spot as the Oil Filter on the 617


'92 Dakota 4x4 : OM617/Auto/205
'84 D50 4x4 : 273/727/100/203 (former turbo diesel truck)
'73 Duster : Roots 6-71 Blown 340/833

 
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Messages In This Thread
Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Thomcat316 - 04-01-2015, 02:57 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Petar - 04-01-2015, 03:20 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Thomcat316 - 04-01-2015, 03:59 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by raysorenson - 04-02-2015, 11:58 AM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Thomcat316 - 04-02-2015, 01:37 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Petar - 04-02-2015, 03:59 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by CRD4x4 - 04-03-2015, 09:25 AM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Thomcat316 - 04-03-2015, 11:11 AM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Petar - 04-03-2015, 04:33 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Simpler=Better - 06-11-2015, 06:55 AM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Thomcat316 - 04-06-2015, 10:10 AM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Thomcat316 - 04-06-2015, 10:13 AM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by raysorenson - 04-07-2015, 01:00 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Thomcat316 - 04-08-2015, 12:37 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by raysorenson - 04-09-2015, 07:44 AM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by zeeman - 04-25-2015, 06:02 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Thomcat316 - 05-05-2015, 12:18 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Thomcat316 - 05-05-2015, 02:18 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by 74Dusted - 06-10-2015, 11:33 AM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by raysorenson - 06-10-2015, 12:33 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by Austincarnut - 06-11-2015, 07:53 PM
RE: Planning a swap into a 2nd Gen Dakota.... - by turbojeep - 06-17-2015, 05:18 PM
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