Diesel Swaps into 50s/60s Classics

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I've already seen many American full-size sedans with 4-cylinder small Diesels under 3.0L in Uruguay. Isuzu engines such as the 2.8L 4JB1 (including some turbocharged versions), the 2.4L C240 (which was fitted to some export versions of the Jeep CJ-series and early Wranglers) and even the 2.2L C223 can be found into nearly anything, including trucks and SUVs. And in the 80s there was at least one version of the Chevy C10 made in Argentina with a Peugeot-Indenor 2.3L turbodiesel (the same one from the Peugeot 505)...

Originally Posted by Ryland

I think the frightliner vans have a 2.5l turbo diesel engine in them, so it seems like it could fit in a wide range of vehicles, a ford ranger with it would be impressive as a tow vehicle.

Argentinian-made Ford Ranger had many versions fitted with a 2.5L turbodiesel which was also used in the Argentinian versions of the Freightliner/Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and so did the Brazilian Chevy S10. It was even available for a 2WD short-bed version of the Brazilian F150 in '97...

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by wndsofchng

Hey all. I am working diligently at putting a 6.2 GM diesel into my 55 buick special. I obviously plan to run veg oil when complete. This may be the only site my poor old car fits in. The traditional hot rodders hate diesel. The buick guys aren't a big fan of the swap and most diesel forums are based on trucks. I am excited to see more on this thread.

Matt

Dont run SVO on a 6.2L You can cut it in with the fuel up to 25% with out any problems and few modifications. Much more than that and relyabilty starts going down.

[wndsofchng]

I've never had an issue as long as the oil is up to temp and you flush with diesel before shutting down. I'm also thinking bio diesel. ...supplies are easy around here .

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I'm also favorable to biodiesel. But remember: it's good to replace all the fuel piping for some which wouldn't get damaged from biodiesel.

[drainoil]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I've already seen many American full-size sedans with 4-cylinder small Diesels under 3.0L in Uruguay. Isuzu engines such as the 2.8L 4JB1 (including some turbocharged versions), the 2.4L C240 (which was fitted to some export versions of the Jeep CJ-series and early Wranglers) and even the 2.2L C223 can be found into nearly anything, including trucks and SUVs. And in the 80s there was at least one version of the Chevy C10 made in Argentina with a Peugeot-Indenor 2.3L turbodiesel (the same one from the Peugeot 505)...

Were these c10 vans ever offered with a diesel? Perkins?




I understand Chevrolet also made a c10 based Suburban type suv exclusive to Argentina and/or Brazil (different from the American version).

[larrybuck]

I've been impressed with the mileage my '85 Suburban 6.2 can do.

I have read that with a couple (2) of small aftermarket turbo's, a 6.2 will run like a 454,
but get great mpg. when you drive nice.

To me, this sounds like the best case of having your cake, and eating it too!

If you like ANYTHING in the GM family: Olds, Pontiac, Buicks, or Chevs, this swap
would be fairly easy.

For someone trying to make a profit while building cars like this; I think the key is showing the finished result. Impress at the strip with low ET's. Then verbalize the
mpg possible in daily life.

With bio. you are losing the black smoke that turns so many off.

Future world events will eventually cause regular gearheads to come around, but will take awhile.

A ready car is the sales tool. You must keep the performance image alive. Geeky won't
cut it for profit!

I would love to do a '70-72 Buick GSX tribute with a 6.2.

The badging would say GSD though! (Good...Speed...through Diesel!)

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by drainoil

Were these c10 vans ever offered with a diesel? Perkins?

Actually this van body wasn't made by GM itself, but by an independent bodybuilder (Brava). But had the 230cu.in. Stovebolt Six with a three-on-the-tree. Iveco's 2.5L 4-banger turbodiesel with a 5-speed floor-shifted transmission out of a Daily van.

I understand Chevrolet also made a c10 based Suburban type suv exclusive to Argentina and/or Brazil (different from the American version).

The Veraneio was made in Brazil, and had some Diesel versions with a non-turbo 4-banger from Perkins.

[MisterInnovation]

I don't doubt how much I would love a hybrid in a classic body, but I would want to do it myself as opposed to buying one...but that is just my style.

[freebeard]

Just don't start with anything with matching numbers. OK?

Nine pages and no mention of LincVolt?

[hefty lefty]

Originally Posted by lacolocho

So what gear ratios are common on the 60's cars?

There was a wide selection. Factory options on old full size Chryslers were very broad, the Chrysler 8-and-something and the Ford nine inch have the widest gear selection available.

I would plan on putting a Ford nine inch rear or a Dana 44 or 60 in any car I did a diesel swap in. The Mopar is a good one too, it is a near clone of the ford nine.

Cars in the fifties and sixties had too few gears. You will want at least a four speed automatic or a five or six speed manual in any conversion. The 700R4 and 200R4, Ford AOD and Chrysler 518 are all adaptable to many of their respective maker's engines. Manual transmissions include the aftermarket Richmond Gear and the factory NV4500 for trucks, the Tremec and a couple of others.

There are people who put B series Cumminses and Duramaxes in cars. No car is really capable of handling the weight, they belong in trucks and trucks only. Suitable car conversion engines are mostly Japanese, the Mercedes five cylinder, and if you have a big budget the VM and Steyr European engines.

The 6.2/6.5 Chevy is big block Chevy compatible for installation and will go into fullsize GM cars with little trouble. The 5.7 was not a good diesel engine no matter what anyone says, its best use is to build a gas drag race engine out of.

It's depressing seeing people swap in engines that were either no good in the first place or not suited to the vehicle.

There is a book, "How to convert your car van or pickup to diesel" by Paul Dempsey written in 1980 or thereabouts. It is still useful reading.

Is this a viable business? Absolutely not. But a lot of fun.