Diesel to gas conversion question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69 air cab · 01-03-2005, 09:06 PM

I am looking at buying a very solid 85 truck that is currently a diesel. Is is costly to convert to a gas engine? Does the harness have to be changed? Does the gas tank have to be changed out? Any info or warnings will help before I drop the cash.
Thanks

bloertcher · 01-05-2005, 05:50 AM

It's a cakewalk,I just did one about 2 months ago.swap the tourqe convertor for a gas one,it'l bolt right in.No wiring change,you'll just have some excess crap to cut out or tie out of the way.Your fuel tanks are fine,too.Just make sure you drain all that diesal out of them.Outside of that,just make sure you get all the brackets/pulleys,etc with the gas motor,nothing interchanges between the motors themselves

784X4GUY · 01-05-2005, 10:16 AM

Wow!! That sounds alot easier than what I heard it was...Later Mike

**special-K** · 01-05-2005, 11:22 AM

Why bother.Is it that hard to find a good gas truck?Is the diesel running?Just get a gasser and leave the diesel for someone that appreciates it for what it is.People either love them or hate them.I love them,plan on doing the opposite.So,if you do get it,I`d be interested in the motor.They aren`t built for speed,but they love the hi-way.

bloertcher · 01-06-2005, 04:39 AM

I swear,it's that easy.The only 2 parts that are difficult are sorting out the wiring you no longer need,and pulling that nasty old oilburner out!
Special K,if your swapping in a diesal,why not dump a cummins in,and actually get some power outta the deal?

arveetek · 01-06-2005, 12:21 PM

If the engine is running in that '85, I'd keep the diesel. You'll get nearly 20 mpg, and have enough torque that you won't miss the horsepower. Slap on a turbo, and you'll have power like a 454 that gets twice the mileage!

The diesel engine is much simpler with fewer parts and less to go wrong. I don't want another gas powered truck again.

A Cummins would be more power, but a lot more work and a ton more money.

Casey

69 air cab · 01-06-2005, 07:36 PM

THanks guys..........good info. I made my offer today.

**special-K** · 01-06-2005, 09:06 PM

So is the diesel running?Bloertcher,my reply,to keep it simple.Also,I have a 6.5TD that makes 325hp/600+/-ft/lbs.With twin-turbo I can get 450hp.But,I just want an economical(oximoron)`72 w/mucho tq.& fuel inj.for 4-wheelin`.

caneswin5 · 01-07-2005, 09:14 AM

You may also have to change over the starter to gas also.....

01-03-2005, 09:06 PM	#1
69 air cab Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 477	Diesel to gas conversion question I am looking at buying a very solid 85 truck that is currently a diesel. Is is costly to convert to a gas engine? Does the harness have to be changed? Does the gas tank have to be changed out? Any info or warnings will help before I drop the cash. Thanks

01-05-2005, 10:16 AM	#3
784X4GUY Did someone say MUD? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Pullman,WA Posts: 1,089	Wow!! That sounds alot easier than what I heard it was...Later Mike __________________ Im in the market guys...so keep ya eyes peeled -------------------- Mini trucks are for guys who cant get it up!

01-05-2005, 11:22 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Why bother.Is it that hard to find a good gas truck?Is the diesel running?Just get a gasser and leave the diesel for someone that appreciates it for what it is.People either love them or hate them.I love them,plan on doing the opposite.So,if you do get it,I`d be interested in the motor.They aren`t built for speed,but they love the hi-way. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-06-2005, 12:21 PM	#6
arveetek Ultimate Diesel Dude Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Southwest Missouri Posts: 328	If the engine is running in that '85, I'd keep the diesel. You'll get nearly 20 mpg, and have enough torque that you won't miss the horsepower. Slap on a turbo, and you'll have power like a 454 that gets twice the mileage! The diesel engine is much simpler with fewer parts and less to go wrong. I don't want another gas powered truck again. A Cummins would be more power, but a lot more work and a ton more money. 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

01-06-2005, 09:06 PM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	So is the diesel running?Bloertcher,my reply,to keep it simple.Also,I have a 6.5TD that makes 325hp/600+/-ft/lbs.With twin-turbo I can get 450hp.But,I just want an economical(oximoron)`72 w/mucho tq.& fuel inj.for 4-wheelin`. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

01-05-2005, 05:50 AM	#2
bloertcher Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Springfield,Mo. Posts: 305	It's a cakewalk,I just did one about 2 months ago.swap the tourqe convertor for a gas one,it'l bolt right in.No wiring change,you'll just have some excess crap to cut out or tie out of the way.Your fuel tanks are fine,too.Just make sure you drain all that diesal out of them.Outside of that,just make sure you get all the brackets/pulleys,etc with the gas motor,nothing interchanges between the motors themselves

01-06-2005, 04:39 AM	#5
bloertcher Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Springfield,Mo. Posts: 305	I swear,it's that easy.The only 2 parts that are difficult are sorting out the wiring you no longer need,and pulling that nasty old oilburner out! Special K,if your swapping in a diesal,why not dump a cummins in,and actually get some power outta the deal?

01-06-2005, 07:36 PM	#7
69 air cab Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 477	THanks guys..........good info. I made my offer today.

01-07-2005, 09:14 AM	#9
caneswin5 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Lake Ariel, Pa. Posts: 6	You may also have to change over the starter to gas also.....



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