Diesel Swaps into 50s/60s Classics

[oil pan 4]

The cummins 5.9L engines weigh like 1100 pounds.

The old brick filter head and the lift pump are the main source of inward air leaks.

[lacolocho]

Instead of American classic cars I would target the people that cherish European classic cars like VWs, Opels, and BMWs. I would guess that they would be more amenable to the "what if " of modern diesel drivetrains in their cars.

Hmmm... I'm imagining a Mercedes 240d engine and manual tranny in a bmw 2002

I don't really think there's much point into swapping a diesel engine into those cars. They're so small and already get pretty good gas mileage. I don't see them being very desirable unless they're in fabulous shape and then why not leave them as-is? They are also much harder to find than the American cars.

I'm trying to fill a gap for folks who want a decent-sized vehicle that is fuel efficient and still somewhat interesting, in addition to being biofuel-compatible. Currently a Mercedes diesel is the only thing that fits that category.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by ConnClark

I thought the V8 was a 5.7 liter. A 4.3 would be a V6.

Nope, the V8 came in 3 varieties 4.3,4.8,5.7 all had head bolt issues.
The "6" came in 2 varieties, inline and V, the best motor GM ever made diesel wise was the inline 6 olds, it weighed almost as much as the 5.7, had more headbolts and was rock solid as diesel.

[lacolocho]

Ok, just want to clarify what people are saying with an example.

I buy an 80s 4x4 Suburban with a 6.2L, and say a 62 Corvair with a stock V8 and automatic tranny

I can swap the 6.2L diesel into the Corvair and it will work fine with the stock transmission (gearing)?

Can I then swap the V8 gasser into the Suburban and have two running vehicles at the end? (thus able to sell the Suburban and lowering my costs)

I'm obviously going to look more into the specific transmissions and such once I am ready to start buying and working on this project. Just trying to get some general info for now.

[tortoise]

Originally Posted by lacolocho

I buy an 80s 4x4 Suburban with a 6.2L, and say a 62 Corvair with a stock V8 and automatic tranny.

Huh? Do you mean maybe a Chevelle, or a Corvette? Corvairs had rear mounted air-cooled flat sixes, ya know? On the other hand, Chevelles started in '63.

[lacolocho]

OK, poor choice. I actually know like zero about Corvairs. Sure, an Impala or Chevelle or even a Cadillac.

[vacationtime247]

This statement bothers me because it's true. > = (
VT247

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

As far as classic car guys being interested in the "correct" engines, the midwest guys at least seem to want to stick a 350 Chevy into everything from a Radio Flyer wagon to a school bus.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by lacolocho

Ok, just want to clarify what people are saying with an example.

I buy an 80s 4x4 Suburban with a 6.2L, and say a 62 Corvair with a stock V8 and automatic tranny

I can swap the 6.2L diesel into the Corvair and it will work fine with the stock transmission (gearing)?

Can I then swap the V8 gasser into the Suburban and have two running vehicles at the end? (thus able to sell the Suburban and lowering my costs)

I'm obviously going to look more into the specific transmissions and such once I am ready to start buying and working on this project. Just trying to get some general info for now.

Redline on a 6.2 in 4000rpm, best to stick at 3600rpm or lower. Depending on what exactly you are dealing with you may want a higher rearend differential (which is likely already on the suburban) not because of the redline but because of the excess fuel consumption migrating above 2800rpms.

[lacolocho]

Redline on a 6.2 in 4000rpm, best to stick at 3600rpm or lower. Depending on what exactly you are dealing with you may want a higher rearend differential (which is likely already on the suburban) not because of the redline but because of the excess fuel consumption migrating above 2800rpms.

You mean a higher differential in the [chevelle]? Can you be more specific please, I'm getting confused as to what you're referring to...

[rmay635703]

My 82 suburban has a 2.8 geared rearend diff from a very old unnamed chevy car.

Many times (but not always) rearends are swappable from one chevy to another, even if they are 30 years apart with a small amount of effort (assuming they are the same size)

I was saying with a 6.2 you probably want a higher rearend than what would come in a typical 60's era car just because you would waste a lot of gas if your rpms are too high, it probably wouldn't hurt anything and you can even tune the 6.2 to deal with high RPMs fairly well but there is not point to have the gears needed for pulling stumps when the 6.2 in a car can get better fuel economy in the 1600-2200rpm range.