1955 Buick Special sedan - diesel conversion - Page 6 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

kimer6 · 06-05-2013, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electroddy

I second what Oil Pan 4 said about the block. Remove the pan and look closely at the webs around the outer bolt holes. Also look closely around the cylinder bottoms. I have one of these blocks that has a small crack at the cylinder bottom due to core shift when the casting was made. This is/was a known problem with these motors. The best blocks are the ones from 82 83 as they have a high Nickle content.

So you put it all together, run it to get the bugs out, don't worry about the block so much especially if it was already running. In the mean time, keep watching Craigslist for a 6.5 engine with the 509 high nickel casting number on it....

I paid $400 for the '93 mechanical injected 6.5 turbo engine with 509 block that I put in my boat. It is still running fine. The same guy gave me a good diesel turbo 400 trans and a 6.2 engine missing the water pump in the price. It pays to watch Craigslist daily. I only learned it was a 509 casting after buying it.

The 6.2 and 6.5 are bad mouthed by many. That makes them cheaper and more available to people like you. I run 2 trucks with 6.2, a 6.5 non turbo, and the 6.5 turbo in the boat. The ONLY trouble I had was with the rubber lnjector leakoff lines that got stiff and leaked fuel onto the exhaust manifold on 2 engines, one happened while towing, much smoke but no fire. $20 for 6 feet of new hose...Ebay. Replace them while the engine is out.

Also, get a big Raco spin on fuel filter with the clear sediment bowl on the bottom to mount on the firewall to end all water and contaminant worries. Napa sells the 2 micron filters for it. Ebay or West Marine for the whole unit. Mine has an electric fuel heater element inside and a water drain thumbscrew. $65 new off Ebay, cheap insurance. Mr. Gasket sells an electric DIESEL fuel pump $30 that ends all filter priming troubles, endless cranking. Put it before your engine mechanical pump. It does not need to be running at all times.

ALSO.... MAKE SURE ALL FUEL HOSES are replaced with Gates Barricade diesel approved hose or equivalent. Diesel fuel will turn neoprene fuel hose into bubble gum in 6 months. I found out the hard way on the boat, dead in the middle of the shipping channel......

I hope this helps! I want to follow your project. Kimmer...(with the diesel Geo Metro and the diesel Popeye boat.)

oil pan 4 · 06-06-2013, 11:35 AM

Any time I replace a fuel line on my diesel I just use Goodyear or weatherhead fuel injection line. I started doing this in 2006 and have never had one of the lines I replaced leak.

phantom 309 · 06-09-2013, 01:29 PM

great thread,.
I have a 94 K2500 ext cab,. 6.5 w 3:42's
and 285-75's,. it gives an honest 22 mpg on level terrain
Truck weighs 6600 empty.

wndsofchng · 12-09-2014, 06:22 PM

Unfortunately I sold this project before it was complete. I am now working on putting a mercedes 5 cylinder diesel in a 1950 chevy styleline... I will start a new thread!

MetroMPG · 12-09-2014, 07:21 PM

Too bad!

When you do start the new thread, please come back here and post a link.

Dave's Civic Duty · 12-09-2014, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wndsofchng

Unfortunately I sold this project before it was complete. I am now working on putting a mercedes 5 cylinder diesel in a 1950 chevy styleline... I will start a new thread!

Nuts, I was checking on this project. I drove to St Louis once to pick up a chevy extended van w a 6.2. He took the pix right at dusk as to disguise all the rust along the bottom. I ended up walking on this one & got my deposit back.

This is my second 3.0L 5 cyl MB. Another project but at least it came w a 2-tank Greasecar kit on it. It's an 83 300SD. I'd like to check out your 50 Styleline. Two or Four door? Keeping the Benz auto w it as well?

Good luck,
Dave