Geo Metro convertible / Kubota diesel engine conversion (driving!)

[kimer6]

Davey and Ryan, the diesel Metro sat for 3 months outside. It started right up. It it way too gutless to put higher gearing in. If anything, the diesel should be 1500cc or bigger. The turbo did not get installed. The smoke is a result of having a generator governor instead of the 3 arm Bobcat governor. Both incredibly expensive. My governor bangs the rack wide open even with minor throttle movements. The one used on the Bobcat has a fuel limiter spring and speed/fuel timing advancer. And the turbo Kubotas have another device to further balance boost with fuel curve. So I left the diesel project for now.

I am busy with 2 old boats and have to learn everything about outboard engines and lower units. A curiosity is the Perkins 47hp diesel powered mini tug I bought, not running. A replacement Lucas starter cost $995.00 so I goofed around on the internet and found a brand new planetary geared Delco for $125 and made an adapter to fit the bellhousing. I got the "Git 'er done" spirit. Now the Perkins diesel starts within 5 seconds stone cold with no glow plugs because it spins over so fast. See, I learned something about diesels with that Metro.

[Johnny Mullet]

The faster you spin it, the faster compression and heat builds to start it. That's and idea! Fast-crank diesel replacement starters

[MetroMPG]

Bummer about the status of the diesel Metro, kimer. Live and learn. Nothing money won't solve!

Keep in mind the previous generation smart cars sold in Canada/Europe had 799cc 3-cyl turbo diesels, worse aerodynamics and the same weight as the Metros.

[musichead]

Originally Posted by kimer6

Update: The diesel Metro runs pretty well right now. As I thought, the injection timing was too retarded and one injector had a bad spray pattern. It takes 2 springs inside the governor to get 3900 rpm from the Kubota. Shifts will be at 3600 or so. I moved the top governed speed out of the way because it is so annoying to hit the governor like a rev limiter on a gas engine just as you are shifting.

Smoke is almost non existant now. But the fuse block melted down yesterday when I turned on the blinkers. I don't want to push my luck until the fuse block is changed out. The headlights also don't work.

A bit of advice for anyone wanting to put something like this together....forget using the generator Kubota engine with 1800rpm decal on the valve cover....like mine. This governor is completely different than the ones rated 3000 or 3600rpm. It is a "2 fork" type, with very few adjustments. You need the 3 arm governor to make it drivable. This has a speed variable injection pump timing and a torque limiter to cut excess exhaust smoke. I wish I had known this sooner. My injection timing is by shims. It is now set to run well at 3000 but rattles and knocks pretty good at idle. It costs over $1000 to buy the parts I really need for the centrifugal advancer. I'll keep looking for used pieces. It is a little peppier with the re shimmed injection pump now. Keep you posted.....

dear kimer6

I read your note about kubota D1105 .. ex generator..
i have this machine.. and want to build a coffee grinder machine..
but the grinder spek need abou 2200 rpm..

i just want to know your experience on engine..
is that any way to increase rpm to 2200 without change any part (only adjust the engine)..

or on what rpm you can reach with this machine without change the part..

thank for your info..
i realy need your experience..

[kimer6]

Originally Posted by musichead

dear kimer6

I read your note about kubota D1105 .. ex generator..
i have this machine.. and want to build a coffee grinder machine..
but the grinder spek need abou 2200 rpm..

i just want to know your experience on engine..
is that any way to increase rpm to 2200 without change any part (only adjust the engine)..

or on what rpm you can reach with this machine without change the part..

thank for your info..
i realy need your experience..

Sure you can get almost 3200 rpm just by adjusting the governor on the outside of the unit. 2200 should be very easy. Just back out the governor screws that hold the engine at 1800 rpm and move the throttle lever to increase speed. This should be very easy for you.

[musichead]

Originally Posted by kimer6

Sure you can get almost 3200 rpm just by adjusting the governor on the outside of the unit. 2200 should be very easy. Just back out the governor screws that hold the engine at 1800 rpm and move the throttle lever to increase speed. This should be very easy for you.

thanks for response kimer..
you describe on previous post that the kubota generator engine 1800.. need difference governor than 2 fork type on kubota genset 1800 to make it like industrial type on 3600rpm..
and you spend $1000 to make the change...
so.. i little confuse.... why you spend a lot of money if the we can modify the rpm from 1800 to 3000 like in the quote..
i am far away from my engine that located on my village...
so need know the theory first..

wait for your reply..
thanks kimer

[kimer6]

The generator Kubota engine does not have variable injection timing. The injection timing can be precisely set by changing the thickness of the shims under the top plate of the injection pump. The factory shimmed the injectors to run best at 1800 rpm.

The 3 arm governor has a drive gear that has a centrifugal advance mechanism to advance the injection timing as the speed increases. Almost every automotive diesel injection pump uses a built in timing advancer. It makes the engine much more responsive as the rpm and power settings change as the driver shifts through the gears.

The 3 arm governor uses the third arm to move the injector rack position more slowly than the directly connected 2 arm type. The 2 arm governor moves the fuel injector rack very quickly so extra load placed on the generator will not slow the engine down. In a car, this fast action causes the exhaust to smoke if the driver is not very careful with his foot.

In your case with a coffee grinder I think you will not have to change the shims under the injection pump. You may notice that heavy loads on the engine will cause black smoke from the exhaust until the engine once again stabilizes.

My home email address is cbx_kim@hotmail.com if you would like to write directly. I have a spare engine and camera and can help you with your project. Cheers...Kim

[highmileagemarshmallow]

did you end up abandoning the kubota swap? fill me in to what happened these pass months, also im looking to do a diesel swap with my festiva can you share any pivotal advice?

[kimer6]

No, not abandoned but a little lonely in storage right now. There are too many projects and only one of me. Tips...swap an automotive diesel only, no tractor or generator drive engine. Then use the trans and clutch that came with the diesel. The engineers at the factory got it right. A Toyota Starlet JDM turbo diesel with 5 speed costs about $1500 and is popular in foreigncountries. We can't get the good stuff here...

[fairdinkumfrankies]

I had considered taking the JDM turbo diesel and swap into a Geo Prism or Toyota Tercel