D17 repower?
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=211690
Printed Date: 18 Sep 2026 at 6:58am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: D17 repower?
Posted By: PaulB
Subject: D17 repower?
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2026 at 7:17pm
Has anyone repowered an early D17D with a 5.9 Cummins NA engine? I'd like to find out what issues came up, what someone might do different from what they did. I have someone wanting me to do this for them. I don't see any reason that it can't but if someone else has done it, I don't need to re-invent the wheel.
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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY
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Replies:
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2026 at 8:23pm
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The diesel clutch shaft will be shorter, so that is good. The biggest problem will be the power steering. The PS ram on the right side will (I imagine) not fit because of the width of the RF corner of the engine. I could be wrong, but that area will be a challenge.
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Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2026 at 10:36am
For what the use will be the P/S could be deleted. I have very limited experience with tractors larger than a D15. However if I'm correct the early D17s have weaker final drives and that swapping them for 180/185 would hold up better to the torque of the Cummins even as it will not have a turbo. Will this change the overall ratios?
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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY
|
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2026 at 10:54am
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Series 3 and 4 D-17 final drives are stronger with a ratio of 5.43 to 1 virtually the same as the old finals of 5.45 to 1. 175-180-185's are much wider gears and 5.85 to 1. These drives all use the combination band/disc brake. The S3 and S4 I think have a keyway for the older brake drums while the 175-180-185 do not. The transmission was changed in the S3 and S4 and has stronger teeth in 2nd (plow gear) and 3rd (disc gear) over the early D-17's.
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Posted By: HudCo
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2026 at 12:31pm
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what is the differance in length compared to a 301? not sure if just rebuiling the oil pan on the steering ram side would be enought if its shorter than a 301 i think it might be doable
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Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2026 at 6:51pm
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The G-226 and D-262 engine blocks stopped at the crankshaft centerline. The more modern 2000 series (265/301) engine blocks extend far below the crankshaft centerline for strength, but this unfortunately is where the D-17 engineers placed that hyd steer cylinder. The 5.9 Cummins block would be similar to the 2000 series Allis block.
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Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2026 at 7:38pm
What is the length of a 301?
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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY
|
Posted By: 8070nc
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2026 at 7:51pm
I know this is out there but thats how my brain works so bear with me. If the cummins had a power sterring pump pump like ive seen on some in trucks and if a 175 front bolster could be grafted into the D17 frame you could change the steering to hydrostatic by grafting a orbitrol on the steering shaft. With the later front axle that the steering cylinder would be on the axle and of course not on the bolster. It would be a heck of a project but with what you want to do you know that already. There are probaly a lot of reasons thatwould not work so feel free to list them
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1984 80780
1957 D14
DES 300 with 25000 engine
616 tractor
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Posted By: TramwayGuy
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2026 at 11:00pm
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Maybe better off with the 4-cylinder Cummins. 4B series; 239 cubic inches. Should help the length issue.
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Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2026 at 7:48am
In this incidence P/S is not needed nor is it wanted. I'm looking into what anyone else may have done in the clutch/flywheel area and if they have done this, would they do anything different. The 5.9 6B is going to be used not looking for any other possible engines.
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If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere.
Real pullers don't have speed limits.
If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY
|
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2026 at 9:22am
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The bellhousing can handle a 12 inch clutch/pressure plate/flywheel from a 301 tractor engine (180-185-190-200) pretty easily. A little grinding in a couple places but very doable. Stock D-17 clutch was 11 inches.
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