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Installing a detroit diesel 8v-71 on a sbc, any ideas?

44K views 14 replies 12 participants last post by  Vamped 
#1 ·
Hi my name is John im a new member to the site, looking for any and all advice on putting an 8v-71 on my 383 sbc, starting with 8:1 cr and will be running relatively low boost. This detroit diesel 8v-71 seems to be a little different than the average weiand 8-71 kit blower. Can I even make this work? Working with a budget in terms of a supercharger build so please keep this in mind, thanks for reading, and I hope you guys can help!
 
#2 ·
I'm by no means an expert on blowers but I am of the understanding that only the Detroit Diesel 8-71 blowers can be modified for what you are trying to do. The 8-71s were inline engines and there apparently is some difference in the blowers used for inlines vs the 'V' engines.
 
#10 ·
8v71 blowers



so lets fix a few points about 8v71 blowers, they are from a V8 engine not an inline like 6-71 4-71 or 3-71, I now supplie any and all parts to install and run v-sewries blowers on any engine you can buy a blower intake for, I make a addaptor for your intake. all 871 blowers except weiand (pronounced why-and) have detroit rotors and gears in them, just aftermarket case and end plates. bigest mistake you can make is to asume you need to replace the end plates on a v-series blower. the stock end plates are how the blower is mounted to intake, the side bolts are more for stabilizing than holding down. my soon to be released CD will cover start to finish converting the v-series blower, 2013 Rick Dean
 
#3 ·
I'm no expert in original Detroit Diesel super chargers, but I didn't think the charger we use in the performance industry that gets labeled as a "8-71" is anything from a factory engine, but instead 8V71 screws in a custom housing?

As well, from what I understand making a original blower from a 71 work requires you to purchase the end caps, belt drive, carb adapter, and other work at a minimum. Best thing I can say is hit the google. I have heard people saying they require a bunch of machine work, and others that say the parts I described are all that is needed. I haven't done one of these conversions myself, so I don't feel all that comfortable about saying what you need to do.

All the parts you would have to buy, and the effort alone strikes me as less then worth while for someone on a budget...

They are fun though! A 8-71 Weiand put my Dad's 350/TH400 ladder bar Monte Carlo into the 10.0X range spinning the tires. Pulling the engine apart at the end of every season showing a engine that looked like it was hardly ran...
 
#4 ·
From Dyers website : Dyers superchargers

9. There are lots of superchargers off of diesel engines on ebay and other auction sites. Are any of these good to buy?

There are many different styles of blowers that came off the diesel engines. The only cores of any use are the 71 series blowers. There are 4-71, 6-71, 6v-71, and 8v-71 Cores. These 4 blowers are different is size and shape. The blower that has the most parts available is the 6-71. This blower has 4 hold downs on EACH side of the case (8 total) on the very bottom. The v series blowers have angle hold downs on each side (4 total angles on the 6v71, 6 total angles on the 8v71). Unfortunately, no intakes or carb adapters are made for these v series blowers.
 
#5 ·
dyers used to sell the v6-71 they used 4 barrel intakes and made a plate to fit. you would be a lot better off finding the 6-71 gmc and having it converted over. it is possible , convert the v8-71 for gas. and have a good machinist build adapter to a 4 barrel intake, you would need to have your pulleys , crank hub and idler so he could fit it in the right location. Good luck and far as the top plate for carbs is simple
 
#6 ·
BTW, once you realize it isn't going to work on your engine, you will have an overwhelming desire to take it apart and see what makes it tick.
Fair warning-Keep your fingers out of the front gears while the rotors are moving. :thumbup: There is not enough clearance to let your finger pass easily between the two. :pain: Don't ask how I know this. :mwink:
 
#7 ·
I have a v6-71 conversion in my shop display window. A v8-71 shouldn't be any problem.

A SBC intake, carb flange was milled flat. Then a piece if 1/2" aluminum plate was modified to fit the blower base and the intake carb flange. A couple of stabelizer struts from the corners to the intake were welded in and the drives bolted on. Pulleys and front d-shaft were $$$. Worked good on a street motor.
 
#8 ·
Thanks

Yes what you did matches up pretty well with what we were thinking, was either going to grab a used weiand blower intake or a dual qaud and machine it to work for us, I have 2 full shops available for me to use in this venture, so I can modify and make most of the parts I need, tell me, did you use a single or dual quad intake for the base? And can you go into more detail as to how your setup functions properly, as in how you made it flow etc. I would really appreciate it. And as for seeing how it works, I already checked it out haha, friend of mine (older friend) rebuilt these in the service for years so I didn't have to learn anything the hard way. Thanks again too all who have responded.
 
#9 ·
Dyers used a 4 barrel for the v6-71 as bob said . I ran one with 11lbs boost worked good. the intakes you said will work . The only thing I would think when you tighten it down be careful not to distort since the bolts go down at an angle. as far as coverting to gas, not hard to do, follow a few simple rules , get the right bearings and you will be good to go. this isn't rocket science and teenagers were doing this in the 50's
 
#12 ·
Hey Rick Dean.....all good info but you're bringing up old posts on roots type blowers to adverise your "soon to be released CD". You can't advertise on the forum and the mods will KO yours posts, one already has been on a 5 yr. old discussion. I'm sure you have informative and usefull info for the members but you have to follow the rules.
 
#13 ·
8v71 on sbc

Gary,
if you can find a good holley (B&M) mega 250 blower intake, make an adapter plate for fitting the blower to it... you will get a clean looking set up that also allows better access to the distributor etc. (not much room with the 8v71 and a small block. If you ever go big block... use the 420 mega intake. Otherwise; you can just go with a regular 6-71 Weiand.

I'm working on mine now for my 72 Vega! I will post pics as soon as I can. :thumbup:
 
#15 ·
Really BadBehavior?? You are going to approach the post like that? Seriously?? So what if the post is a year old... new people to the forum may be looking for info about this stuff, not just who I posted it to. As far as scarce parts... do you just work on new Honda civics or 2012 chevy trucks? T-Buckets and 32 Ford Coupes are scarce too, but people still manage to build them. I personally manage to find the Mega 250 for my 8v71, a little work yes, but I'm not lazy! Just Say'n
 
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