1983 G20 van build - looking for advice

[Gasoline Fumes]

Yes, the 6.2L diesel will fit. GM offered it in vans. Bolts in just like the small block.

[bryn]

i like the 6.2 option. i don't think they are a highly rated engine as far as diesels go but the motor mounts should be the same as your 350 and having the trans with it is nice.
a friend has a 6.2 in his G30 and it went 235,000 miles fine. then sat a year and needed head gaskets. i would not be afraid to put one in,
veggie oil kits are easy enough to install and use, but a system to make your own bio-diesel is not too hard either if you have a little space. i think that's how i would do it if i was doing it over again

[kv1]

okay. Do you know if it will be more efficient than the 5.8 gas one in there right now?

The diesel running veggie oil should be way better for the environment right?

[MobilOne]

Keep the 350. Make sure that the carb is properly set up and is not leaking. Inflate the tires to 35#. You will never save on lower fuel usage from a more efficient drive train what it will cost you to upgrade. Your best bet is just to make the set up you have reliable.

[kv1]

Yeah I figure I won't make any money by doing this, but my intent is to reduce my ecological footprint, and I think driving that thing at the 15mpg it's going to get on gas won't be adding me any points.

Will I be able to smog the diesel?

[MobilOne]

One more heads up, look under the hood and see how little (as in almost none) room there is to work. And then think about shoe horning another engine/transmission in there.

[kv1]

That's true. Is the 6.2L significantly bigger? If need be I can just cut the floor of the van to make room right? Since the engine comes out from the bottom of the van...

[Gasoline Fumes]

You won't have to do any cutting. The 6.2L was an optional engine for your van.

[spacemanspif]

Used complete engines are always a crap shoot when bought off CL.com. You would be much better off buying one from a junk yard that comes with a warranty. If you are going to need this van up and running in 4 months, you are better off not doing an engine swap because they ALWAYS cost more than you expect and take more time to complete. Your best bet right now is get rid of the TH350 or 400 (3spd trans) and get an overdrive trans (200r4 or 700r4). I'm guessing later versions of the van came with a 700 so you should be able to get the trans, crossmember and proper length driveshaft (if needed, I forget the different lengths of transmissions and if crossmembers play well with them all) from a junk yard. Another option is a manual swap but pedals and hardware placement might be problematic with those stupid engine bays. Getting the engine running properly is most important, do a tune up and compression check to see how the engine is overall and then start tweeking, a wide band o2 is a great tuning tool if you can afford it. The carb may need a rebuild as well. That thing should be good for close to 20mpg on the highway but will never be a sipper, diesel will probably only net you 22mpg...

Carbon footprint is a difficult one that's all on you, but at least you are keeping an old car running instead of adding the cost of recycling it and building a new one...

[cosmick]

I'm driving an '03 Ford van I found last summer with 115K miles, cost $3K, averages 16 MPG in town, 22 MPG highway, with the lame 225-HP 4.6L V8, 4R70W, 3.55:1 gears. Drives well, reliable, looks alot like a 2013 model, and I think you'd do well to find similar rather than spend more on what you got.
Just because you got it cheap doesn't mean it is worth a big investment like that. Yours looks exactly like a late '90s model except for the grille.
Vans are extra difficult for engine swaps, your best bet is a 305, and that'll never compete. That van is nothing special, these days hardly any vans are, even the ones that got the very best megadollar customizations back in the late '70s when vans were the fad.