1976 Air cooled diesel experimental truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Beausoleil Racing · 08-15-2004, 09:46 PM

Does anyone have information on an experimental 1976 air cooled diesel Chevy truck? My brother claims he bought it recently (will have pics after Labor Day) and I would like to find out more...

Thanks

Beausoleil Racing · 08-18-2004, 12:05 PM

No one knows anything?

wedgemon · 08-18-2004, 12:24 PM

Just a guess - but the engine was likely a Deutz or (gulp) MWM. I heard som rumblings about this experiment back in '81.

RockHQ · 08-18-2004, 12:26 PM

air cooled+diesel=madness!

Hell yes i want to see pics!

Grim Reaper · 08-18-2004, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockHQ

air cooled+diesel=madness!

Hell yes i want to see pics!

Actually it doesn't A non Turbo charged diesel runs pretty cool unless under a lot of load. Some of the stuff out of Russia and europe is odd and runs aircooled. From a maintance stand point it's great! a Lot less stuff to fail.
I think the GAZ, Volvo, Pinzgauer, Kamaz and Tatra all make air cooled diesels.

RockHQ · 08-18-2004, 01:35 PM

All diesels run pretty cool unless under a load.

Anyway, i can recall only a few russian military vehicle air cooled diesels, but there may be more from other makes. We have a LOT of old russian military equipment here, some of that stuff is pretty wild. Never heard of a passenger car or a light duty truck with an air cooled diesel. The biggest problem with air cooling is uneven heat dissipation.

Why anyone in their right mind would put an air cooled diesel under the hood of a 73-87 i don't know, but it sure is exotic.

arveetek · 08-19-2004, 11:39 AM

Beausoleil Racing,

I've never heard of such a thing either, but let us know what you find out!

Casey

NeCrOmAnCeR · 08-19-2004, 01:22 PM

Up until the release of the M1 series of tanks, U.S. military tanks used air cooled 12 cylinder twin turbo-charged diesels. The recovery vehicle (m88) still uses them. They have a pair of engine driven fans which move an unbelievable ammount of air through the engine. When I was in the Corps, I was a tank mechanic, and working on the top of these things (deck removed) you had to be carefull with the engine running, at full bore or the airflow would lift you up. Some german designed agricultural equipment use air colled diesels too. While it may seem weird, it is actually a good design. The recovery vehicles I mentioned ran great in the desert (easily 120 degrees some days) while towing a 68 ton tank( the vehicle weighed 56 tons by itself). If a cylinder is damaged or worn out. you can replace that piston and cylinder (jug) without rebuilding the entire endine (assuming the other cylinders are undamaged). The design has been in use since at least WWII.

KShortell · 08-20-2004, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeCrOmAnCeR

Up until the release of the M1 series of tanks, U.S. military tanks used air cooled 12 cylinder twin turbo-charged diesels. The recovery vehicle (m88) still uses them. They have a pair of engine driven fans which move an unbelievable ammount of air through the engine. ... If a cylinder is damaged or worn out. you can replace that piston and cylinder (jug) without rebuilding the entire endine (assuming the other cylinders are undamaged). The design has been in use since at least WWII.

That's the same engine used in Jay Leno's humongous hotrod built by the Blastolene Brothers. Absolutely wild!

08-15-2004, 09:46 PM	#1
Beausoleil Racing Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 31	1976 Air cooled diesel experimental truck Does anyone have information on an experimental 1976 air cooled diesel Chevy truck? My brother claims he bought it recently (will have pics after Labor Day) and I would like to find out more... Thanks Last edited by Beausoleil Racing; 08-15-2004 at 10:31 PM.

08-18-2004, 12:24 PM	#3
wedgemon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Spanish Springs, NV Posts: 1,171	Just a guess - but the engine was likely a Deutz or (gulp) MWM. I heard som rumblings about this experiment back in '81. __________________ 2003 Silverado K1500 Z71 - Arrival Blue 1973 K5 Cheyenne Blazer 350/TH350/NP203 Kids Trucks:92 K1500 Blazer 5.7/700R4 4" lift. RETIRED: 1980 Scottsdale 4x4 Founding Member: "TILT WHEEL BELLY." Club

08-18-2004, 12:26 PM	#4
RockHQ ROCKET POWER! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Finland, Europe Posts: 509	air cooled+diesel=madness! Hell yes i want to see pics! __________________ What did i do last nite? I had a wonderful time, That's what they tell me What did i do last nite? 1979 C-10 shortfleet: Olds 350, Th400, 12 bolt Current project: 1969 Olds 455 W-30, needing a rebuild

08-18-2004, 01:35 PM	#6
RockHQ ROCKET POWER! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Finland, Europe Posts: 509	All diesels run pretty cool unless under a load. Anyway, i can recall only a few russian military vehicle air cooled diesels, but there may be more from other makes. We have a LOT of old russian military equipment here, some of that stuff is pretty wild. Never heard of a passenger car or a light duty truck with an air cooled diesel. The biggest problem with air cooling is uneven heat dissipation. Why anyone in their right mind would put an air cooled diesel under the hood of a 73-87 i don't know, but it sure is exotic. __________________ What did i do last nite? I had a wonderful time, That's what they tell me What did i do last nite? 1979 C-10 shortfleet: Olds 350, Th400, 12 bolt Current project: 1969 Olds 455 W-30, needing a rebuild

08-19-2004, 11:39 AM	#7
arveetek Ultimate Diesel Dude Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Southwest Missouri Posts: 328	Beausoleil Racing, I've never heard of such a thing either, but let us know what you find out! Casey __________________ Project truck: '81 C/20 converted to 6.2L TURBO DIESEL bored .040", gear drive, 6.5L injectors/pump, custom pistons, custom 4" exhaust, 700R4, 4.10's Daily Driver: '95 K1500 Tahoe, 6.5L TURBO DIESEL, NP241, 4L80E, 3.42's

08-18-2004, 12:05 PM	#2
Beausoleil Racing Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 31	No one knows anything?

08-19-2004, 01:22 PM	#8
NeCrOmAnCeR Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hodgenville, Ky Posts: 735	Up until the release of the M1 series of tanks, U.S. military tanks used air cooled 12 cylinder twin turbo-charged diesels. The recovery vehicle (m88) still uses them. They have a pair of engine driven fans which move an unbelievable ammount of air through the engine. When I was in the Corps, I was a tank mechanic, and working on the top of these things (deck removed) you had to be carefull with the engine running, at full bore or the airflow would lift you up. Some german designed agricultural equipment use air colled diesels too. While it may seem weird, it is actually a good design. The recovery vehicles I mentioned ran great in the desert (easily 120 degrees some days) while towing a 68 ton tank( the vehicle weighed 56 tons by itself). If a cylinder is damaged or worn out. you can replace that piston and cylinder (jug) without rebuilding the entire endine (assuming the other cylinders are undamaged). The design has been in use since at least WWII.



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