Free Ford Tempo Diesel and GMC Diesel Pick up - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

vacationtime247 · 01-17-2011, 09:48 PM

Aunt and Uncle stopped over tonight. While talking my uncle stated they were going to donate their 198? Ford Tempo with the Mazda Diesel engine in it. I said, wait, donate it? I'll take it if your just giving it away. Stated he quit driving it after it began leaking diesel. Guessing it's just an o-ring or seal. Said it still runs, but has some rust. Oh well, as long as it still runs! From what I understand, these cars get great gas mileage. Parts are plentiful and fairly easy to repair. It's a 5 speed too. Can't beat the price either! Just gave me the motivation to finish my diesel truck repairs!
Also, they said I can have their 198? GMC Pick up with the 6.2 diesel also! 2 free diesel pushers! Have a car dolly to pick them up. Want them at my house so bad I can taste it!
Really excited about the Tempo. Been looking for another gas sipper. If nothing else and it's completely rusted out, perhaps this is the diesel for my Pinto? As I'm sure you're all aware, FWD diesel cars are very hard to find and usually demand a fat stack to buy.
VT247

Frank Lee · 01-17-2011, 10:10 PM

You DOG!

I got so excited when I saw the headline I almost fell out of the chair. Then I saw it was in Indiana. Then I saw it was already given. I want one of them!

I'd say fix the rust if you can.

LUVMY02CREW · 01-17-2011, 10:30 PM

Congrats!! Two in one day is pretty cool. Good luck with them!

My family only got one given to us last weekend. It is a 1994 Buick Century

MetroMPG · 01-17-2011, 11:12 PM

I guessed Frank would be in on this thread, drooling.

You must have a bit of acreage to assemble (and disassemble...) such a fleet.

UFO · 01-17-2011, 11:12 PM

Diesel baby! Nice score.

Big Dave · 01-17-2011, 11:40 PM

I used to own a 83 K2500 with a 6.2 diesel.

Kept it for 305,000 miles. A huge improvement over the 350.

cfg83 · 01-18-2011, 12:44 AM

vacationtime247 -

Goooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaallllllll!

I didn't even know the Tempo diesel existed :

Mazda Diesel engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Quote:

2.0 L Mazda RF diesel I4
Naturally aspirated SOHC, 2 valves-per-cylinder, displacing 1998 cc with square internal dimensions of 86 mm (3.4 in) bore and 86 mm (3.4 in) stroke diesel RF engine was one of Mazda's more popular diesel engines. The R engine has virtually the same block as Mazda petrol FE engine with identical bell housing pattern and block dimensions.
Used also in the 1984–1986 Ford Tempo - Mercury Topaz, the 1984–1987 Ford Escort - Mercury Lynx and pre-2001 turbo diesel Suzuki Grand Vitara
Used in the Mazda Bongo and 1999 Mazda Demio

CarloSW2

vacationtime247 · 01-18-2011, 04:25 AM

Running out of room to store my fleet. Will make 10 vehicles. MUST sell some and tax time is here. Finish repairing the diesel F-350, oil cooler, valve cover and glow plugs. Hook up the car dolly and go get the Tempo this weekend. Park it in the garage and see what it needs. He stated that it leaks diesel by the throttle control or around that area. Parked it and never fixed it. We have the same problem. To many coals on the fire. Possibly pick up the truck this weekend too. It's a mid to early 80's 1500 / 2500 single cab. Said it leaks gas from the pickup or return line.
Hope that the shock towers and suspension is good on the Tempo.
VT247

ConnClark · 01-18-2011, 04:21 PM

Diesel oil will act as a rust inhibitor. If its leaking diesel you won't need to worry about the chassis rotting away

vacationtime247 · 01-23-2011, 08:07 PM

Well, I tried. Said I'd try and pick up the Tempo this weekend. Didn't know what I was getting into really. So gathered the family, loaded up the 'Burban with my air compressor and tow dolly. Got there and my uncles RV was sitting in front of it. He didn't think it start without a battery charge. Also, the Tempo was buried. Tires flat and stuck in the ground, frozen. Man, I want that Tempo here now so I can get it running to drive! It does have some rust issues on the bottom of the door. So, it's not perfect. But looking at the odometer, it says 14,??? (so I'm guessing it's 114,???). Should have another 100k miles left to it or more! Didn't get to see underneath it or inside. Doors froze shut, not touched in years! Probably been sitting for 5-10 years or more. Uncle stated he didn't close the hood completely so it was able to be lifted without getting inside and poping the pull latch. Nuts, leafs, pine needles. Oh, it needs cleaned bad. But there it was, right on top of the valve cover, DIESEL! Forgot to ask what year it was. But to describe it, it has the 'smoothed' grill and composite headlights. '86 - '88? Surface rust and gunk everywhere on it. Needs a good pressure wash and a quick paint job (rustoleum roller). It's a 4 door. Has covered steel wheels, pan style to cover it flat.
Ok, now is this stupid or brilliant? Few mods I've considered. Front grill block. Wheel covers with some thin scrap metal and self threading screws. Golf ball it. Own an oxygen / acetelyn torch. Heat the area up enough to form and bend easily. Take a ball ping hammer and hit the flat opposing side with a rubber mallet. Do this to the metal panels. It's going to look awful regardless. Remember, it's been sitting. Looks don't matter. Even if it comes out looking horrible, I'd like to see if there will be any gain. Don't want it to come out warped and deformed though, so I'll try and be careful. Paint it once it's finished. Clean up the underside with some thin sheet metal. Try and keep it light and cheap.
The truck is a real POS but the engine is a 6.2 and a TH400. Truck is rusted horribly. Bench seat is horrible. The floor and dash finish the trashed decor. But, the engine and tranny have some value. Perhaps pull the engine and tranny, scrap or part out the rest. This engine deserves a better truck. Under the hood is a complete other story as compared to the rest of the truck. Looks clean! Said it leaks diesel from the fuel in line bad so it's not getting any fuel. Said it ran before the leak got real bad. Either way, they're both free and worth getting.
VT247