1992 Caprice Station Wagon 305 V8 vs 6.2 Liter Diesel

[slowmover]

Boy, pleased to hear the steering pieces aren't a problem. And that's quite a fit up agains the firewall!! It's come a long way already. Glad this part of it is over.

[vacationtime247]

Well, I found out why the motor mounts aren't lining up. The oil pan is hitting the crossmember. So, the engine had to come back out. Tried using some persuasive hammering but still couldn't get the clearance I needed. So, I'll be taking off the oil pan and marking the area that needs modified. Not a big deal, but another set back. Been chomping at the bit to get this engine up and running in the car. Another area of concern was the back injector is very close to the steering linkage where it has the large round part near the firewall. Think it clears ok, but that extra 1/4 inch it needs to drop to align the motor mounts makes it sketchy. Few areas where that 1/4 inch of space makes all the difference in the world.

So to sum it up, engine is back out. Oil pan must come off. Take the pan to the speed shop (A-1 speed shop / Hyiats Welding) and have 'ol boy fab up a notched in area for clearance.

Took me 2-3 months to get the 350 Chevy down in the Supra and running. Just figured this one wouldn't take as long, hoping for a simple drop in. Did get under the hood cleaned up much nicer. Took the A/C canister off and all the lines. Took off the fuel canister off up front, might add another battery in there. Took off the cruise control box.

Fed my 2 friends helping me a healthy diet of Budweiser and pretzels. Scared the crap out of them with an oxygen acetylene bomb in a latex glove from work. LOL!
VT247

[vacationtime247]

Got the oil pan back from the speed / welding shop here in town. Fits in there great, lots of extra room now for the pan. However, the mounts still don't want to line up. They're about 1/4 inch off but can't get the bolts to go through. Had to take off the bolts holding the mounts to the frame. Used my big red wrench to make things easier. Anyone that has tried to get a socket, wobble and extension on the bolts under the mounts knows the difficulty with taking them off. So, I just torched it. Will dremel or drill just above the factory motor mount bolt holes on the frame. Raise the mounts up some and leave the bolts loose for easier assembly. Only had this engine in and back out now about 10 X. Progress is being made, was stalled out d/t the newly aquire PT (PITA) Cruiser.
VT247

[JQmile]

Cool project...mid to low 20s are common in low 2wd diesel trucks, I'd say 30+ should be no problem.

[vacationtime247]

Torched out the motor mounts. Drilled out holes above the stock ones, then used a dremel to notch up the areas where it will bolt to. The engine wants to sit higher than where the stock mounts are. So, raise the mount bolt location. Next step is to get bolts for the motor mounts and big washers for the back side under the crossmember. Yet another project, it will be completed eventually, one step at a time.
VT247

[Big Dave]

I'm not surprised you had to relocate the motor mounts.

My understanding is that guys putting LS-series engines in B-Bodies routinely weld in relocated motor mounts. The oil pan thing is also common in LS swaps.

There is a guy on the 6.2-6.5 dieselpage site that has done this swap several times. Last I heard, he was swapping a 6.5 into a Fleetwood.

[vacationtime247]

I'm hopeful that the mounts will be able to bolt in where I've cut for clearance. The rear injector is very close to the steering linkage, should have room though from prior engine test fits. Honestly, the only thing slowing me down from moving forward is the thought of putting the nuts in from under the crossmember. A few black taped wobbles, holding the nut in place and threading it in without falling off. Need to find the right nuts and bolts for an easy install. If that doesn't work. I'll just set the engine in and tow it to the local welding / speed shop. Have them weld in the mounts. Don't trust my welding skills to hold.

Soooo many projects and things to get done. Try to get at least one project done a day. Yesterday it was fixing the deck. Wife wanted a pre-summer vacation so we went to the Smokey Mt National park, cleaned out the ponds, fix the PT Cruiser, kids sports, battery cables on the Escort, tires for the Tempo, work, etc. Hard to find time for everything. Especially when my wife recruits me into being Mr. Fixit for all her friends and family, lol.
VT247

Originally Posted by Big Dave

I'm not surprised you had to relocate the motor mounts.

My understanding is that guys putting LS-series engines in B-Bodies routinely weld in relocated motor mounts. The oil pan thing is also common in LS swaps.

There is a guy on the 6.2-6.5 dieselpage site that has done this swap several times. Last I heard, he was swapping a 6.5 into a Fleetwood.

[houseofdiesel]

I know of one converted locally to me, he recently sold it and was claiming 40mpg (imp) so 36 mpUSg. I believe he used a lot of military issue parts on the 6.2 like the intake manifold etc to clear the hood, cannot remember exactly all of it we did talk until dark one evening...he did install a diesel valve body into the transmission so it would not over rev the engine did keep the 700r4. I believe he upgraded the front springs also. I don't remember what he did over the p/s pump, possibly had an alternative location for the pump from a different vehicle or deleted abs. He was hardcore into self made bio diesel also.

[motiszm]

So...this thread is awesome. I've been thinking about getting one of these wagons for a while now and I've decided that we're going to get one within the year.

So my brother has an 84 diesel blazer (the military version) and he does 23 mpg highway. If this engine can get that in a big brick shaped blazer it should do great things in a station wagon. Any updates?

[big shafe]

Interesting project, can't wait to hear some first run numbers.