'53 4dr Chevy Sedan

[Frank Lee]

I would expect 20-25 mpg practically no matter what gears end up in it; worse than that and it should be a performance build, better than that I don't think will happen with this combo. Could push into the 30s with modern engine/trans, perhaps 40s with a modern diesel.

[VBOD]

Yup, the pre-63 GM car sixes are pre-standardization however, I did pick up a T5 trans and a couple Nova rears for an eventual upgrade to lower gears with 5-speed. The pre-55 cars had an odd trans bolt pattern and an enclosed drive-train. Also, these "stovebolts" have a very unusual combustion chamber. It's an old 1930's Olds design almost like the in-block valve design of the "Flatties"...good turbulence, poor flow & 6-8:1 CR's.

I read those old benz engines just keep going, it's the cars other electronics that go bad.

From what I've read as member at the old car/truck forums I can expect mpgs in the high teens. There are a few who've put small TBI systems on these but I've no idea of mpg improvement.

I concur with your idea on improving fuel economy for trucks: keep parked until loaded heavy.

[Sven7]

How could we hit five pages without a photo of this thing?

[VBOD]

Sure. As soon as I figure out how; maybe tonight.

[darcane]

You could try a different route...

My daughter likes '49-'51 Fords which are pretty close in size to your Chevy. In a couple years, I'll start a father/daughter project car, and it will likely be one of these Fords. I had what I thought was a unique way to easily modernize one... but upon some research, it turns out it's pretty common: Swap the entire frame for a S10 frame.

Most seem to keep the frame and suspension but then put in some other engine. I was thinking of keeping the EFI 4 banger and manual tranny. Old car with modern, easy to replace parts underneath that should be reliable to drive around. I'd bet 30+mpg would be easily achievable.

Here's a video of one guy doing this on a budget. He uses a carbureted 4.3V6 and claims 22mpg:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kvMxmBc9uQ

(I wouldn't recommend replicating the frame notch though)

[JRMichler]

Originally Posted by VBOD

From what I've read as member at the old car/truck forums I can expect mpgs in the high teens. There are a few who've put small TBI systems on these but I've no idea of mpg improvement.

I once had a 1955 Ford 1/2 ton with 223 cubic inch six cylinder and three on the tree. It regularly got 20 MPG highway at 50 MPH. I seem to remember getting 22 MPG once. I could not drive faster because the kingpins were worn so bad that it would jump clear across the centerline into the opposite lane.

A few aero improvements and who knows....

[Frank Lee]

I put 20-25 because I can get 20-22 with a '59 Chevy with 283 V8 and Powerglide 2-speed slushbox. I think if you drive right you shouldn't settle for less than 20.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by VBOD

Just found a $400 4.3L Olds V6 diesel in an '83 celeb., 90K on it. Anyone here have hands-on experience with these? I've read they're basically a 5.7L olds diesel with 2 cyl's cut off. Could be a cheap way for me to get into a diesel and not get too beat up if'n I don't like it.

Check diesel place forums or the olds diesel one I can't remember. The best diesel chevy ever made reliability wise was either
1. 4.3 v6 diesel or
2. 4.2 inline 6 diesel.

If you add a fuel water separator and a better filter they can run 500k or so. I would recommend detuning the motor by decreasing injection pressure but add more timing, this gives you smoke free lugging power at the expense of some high end.

If I had the skill and access to the parts my dream build would be a 4.3 transverse chevy diesel with an F40 6 speed manual in one of the older moderately sized cars.

Sadly both 4.3 diesels are also the most rare they made excluding the 2 or 3 2.8 4 banger olds diesels that undoubtably never made it to a showroom.

A chevy RWD in a chevy is always the easiest but might I recommend the FWD you found as those are VERY rare and unlike others have suggested gets near 40mpg with a 3sp auto and no overdrive, if you go to RWD that number drops into mid 30's but you can gain it back with a more modern XMSN, especially a MT. With a little fabrication most every FWD chevy transaxle can be made to fit most every FWD chevy engine.

They are perfectly fine for motoring around, they just aren't fast, good for a flat long highway. Just keep them cool, filtered and clean and they run well.

If you don't want the diesel celebrity, if it runs well and is in moderate condition let me know where it is, I think I might want it.

From what I was Told BOP is no issue for someone with skills as there are adapters for everything under the sun.

FWD is the way to go if you can pull it off.

Oddly a 6.2 gets very good mileage (better than a much smaller gasser) if you tune it right and gear it very high with a proper 5sp MT. So that would be the other cheap and easy FE motor if you must have RWD.

The 2.2 XFE motors found in cobalts and G5's would also make a good complete drop in replacement if you have the skill to drop the body onto the whole shebang. (they are rather common in junkyards and get good fe for a gasser)

[VBOD]

rmay,
It's an old add, it's since expired but I think I was the only person who called, he didn't tell me anything other than what was in the add; and it's in Yakima WA.

chevy v6 diesel motor - $400 (yakima)
Date: 2011-07-29, 7:55AM PDT
Reply to: sale-xcdpu-2468950613@craigslist.org
i have a v6 diesel motor in an 83 chev celebrity less than 90000 miles on it had it put in and never drove it. $400 more info call 509 307 8197

[VBOD]

It figures, I'm a few hundred into going back to the stovebolt path and a 6.2L shows up on CL. Complete, filter to pan and rad. to TH350 tailshaft $600 obo. ;thinking I'll be calling to talk to him just in case my Green Machine 350 goes TU.