A year or so ago I posted about my upgrade project with my FMC motor coach. FMC's were built from 1973 to 1976 with 1,050 produced so mine is the fourth from the last one built. I have owned it since late 1999 and have put a little over 50,000 miles on it. It served me well in the original configuration, but sometimes one gets an urge to do something different. A percentage of units have been converted to older mechanically injected diesel engines. Having seen that and having been around diesel equipment, I decided to convert mine to diesel as well.
After much research, I decided that the best conversion would be to a modern computer controlled engine and transmission. Of course that complicated the project, but if I was going to do it I was going to do it all the way. Considering many issues and specifications, I settled on a GM Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel with 6 speed Allison as being the ideal unit to install.
Well, the project started in early 2011 and, with interruptions such as moving from CA to OR and then buying and rebuilding a house, the project is now all but complete. Only a few wires to connect and to finish bleeding and adjusting the brakes. It is now down off of the jack stands!
For anyone who has an interest in these kinds of things, here is a link to a photo album with explanatory captions of the project. There are about 370 photos so feel free to skip over many of them!
The reason I am posting now is that some people wanted to know how the project is turning out. The good news is that we started the engine a few days ago and anticipate starting road tests tomorrow or the next day.
Here is the link to
the photo album.Here a link to my Vimeo account where the videos of the engine running are located:
Start up video. Note that we incorporated the ability to start the engine from either up front or from the engine compartment.
Second longer video.At the FMC Ownerss Club website there is also a discussion thread in the Mechanics section about the Dieselfication of 1046 where the project was discussed over time.
Enjoy,
