Replacing a gas engine with a diesel
I have been looking at full-timing in an RV for a while and have finally found an affordable one that is in surprisingly good shape. The only problem is, I know I really want a Diesel engine and this ...
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Another possible engine/transmission swap would be the "Oldsmobile" diesel from the early 80s, with the matching diesel-tuned TH350 transmission. The engine came as 4.3 V-6 (several models, you want the one from a front-engine rear-drive Cutlass) and a 5.7 V-8 (from full size sedan like Delta 88). Some of these found their way into Chevy, Pontiac and Buick mid-size cars (B body) and the V-8 into some Cadillacs.
Beware the engine had a reputation for unreliability, mostly because it was not equipped to deal with contaminated fuels common at the time, and the transmission was subject to a class action initiated by a couple of state attorneys-general.
Performance was less than equivalent size GM gas engines, about 80-100 HP for the various sixes, maybe 20% more.
Look in junkyards for the whole car, if any escaped the early 21st century "scrap the clunkers" programs.
Beware the engine had a reputation for unreliability, mostly because it was not equipped to deal with contaminated fuels common at the time, and the transmission was subject to a class action initiated by a couple of state attorneys-general.
Performance was less than equivalent size GM gas engines, about 80-100 HP for the various sixes, maybe 20% more.
Look in junkyards for the whole car, if any escaped the early 21st century "scrap the clunkers" programs.
