The idea that Oldsmobile simply "converted" a gas engine to run on diesel isn't really true. The Olds diesel was an all new engine that was based on the dimensions of the 350 gas engine but with an entirely new block (very strong) with provisions to drive the injector pump, new heads (no combustion chamber) with a "pre-chamber," and of course special crank, rods, and pistons. The trouble GM had centerd mainly around the fact that the engine was not intended for mass production when it was released. Oldsmobile had intended to release a small batch, then warrantee the entire engine (like the ZR-1) to determine what modification would be needed to make them "right." Unfortunately, GM decided that it would be a great engine to have around with the gas crissis going on and forced Olds to allow the engine to be available acrossed the entire GM range. The biggest problems the early engines had was with cam wear. This came about mainly because people would go too long between oil changes. The later engines lasted quite well, and I know of several that went 200,000 miles or more with no problems. In the end they did still suffer from an insufficient oil capacity, and changing the oil every 3,000 miles is critical.
Hope this helps.
Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
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Originally Posted by 69MyWay
I am curious. What did GM do 25 years ago to convert gas engines to run on diesel?
Can a Chevy 454 be converted for minimal cost and junk yard swap parts?
I know there were issues with them and GM actually offered to replace the diesel with gas engines for many customers.
How cool would it be to convert, then get it to run off bio-diesel brewed in your own garage?
My initial guess is the compression ratio has to go up. Spark plugs go out and get replaced with glow-plugs. Distributor cap gets capped off.
What else?
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