Dallas, TX member, 1997 Geo Metro

[planejob]

Hello.

I enjoy tinkering, technology, and working on cars. In the past I've had several interesting cars; several VW diesels, a Honda Insight 2dr, and a bunch of other stuff.

I've got a daily driver, and I decided to pick up a Geo Metro to work on, get up and running, and perhaps use as a daily driver once it's all up and going.

Last weekend I bought a 1997 Metro. Guy said it needed a head gasket and rings, had a receipt from the mechanic, even. I thought it would be a good project.

Got it home, pulled it into the garage, pulled the exhaust, intake, and head. Boom. Big ol' hole in the middle of the block...

Looks like it's going to be a heckuva project. I'm on the hunt for a new 4cyl block, and while I'm at it, I might see what it takes to make it a manual.

[elhigh]

Well, since you know that one is toast...

I've seen a couple of Geo Metros that were converted to diesel and served their owners pretty well.

There's one on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnAOF1bOSB8

I read an in-depth conversion thread about one that wound up with the head end of a single-cylinder Chinese air-cooled engine poking out of the hood: http://utterpower.com/10hp_chevy.htm

I'm not sure why, but you may have some luck talking to CrazyJerry (ecomodder user name Changzuki) about that one. I can't recall if he was involved or not. But on a mere 10hp the Metro would eventually struggle all the way up to 50mph, not too bad all in all.

I think a small Kubota or Yanmar three-pot mill would yield adequate power to move the car down the road at a relaxed pace, provide sufficient power to get it up the hills at some reasonable fraction of other traffic's average velocity, and yield BIG dividends at the greasy end of the fueling station.

[Daox]

Welcome to the site and good luck with the project. Please share it with us.

My 99 Metro needs an engine rebuild, my compression is definitely not where it should be. How hard is it to keep oil in the engine, c'mon previous owners... It can still kick out 60 mpg in summer though.

[planejob]

Hey guys thanks for the welcome!

The project is becoming more and more in depth as the days go on! I'm the proud owner of a Kubota D1005 3 cylinder diesel engine that will be going into the Metro. I've got a friend who is encouraging this project, and he convinced me to go with the diesel. I'm still researching if I can keep the auto transmission (no vacuum on the engine) or if I'd be better off doubling down on this insane project and swapping in a manual. Perhaps I should just trade the car?

The gasoline engine has been pulled from the shell - it's amazing how easy it is to pull these compact engines, I lifted mine out by hand because I lack a engine hoist.

I'll get the pictures uploaded and share soon.

I'm really, really, really hoping to find someone who can either sell me an adapter plate or explain to me (like a kindergartner) how to make one. Any Suggestions?


Does this picture work:

[Gasoline Fumes]

Swap in a manual! It'll be easier than getting the computer-controlled auto trans to work with the diesel.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

With an old-school indirect injection Diesel you can also give veg oils a try.

[planejob]

I'm creating a whole new "build thread" complete with pictures. Check it out.

[planejob]

Here's a link to it:
Geo Metro to Kubota Project