VW pickup for conversion to electric or veggie oil?

[bennelson]

Found a Craiglisting that has possibilities for Ecomodding.
A 1980 VW pickup truck

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/car/609336355.html

Engine is blown. Might make a good shell to convert to electric?

According to Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Caddy

It lists 1.5L diesel engine in 1980. Too bad the engine is blown. I would love to convert a VW pickup to veggie-oil!!!!!


Now I am not much of a mechanic BUT is there some chance that this "blown" engine might be not too difficult to fix? Isn't there a frost plug or something that is supposed to pop out if the engine freezes?

[SVOboy]

Electric is 100% cooler.

[bennelson]

Veggie oil has RANGE.

Plus I like the idea of digging it up for free at restaurants...

If I had an electric AND a veggie oil, I would have the perfect combination of of vehicles Mwha HA AH HA hA HA HA HA (*manical laughter*)


I did find out that the owner of our local Culvers (Burger and Ice cream restaurant) has a veggie oil Dodge RAM truck. He uses the french fry grease in it. I have only gotten to speak with him real briefly so far. Would like to learn more from him!

Still, a little pickup like this would be great for an electric conversion too!

[SVOboy]

Well, couldn't it be a hybrid with a WVO generator?

[roflwaffle]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Well, couldn't it be a hybrid with a WVO generator?

Why?

[AndrewJ]

'comon. Electric truck with a WVO powered generator for extra range. That'd be the sweetness. Plus, new TierIII diesel generators aren't even that expensive (compared to vehicle engines)

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

'comon. Electric truck with a WVO powered generator for extra range. That'd be the sweetness.

Dudes! That would kick amps!

[roflwaffle]

Originally Posted by AndrewJ

'comon. Electric truck with a WVO powered generator for extra range. That'd be the sweetness. Plus, new TierIII diesel generators aren't even that expensive (compared to vehicle engines)

MK1s have so many gearing choices that going genset/electric wouldn't be worthwhile unless the driver was stuck going 10-25mph all the time. Even then, P&G ftw! I'm guessing that going electric with a WVO would only hurt range compared to the stock setup. That being said, I think something like an Insight fifth wheel for real slow stuff, if the owner/driver has to deal with it, would be worthwhile.

[Ryland]

when water freezes in an engine it often cracks the block, VW parts place seems to sell the best/cheapest diesel engines, or if you wanted a gas swap I have a gas rabbit GTI that the only thing wrong with it is the floor is rusted out... seat is falling thru the floor, a little work and you might be able to drie it home,altho it hasn't run in years...
not sure if you can still get the voltswagon kits, but that would be perfect.

[georges]

Available from 5.5 kw to 125 kw WVO or SVO generators. These generators are specially built to handle vegetable oil, they have two tanks, the piston rings have been replaced with ceramic and the hoses are synthetic to handle the acidity of the oil.
If interested contact me at : borsalino12000@yahoo.com