1955 Buick Special sedan - diesel conversion

[wndsofchng]

Thanks for all the compliments!!! I bought the Buick out of a barn. I am the 3rd owner. Previous owner had dreams of restoration but only got the brakes done. The original 264 had 3 stuck valves, stuck bad! and 2 speed slushbox. The first owner had passed away and the car was sold out of the estate. The mileage 57k is believed to be correct (no roll over) by records. The car was well kept. When I pulled the engine to have the heads machined and re-ring it.... The cost for parts was phenomenal. $1200+ for basic rebuild parts not including machining. Another 1k to rebuild the trans. I let it sit for a while then thought..... I have several engines laying around, let me update.... test fit several things from ford to chevy and after much hemming and hauling (many friends say I'm ruining american steel by going so non-traditional) I decided the diesel not only fit my crazy style (redneck recycler?? HA HA HA) but would be the best fit for my environmental passion as well. The car's curb weight original is about 4400 lbs. The cast engine and trans combo weigh about the same as the diesel and 700R4. The new rear axle weighs about 1/3 of the original it is a 3.08 gear. The 6.2 in my old 3/4 suburban with a turbo 400 does 25-27 hwy mpg... I'm hoping to get more in the Buick with the lower stance, smaller rear, and better transmission. I certainly like elhigh's point of using material that already exists and repurposing. Cripple rooster, as for the f100, depends if a scrap a ram truck or a fedex truck first! I'd prefer the 4 for weight reasons but I'm not picky!

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by wndsofchng

and 2 speed slushbox!

If its an original powerglide transmission it might be worth some $.

[bikeprof]

In the DIESEL mode, this 'ol 1955 with better aero dynamics and some MODS(flat floor,tire air deflectors, etc...), should get 'bout 30MPG, I thinks...

That's including all the stuff and adjustments you mentioned and nice EPA narrow tires, remember...

[2007 ion2]

this is an interesting project. wndsofchng, bikeprof has a point, there are things you can do (such as some bolt or weld on underbelly panels to make it aerodynamically slick) that while not visually obvious, will make more of a difference in road and wind noise and gas mileage than you might think.

[wndsofchng]

Good point 2007 ion

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by wndsofchng

Cripple rooster, as for the f100, depends if a scrap a ram truck or a fedex truck first! I'd prefer the 4 for weight reasons but I'm not picky!

I've already seen some F100's repowered even with 4-stroke 3-cyl Diesels. Weight-savings at its finest

[wndsofchng]

Got the wheel adapters for the rear and working on a triangulated 4 link rear suspension for the ol' gal. Still haven't fired her up. Will get some current photos up soon!

[wndsofchng]

Got the weights back.... shaved about 200lbs on the rear end swap and another 50-60 on the transmission. With the diesel looks like I added 100 lbs Whooops! I guess I need to look into those aerodynamic plates.

[Big Dave]

A 6.2 diesel weighs about the same as big-block 454: About 700 lb.

[MetroMPG]

Any news on this project?