As I understand it, GM's first attempt with a light duty diesel was to
convert a gas engine into a diesel. Didn't work. A diesel engine has to be
designed from the ground up, unless you convert from a very HD gas engine,
which I'm told IH did with 6.9, later 7.3 engine. I have an IH product with
a 345 V-8. It weighs abt 746 lbs, without access. Close to what a Cummins
5.9 diesel weighs. Anyway, they build for stout, then double it, as the Army
Corps of Engineers say!! Bob K in PHX
----- Original Message -----
From: <mark@noakes.com>
To: <oletrucks@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2003 1:03 PM
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] Off-topic : opinions on early Chevy 350 diesel
motors from 70s-80's
> I had a friend at work that had one; he was a very detail-oriented
engineer and very
> picky about taking care of things by the book. He had a terrible time
with his diesel.
> Everything I've heard/read about those engines has been consistent with
his
> experience...that they are junk and to be avoided. GM missed it on that
one.
>
> As to diesels in general applied to TF or AD trucks, I'd love to know what
would fit and
> with what modifications and if anyone has ever done this.
>
> Mark Noakes
>
> On Sun, 26 Jan 2003, GremlinGTs@aol.com wrote:
>
> >
> > 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
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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