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1917 REO Speedwagon

Tizken

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Member Number
2307
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47
I just brought home a 1917 REO Speedwagon 1 ¼ ton truck that the engine has a bad cylinder (water in the crankcase). I'm debating swapping it to a small 50ish hp Diesel but know very little about them. I'm assuming I could get something older that would be all mechanical and easy to set up but not sure what to look for. I find a bunch of 25 hp kubotas out of mowing equipment and 4bt sized stuff. What's a common in-between one to look for?

I don't know if the 4bt would even fit and don't want that much torque through the old drive train.
 
Just get the 25hp engine. 25-30hp would have been the power that drivetrain would have originally had.
 
I'll get some pics in the morning. Sorry.
 
Here's a picture of my Reo if that helps. It's a 1953 so a little newer. And no picture, shame on you.:flipoff:
00i0i_7TzVwUdwUTb_600x4501.jpg
 
skidsteer and reefer trailer motors are commonly in the 50hp range
look for a kubota 2203 or something like that
 
Tdi engine can be had for cheapish with a manual box. Assuming you aren't trying to go quick should work divorced trans or are you adapting..... we need more specifics with pictures. I'll get measurements off my 4bt this weekend but I doubt it will fit, let alone hanging 600-800lbs in that engine bay.
 
A few pictures. Still need to bolt the roof and windshield back on. Lots of little things on it that are so different from what I consider normal.
 

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And some of the other REOs
 

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Pocahontas said:
Tdi engine can be had for cheapish with a manual box. Assuming you aren't trying to go quick should work divorced trans or are you adapting..... we need more specifics with pictures. I'll get measurements off my 4bt this weekend but I doubt it will fit, let alone hanging 600-800lbs in that engine bay.
Click to expand...
The engine is divorced already, the starter drives the shaft between the clutch and transmission. If you push in the clutch it just free wheels. I wouldn't want to go quick ever in this thing, it has band type drum brakes on the back only.
 
No engine advice but whats the deal with the speedster with the aluminum tank?
 
Ransom would appreciate your collection. I agree that a 4bt would be way too much engine for that without replacing pretty much the rest of the drivetrain. Cummins did make some smaller engines that would work but they are hard to find. I think a Kubota engine would fit your needs perfectly. Here's a link to a company that puts them in old Willys Jeeps.

Overland Diesel – Overland Diesel was originally operated as a conversion shop and supplier of top quality conversion components from 2006 to 2012. Carrying on with this good foundation, Overland Diesel changed gears to focus on building conversion

www.overlanddiesel.com www.overlanddiesel.com
 
ChiScouter said:
No engine advice but whats the deal with the speedster with the aluminum tank?
Click to expand...
It's a model A, with no shocks, no brakes really and worn out steering box. Scary as hell to drive, I love it. I bought an aluminum boat to make a boat tail body for it this winter. We have a model a coupe that is all original also that gets driven the most.
 
So I bought an engine from a 21 fire truck to swap in, running condition with tight bearings from what I can see. Plan on getting it running in time for the reo speed wagon concert this summer at pine knob.
 
roundhouse said:
How bad is the cylinder ?
No way to repair it ?

The way 18 wheeler engines are overhauled is they press in new cylinders.
Click to expand...
It's a single casting that is 2 cylinders and heads. One piece. Ill pull it apart this winter and see if it's fixable.
 
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