M50A1 Ontos, good buy? Any way to convert to 4bt or 6bt cummins diesel?

[CBR Metalworks]

I have access to buy a M50a1 Ontos for cheap. It does not have an engine, but the drive unit and tracks are still in tact. He has a couple other hulls that have transmissions as well, I could get the useable parts off those to have as spares. There may even be more tracks sitting around the property somewhere, I'd love to own a tracked vehicle, and this is small enough that it can be hauled and not be overwidth (specs say 8.53' wide, so BARELY overwidth).

The bellhousing appears to be a SAE style, is it possible to put a 4bt or 6bt cummins in it? The cummins are nice because they are so plentiful and reliable.

I will post a couple pictures I took of it later.

 

[NDT]

Originally had a GMC 302 and later Chrysler 361. The BTs should fit. Tracks are getting really old on these and may not stand up to much abuse anymore.

 

[Jeepsinker]

They can't be any older than halftrack tracks though? Just be easy on them. I may be interested in one of the other hulls if the price is right.

 

[battlecr]

Most of the halftrack tracks on today were manufactured by Isreal and were produced in the 90's, although some folks are still running some from the 40's and 50's

Don G.

 

[CBR Metalworks]

Would anyone happen to know what is needed to swap in a Cummins? I have searched all over.

 

[73m819]

Would anyone happen to know what is needed to swap in a Cummins? I have searched all over.

Just time and money

 

[RDUKW]

The ontos has a very small compartment. The 4bt would probably fit but I doubt the 6bt would even be close. It would be easier to get the Chrysler and when your done it would be worth way more.

 

[B3.3T]

If you go with the original Mopar, it has to be the M-75, not just a civilian 361 big block. The M-75 has a longer crank with an extended flange for the transmission.

 

[NDT]

Have yours had the hull decapitated Wood Tiger style? If not there are plenty of museums that would love to have an Ontos.

 

[FrankUSMC]

I will not ask any questions about the Ontos till you buy it. A friend of mine down here had some, it might be one of his. They would go good with a Allis Chalmers tractor collection!
On tracks, remember that is why they were being pulled out of service during Viet Nam and made into bunkers, tracks were getting harder to find for them. The Ontos were made in the 1950s, and during Viet Nam parts were starting to run out for them.
On halftrack tracks, they were still being made up into the late 1960s here in the US. I have a set of 1968 dated ones on my M2. Remember also, a lot of NG units still had the M16 halftracks. Some were brought out during a very bad time for our nation during the race riots in Newark, NJ.
Getting off track sorry, no pun.
One of the few, Frank USMC RET

 

[CBR Metalworks]

Frank,

I am sure it is probably the same person you are thinking of. Better go buy stuff while you can! I have dibs on the Ontos and Ontos parts, the two cheap Heli's, and all the Humvee parts! Still plenty left to buy though! I am trying to help him out with hauling stuff to scrap, as he doesn't have a vehicle to pull anything to the scrapyard.

 

[CBR Metalworks]

I was about to ask if the top section was supposed to be removable, but I think I just thought of the answer-- hopefully YES, to access engine/transmission for removal/replacement.

 

[Jeepsinker]

I love the hood ornament.

 

[CBR Metalworks]

I have a line on a turret off a Cadillac V100, thinking about making a different top for the M50 that would make it look more like a tank and use the Cadillac turret. I know this might make the purists mad, but I don't have the $$$ to restore this thing back to original. I will say I don't plan to modify anything to where it could not be returned to original. I would just leave the original Ontos top off and build my own from scratch. I would probably build it out of AR500 plate so that it could at least be considered somewhat bulletproof/armored.

 

[Jeepsinker]

Sounds like a cool project

 

[CBR Metalworks]

Anyone know if this would be the correct engine for the Ontos? I also found an extra track, so should be good enough for extra track parts if I ever need them. Going down to pull useable parts off the scrap hulls and haul them to the scrapyard on Monday/Tuesday.

 

[SCSG-G4]

I've seen the scrap hull. There's probably enough there to build a static display by welding up the holes and putting some 1/4 inch plate over the openings. May not be enough track, but the rest would look pretty cool! Somebody buy it before it makes the journey to China!

 

[CBR Metalworks]

I'd love to sell it to someone and have it go somewhere other than scrap! I just posted one in the F/S section to see if anyone jumps on it.

 

[hndrsonj]

Shame to scrap them. They are incredibly rare with only 297 made.

 

[CBR Metalworks]

Shame to scrap them. They are incredibly rare with only 297 made.

By all means, come save them! Two of them have been burnt and are in really bad shape, would make good display's in a battlefield scene, but I can't justify paying to save them.