Engine swap candidates for a Fiat Allis FR15B

harmetp · Mar 24, 2020

I recently acquired a FA FR15 wheel loader with a bad Iveco engine (one cylinder sleeve cracked, head needs injector cups). The rebuild kit is expensive and it needs a lot of head work. I think I can install a common engine for less dollars. So far a mechanical 8.3 cummins or DT466 International would fit and are about the right displacement.

I'm wanting to avoid plumbing an air to air intercooler, but it looks like there is plenty of room to replumb intake, exhaust, coolant and oil coolers. I'm making the assumption that the transmission will use an SAE type bell housing and some sort of flex plate drive.

So, are there piles of Iveco 8365.25 engines laying around in good shape, ready to install? Does the FR15b transmission have a SAE, more universal bellhousing/flex plate set up (ie. like an allison)? Any thoughts on my swap engine choices?

Thanks

dozr · Mar 25, 2020

i have always said with a welder and a good cutting tool anything can be done,some time just cost more.

Vetech63 · Mar 25, 2020

You would have a lot less headache and expense if you just had your cylinder head/sleeve repaired and replaced. Why go through all that fabrication and unexpected crap?

harmetp · Mar 25, 2020

Thanks for the replies. Yes anything can be created and often it's fun especially if some of the bigger issues like connection to the torque converter is easy. The reason I'm looking for something different is there are about no iveco engines in the US. I believe the only reason I can get a kit is that CNH uses iveco motors for tractors, combines, etc so there is a parts connection. I probably can only get new parts. I guess I see a bigger headache with the iveco than the swap.

The other consideration is I bought this for $1000 and in running condition it's worth maybe $11K. Any rebuilt engine is going to be well over that and probably would have to come from europe. It's a nice enough machine to fix.

Birken Vogt · Mar 25, 2020

I would vote for an 8.3, and against a 466, because 8.3s are everywhere, and Cummins is thriving, and International has made such a problem for themselves, just based on the health of the respective companies.

In the generator world I see a lot of Ivecos in passing, so I think they are not as uncommon as you think. I believe they are handled by Fiat Power Train, FPT for short, so maybe if you look for FPT dealers in your area, you can find somebody who is willing to help, and not have to go to the extreme of a retrofit.

Mother Deuce · Mar 25, 2020

Vetech63 said:
You would have a lot less headache and expense if you just had your cylinder head/sleeve repaired and replaced. Why go through all that fabrication and unexpected crap?

I hate it when all the holes disappear.

Vetech63 · Mar 26, 2020

harmetp said:
Yes anything can be created and often it's fun

True......but I have yet to see the fun in it.

harmetp said:
especially if some of the bigger issues like connection to the torque converter is easy

Again......its always exciting in the beginning, and usually ends up with "what the hell was I thinking?".........along with your expected budget blown all to hell..........sorta like when a guy gets married.

terex herder · Mar 26, 2020

I don't mean to belittle your fabrication skills, but your 11K value isn't for a machine with a fabricobble engine. There is a reason you bought it for scrap price, and the best chance of making money with the machine is to part it out.

harmetp · Mar 26, 2020

I'm not going to sell it ever unless my wife makes me. She occassionally has an aversion to wheel loaders. I just don't want a pile of money in the loader and it would nice to have an engine that is more common for wear stuff (fuel pump, injectors, filters, etc). IDK, I may rebuild the iveco once I get it out.

I guess I'm used to farming where we repowered all sorts of 4wd tractors. Often it was to replace an IH or JD poorly executed big V8. I guess that is not as common in heavy equipment?

terex herder · Mar 26, 2020

Farmer? Then we have to take a page out of Jon Kinzenbaw's playbook. Put a two-stroke Detroit in it. I don't believe that man ever saw a piece of equipment but what he thought it would be better with a Detroit. And he did a super good job of it.
But I sure wouldn't want to listen to a 318 Detroit in an open station tractor all day long at full rack. At least with construction equipment you usually get off the throttle every cycle.

I think construction equipment didn't need repowers like farm tractors because it was built so much better from the factory.

Welder Dave · Mar 26, 2020

I knew a guy who went through 6 P&H excavators with 6V-53's running full tilt 8-12 hours a day. He didn't hear very well.

Tinkerer · Mar 26, 2020

I pulled a chisel plow over a lot of acres back in 1970's with a John Deere 4020 with an 8-71 Detroit conversion. It was set up for tractor pulling and had straight pipes. OMG !!
I don't hear very well for some reason !

grf_1000 · Sep 10, 2020

i know this is an older thread but i have a FR15B and had a turbo let loose, taking out the motor. I ended up doing a 24valve cummins swap. A lot of fab work for inter cooler, oil pan ect. It bolted to the ZF trans. with a new bushing. Had to use an inverter. Engine 12volts and everything else 24 volts. If i was to to it again, i'd stick with the Iveco.

harmetp · Sep 10, 2020

Thanks, I'm bidding on a good short block and hope to reman the head. I didn't expect to find one.

Vetech63 · Sep 10, 2020

harmetp said:
Thanks, I'm bidding on a good short block and hope to reman the head. I didn't expect to find one.

You and your marriage will be thankful.

Chris Hyde · Sep 13, 2020

harmetp said:
Thanks, I'm bidding on a good short block and hope to reman the head. I didn't expect to find one.

I have a FR 15 with a bad transmission. Motor is good. Where are you located?

Scrapman · Jul 10, 2022

Chris Hyde said:
I have a FR 15 with a bad transmission. Motor is good. Where are you located?

I know this is a long shot . But do you still have the FR 15 engine ?

1693TA · Jul 10, 2022

I still have three two stroke Detroit Diesels and they have gotten much quieter as I've aged.....

Engine swap candidates for a Fiat Allis FR15B

harmetp

Active Member

dozr

Senior Member

Vetech63

Senior Member

harmetp

Active Member

Birken Vogt

Charter Member

Mother Deuce

Senior Member

Vetech63

Senior Member

terex herder

Senior Member

harmetp

Active Member

terex herder

Senior Member

Welder Dave

Senior Member

Tinkerer

Senior Member

grf_1000

Member

harmetp

Active Member

Vetech63

Senior Member

Chris Hyde

Member

Scrapman

Member

1693TA

Senior Member