A good friend of mine and his brother bought two brand new 1979 Chevy 1/2
ton diesel pickups because their dad owned a number of long haul
tractor-trailers, and the two sons had access to all the diesel fuel and
maintenance they could ask for. Within five years (maybe less?) both sons
and poppa had yanked the diesels and dropped in 350 gas small blocks. The
dad is probably one of the best mechanics I've ever known, especially with
diesels.
Harry
1955 1st Series Chevy
Reno
----- Original Message -----
From: <GremlinGTs@aol.com>
To: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2003 10:30 AM
Subject: [oletrucks] Off-topic : opinions on early Chevy 350 diesel motors
from 70s-80's
> Ok, to make it <barely> relevant to the List ; has anyone ever put a
> diesel motor in their old classic truck ? :D Ok, that said, the wife
needs a
> full-sized van, and found out about an '83 Chevy van that has the 350
diesel
> motor in it. I've gone to a few websites on Chevy diesel engines, and know
> that this era ( '78 up to '85 ) was prone to blowing head gaskets, rusting
> injector pumps, etc. Has anyone on the list owned one, and have good/bad
> things to say? One of the diesel Forums had a running Thread about how
> they're junk, whereas the truly "diesel" guys who've driven both big and
> small trucks with them, said alot of times it's how the engine is taken
care
> of ( MUCH more frequent oil changes at 1,500 miles, gas treatment to
prevent
> wax buildup in cold, ignition timing CRITICAL, etc. ), so there seems to
be
> good and bad about opinions. I'm not sure I want a diesel, especially if
it's
> going to sit alot without use, and require more "attention" to detail
I'm
> NOT detail-oriented, BTW ). So I want opinions on the Chevy 350 diesel
> itself, especially from the early 80's era, if anyone has relevant info on
> them as far as operation in cold ( I'm in northern Virginia, not North
> Dakota, LOL ), cost of frequent oil changes and other necessities, etc,
vs.
> savings in fuel costs, no tuneups, etc. Thanks to any and all replies both
> for and againest. AMC ya,
>
> Jerry
> '55 Chevy TF Suburban project
> '78, 74, 72 Gremlins
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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