Something wrong with my Dakota

The 273 '84 D50 (A Power Ram 50 Sport) started life as factory Turbo Diesel D50. Ironic, that my V8 Dakota is now a Turbo Diesel and my Turbo Diesel D50 is now a V8.... Actually, it's kind of sad. The Diesel D50 is an extremely rare option (we're talking SuperStock Hemi Dart/Cuda Rare). It was a 3 year option from 83-85, with roughly 3% of the D50's being ordered with it in 83-85 (only available with the Sport and Royale option packages).

Mine was extremely rare, as she was ordered with a Torqueflite 904 Automatic (Floorshift, with Console), an option that wasn't supposed to exist with the diesel. It was fully decked out, ordered with A/C, Cargo Light, Rear Sliding Window, AM/FM/Cassette Radio, Power Steering, The "Winters Package" (which included an Electric Rear Locker in the rear axle and a Limited Slip in the front axle), "Gauge Pack" (which added an Ammeter/Voltmeter and Oil Pressure Gauge to the Forward portion of the Center Console/AC Vent Combo)

I later upgraded/stroked the 4D55T 2.3L Turbo Diesel to 2.5L (4D56) using parts from overseas 4D56 engines (the 4D5x engines shared the same block, different crank/stroke though) and added an intercooler, turned the pump up a little.

After a very long life and many many miles (the odometer rolled over more times than anyone can remember, my dad bought the truck used at the end of 1984, it was his first New truck) the diesel finally died. Parts by then were impossible to find. I bought the last injection pump in the USA from a junkyard in Alaska, Rocker arms came from London England, Camshaft came from Germany (these parts were before it died). When it died, I couldn't find a sleeve to fix the damaged cylinder so I called it quits on the diesel engine.

I had a hopped 273 sitting under the work bench, that was supposed to be an upgrade for my '65 Formula S Cuda. The 273 had been bored .060 and had a Forged Crank, H Beam Rods, Forged Dome Pistons, Shaved 1.88 Valve J Heads, a .495/505 Solid Isky Cam, a 340 Intake and an 850 Thermoquad. I dropped it in the truck (after combining the guts and Tail assembly from my Diesel 904 with a Small Block 904, to create a 4WD 904).

100 miles later the 904 exploded, it couldn't handle the 273 and turning 40" Tires at the same time, so I replaced it with a 727. It was an interesting experience when the 904 exploded.... I went to pull out of an intersection, got a little heavy into the throttle, all 4 40" tires lit up and I heard a BOOOM and smoke started rolling from under the hood and up around the shifter boots on the floor. My cousin bailed out of the truck as I rolled to a stop, he's screaming "Your truck's on fire!" I quickly slid under the truck and started to put out the fire with a small extinguisher and a gallon jug of antifreeze, called my dad and he showed up in his Caravan and towed my truck off the road to safety.


These days she still has the same 273, the same 727, and the same KM100/NP203 Transfer Case Doubler (it's AWD and has a 4.75:1 Double Low Range), though it has changed carbs, tires and beds over the years. If I ever upgrade the engine I'm either going V10, Cummins or 440 6 Pack.