IDI into a Clark 55 loader

IDI87

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So I recently acquired a Clark/Michigan 55 Loader. The old girl is currently powered by a heavily neglected 4-53 Detroit. I've got a low mileage 6.9 N/A that I'm thinking about swapping in place of the 4-53. Mainly because A. I've got the engine. B. I'm not sure what kind of shape the 4-54 is in internally, my best guess is that it hasn't had water in it in 5 years :/ C. Tight budget, I can rebuild the 4-53 for about a grand, but if the head is cracked or something else is wrong, price goes up.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Lord knows Typ4 has been more than patient with all my questions, lol I don't want to annoy him to much.

Pictures of my new toy below.
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subway

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cool project, i dont have a ton of direct information unfortunately myself. how does the current engine bolt to the transmission? i assume this will be the big item. is it an SAE 2 pattern? if so i know some IDI's were available with those or could be made so by changing the adapter on the back of the engine.

i suppose the other one is does the engine bay physically have the room? wiring should be simple but i assume you will be making custom motor mounts and maybe adapters for the cooling system.
 

Eli

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I'd play with the DD first, the 53 series is pretty resilient.

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nelstomlinson

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That sounds like a cool project, but the old Jimmy is a fully rebuildable industrial engine. Unless your goal is to have a cool project, I wouldn't do this. Buy a rebuild kit with new cylinders and pistons and so on for a few grand and you'll have an engine that fits perfectly and is good as new.
 

reset2

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Look up "Deboss Garage" on YouTube. Several vids on the double D engine.

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