Conversion of Gas to Diesel

[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?

[69MyWay]

This is one of those do-it-yourself home diesel kits:

http://www.autoshop4u.com/products.html

[ProTouring442]

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"

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?

[Jr]

Can you make good power (300 horse/torque) with Bio diesel? The system looks cool, I wonder how much $$$$...

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by DJW32

Can you make good power (300 horse/torque) with Bio diesel? The system looks cool, I wonder how much $$$$...

"They" claim it is just as good as the regular stuff and makes your vehicle smell like French Fries cruising down the road.

I saw an episode of TRUCKS on Spike TV where Stacey put some in a Ram truck and drove around smoking the back tires off. They said it was right at .70 cents a gallon.

[Jr]

Originally Posted by 69MyWay

"They" claim it is just as good as the regular stuff and makes your vehicle smell like French Fries cruising down the road.

I saw an episode of TRUCKS on Spike TV where Stacey put some in a Ram truck and drove around smoking the back tires off. They said it was right at .70 cents a gallon.

I wonder how much the equipment would cost? Also, what would someone have to do for a conversion or can you use an existing diesel motor?

[srh3trinity]

I would love to do a crew cab 73-87 shortbed Chevy truck with a Duramax and convert it to Biodiesel.

[907rs]

I don't think there is any converting to do. If memory serves me right, Stacey poured biodiesel in the tank and started smoking the tires.

[jannes_z-28]

Over here in Europe the major makes have had TurboDiesels for decades. They are now so developed that you can't tell the difference between a gas driven or a diesel driven car except the smell of the exhaust. They perform as well as anything else. BMW just recently announced a new model with plenty of horsepower and somewhere like 50 mpg.

Jan

[69MyWay]

Originally Posted by 907rs

I don't think there is any converting to do. If memory serves me right, Stacey poured biodiesel in the tank and started smoking the tires.

Correct...however, I am doing a little bench dreaming here. I was imagining finding a way to use my current fuel injection (gasoline) and convert my 454 to burn diesel ie..bio-diesel as an ultra torque monster that smells like french fries as it fries the local competition.

I realize that the old 350 GM diesel motors will bolt in the same spot as a BB or SB gasoline engine...however, my accesories, exhaust....etc wouldn't work.

What is the point of dreaming this up if it would end up costing more than the reward of .70 cent a gallon fuel???????

Just doing some dreaming........