Diesel Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Bernie** · 09-19-2005, 09:29 PM

This is off topic, but it relates to Chevy trucks. My truck is about finished so I'm looking to my next project. I got a 1978 CJ7 with a bad motor. I thought about putting a 350 in it rather than rebuilding the 304 that it presently has. Then I thought that it would be neat to put a diesel engine in it. I think that a 6.2 or a 6.5 chevy diesel would fit wherever a 350 would, but they are a lot heavier. I know that GM made 350 diesels up until about 1985. I have heard bad things said about these, but I know that they were put in our trucks. Does anybody have any information about these or any idea where to look for information ?
Thanks Bernie

*FUNMUDDER* · 09-19-2005, 09:53 PM

I think they are a diesel olds 350, using the olds 350 gas engine block. Not positive, but pretty sure. If you want real power from a diesel that will be easy to swap in, get a 3.9 cummins 4bt. 275 ft.lbs for 240 cubes......any questions?

Not only that, in a cj-7, if you get it geared up right, it will get amazing mileage and go pretty good. Just my insight.
Jake
P.S. the 4BT is the same engine they put in Dodge diesel truck, except with 2 cylinders cut off.......

djracer · 09-19-2005, 09:54 PM

I think all gm diesels suck except the duramax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Bernie** · 09-19-2005, 11:27 PM

yes, I looked at the Cummins. they make bellhousings too. a bit pricey. I thought that an Olds 350 might be cheaper. Anyone else got any thoughts ?

BobS · 09-20-2005, 12:19 AM

The Olds 350 diesel is very different from the later 6.2 and 6.5 diesels that were designed by Detroit Diesel. The Olds is a modified gas engine that was never known for it's durability. I think a 6.2 with a mechanical injection pump would be a fairly straight-forward swap into a CJ-7 and it would definitely be something different!

Bob

cableguy0 · 09-20-2005, 01:14 AM

the olds 350 diesel was one on the biggest mistakes gm ever hence why they didnt stay in production very long. they basically blow apart. they took a gas engine and bumped the compression 10 points higher than it was designed for. i doubt you could even find one that was still intact. most went to the junk yard with a rod hanging out of the block or the heads blown clean off of it. they are certainly not the staple of reliability by any means. my advice is to pick another candidate. the 304's are a good motor. i built one for my brothers cj7 and it runs like a raped ape. but the olds diesel is a very very very bad idea

ZOOMY · 09-20-2005, 01:28 AM

I had an Olds Toronado with a 350 diesel in it. Great fuel mileage. Ran it 210K miles until I got rear-ended & totaled the car. It was a DOG on power though. You had to plan way ahead if you were going to TRY to pass another car. Most of them were junk. STAY AWAY FORM THEM IF YOU CAN EVEN FIND ONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Bernie** · 09-20-2005, 08:48 AM

Thanks to all for the information. The Olds doesn't sound like a good idea. Maybe the project needs more thought.

**special-K** · 09-20-2005, 10:23 AM

Bolt a 6.2 or 6.5 in that thing and you won`t regret it.I have a 6.5 that kicks (stock)duramax butt in a`92.I love droppin`jaws on those guys in their mortgage machines with my tried and true`92.You want to stay with the mechanically injected ones,`93 and earlier.The late92-93s are 6.5 turboed.Go to www.thedieselpage.comAny 6.5TD can be converted to MFI by installing the mechanical pump.(no computer)

*FormerMember* · 09-20-2005, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUNMUDDER

I think they are a diesel olds 350, using the olds 350 gas engine block. Not positive, but pretty sure. If you want real power from a diesel that will be easy to swap in, get a 3.9 cummins 4bt. 275 ft.lbs for 240 cubes......any questions?

Not only that, in a cj-7, if you get it geared up right, it will get amazing mileage and go pretty good. Just my insight.
Jake
P.S. the 4BT is the same engine they put in Dodge diesel truck, except with 2 cylinders cut off.......

nope.

They are a Detroit Diesel. Not a gas block at all.

They're a decent motor for their time. Too heavy for a Cj7. Might want to look at the 4BT that was mentioned or the Perkins 4 Cyl that AMC put into CJ7's.

1969 GMC · 09-20-2005, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendel

nope.

They are a Detroit Diesel. Not a gas block at all.

They're a decent motor for their time. Too heavy for a Cj7. Might want to look at the 4BT that was mentioned or the Perkins 4 Cyl that AMC put into CJ7's.

The 6.2 and 6.5 are Detroit Diesels. The 5.7 is based on an Olds gasser block.

*FormerMember* · 09-20-2005, 01:53 PM

Sorry, I should've qualified my statement. I was talking about the 6.2 and 6.5.

Fatback · 09-20-2005, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendel

Might want to look at the 4BT that was mentioned or the Perkins 4 Cyl that AMC put into CJ7's.

I was not aware that AMC put Diesil engines in CJ's. That Perkins would be a nice engine in a CJ. I would probably either go with 258-6 or 304.

TP from Cntl PA · 09-20-2005, 08:20 PM

4 cylinder Perkins would work good

4BT3.3 might work better than a 3.9 too

da-burb · 09-20-2005, 11:22 PM

Any trips to MN planned? I have a 6.5 in a 1996 GMC G30 van that I would pull nicely for $500. All electrical connections would be saved. You could even have the underhood harness if you wanted. It is a mechanical diesel, non turbo. The only thing I couldn't save is the AC hoses, probably cut them to get it all apart.

Longhorn Man · 09-20-2005, 11:42 PM

the on ly thing worse than a 350 diesel ... is a 260 diesel.

**Bernie** · 09-21-2005, 08:45 PM

Thanks for the information plenty to think on.

**special-K** · 09-22-2005, 08:02 AM

I talked to a diesel mechanic that drove an Olds diesel.He swore the problem with those 350s was the oil pickup screen(plastic).It`s the same or similar to the gas ones.They get all clogged up from fungisides and starve the engine out of oil.He drops the pan and hacks them off and the ones he`s done are still running.They were a weak motor,nothing to brag about.But,a simple change coulda kept alot more running.I`ve seen 6.2s in Jeeps and Land Rovers.If staying with gas,I think a 292 would be awsome in a Jeep.V8s are cool,but everyone would think you had the 258 still in it if you used the 292,torky!

**Bernie** · 09-22-2005, 11:41 AM

Thanks for all of the information. da-burb let me give some thought to the 6.5. I know that CJs in Europe and Asia were available with diesel motors, either Isuzus or peugeots I think. 6 cylinder isuzus are used in GM trucks so maybe they would fit, via an adaptor, to a t18 transmission (?). A 6.2 or a 6.5 has, I think, the same mounts and bellhousing bolt pattern that a 350 has. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that. So from that point of view it would be an easy swap with readily available parts. (Putting a 350 in a CJ is apparently a well trodden path) The thing that concerns me is the weight, around 1000 pounds as against 450 for the 304 or the 350. No big deal to change the springs, but swapping out axles is more than I want to do and I wonder how it would steer with that weight in front. The Cummins swap has been done and it weighs 800 pounds or so, but even used Cummins are expensive, like $3000. If anyone else has any ideas or any experience of a swap like this I would be grateful to hear from them.

**special-K** · 09-22-2005, 02:24 PM

Correct,on the 6.2/6.5 bolts up same as gas V8s.

TP from Cntl PA · 09-22-2005, 03:05 PM

I bought my 6AT3.4 for $1200 I recall.............Yeah its older but man does it run, I "Coon-Tuned" the pump acouple weeks back and it took a awesome horse and made it even better.

Although the engine was alot heavier than the SBC, I don't notice any steering differences........I'd say with heavier spring packs you'll be good to go on the front end.

If you missed my post, check it out here. The mechanicals are done, just need to quit using it enough to finish the body work

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=170951

*FUNMUDDER* · 09-22-2005, 03:35 PM

huh.....my dad bought a bt3.9 long block for 100 bucks...............

**Bernie** · 09-22-2005, 08:15 PM

TP I did miss your post. Boy that looks good ! The more I see the harder it is to choose.

TP from Cntl PA · 09-22-2005, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernie

TP I did miss your post. Boy that looks good ! The more I see the harder it is to choose.

In the begining I thought I made a big mistake as I wasn't ever around the particular Cummins I used and I didn't know much about its characteristics, but I am beyond tickled pink with it, and it silenced ALL the critics once we took them out for a ride, AND let them drive it

67_C-30 · 09-22-2005, 11:51 PM

The Cummins swaps are cool, and I love the sound of the inline diesels However, the 6.2 or 6.5 swap would be much easier, and cheaper to do. I have ran 6.2's and 6.5TD's for years, and have had great service out of them as long as you don't get them too HOT (like 260+) They will blow a head gasket almost everytime, but a lot of other diesels do too it at that temp also. I just rebuilt and turbo'ed a 6.2L to put in my 67 C-30. I can't wait to it in there!!

09-19-2005, 09:29 PM	#1
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	Diesel Question This is off topic, but it relates to Chevy trucks. My truck is about finished so I'm looking to my next project. I got a 1978 CJ7 with a bad motor. I thought about putting a 350 in it rather than rebuilding the 304 that it presently has. Then I thought that it would be neat to put a diesel engine in it. I think that a 6.2 or a 6.5 chevy diesel would fit wherever a 350 would, but they are a lot heavier. I know that GM made 350 diesels up until about 1985. I have heard bad things said about these, but I know that they were put in our trucks. Does anybody have any information about these or any idea where to look for information ? Thanks Bernie __________________ Bernie

09-19-2005, 09:54 PM	#3
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,891	I think all gm diesels suck except the duramax!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!

09-19-2005, 11:27 PM	#4
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	yes, I looked at the Cummins. they make bellhousings too. a bit pricey. I thought that an Olds 350 might be cheaper. Anyone else got any thoughts ? __________________ Bernie

09-20-2005, 12:19 AM	#5
BobS Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: West Central Minnesota Posts: 568	The Olds 350 diesel is very different from the later 6.2 and 6.5 diesels that were designed by Detroit Diesel. The Olds is a modified gas engine that was never known for it's durability. I think a 6.2 with a mechanical injection pump would be a fairly straight-forward swap into a CJ-7 and it would definitely be something different! Bob __________________ V-6....only GMC Trucks have it! 62 GMC W5000 NAPCO-V6 65 GMC 2500 NAPCO Panel-V6 66 GMC 1000-V6 66 GMC 1500-V6 67 GMC K1500-SBC (originally a KM-V6) 68 GMC C1500-V6 68 GMC C1500-V6 68 GMC Suburban C2500 70 Chevy K20-SBC 71 Chevy C30 Longhorn-SBC 72 GMC Suburban C1500-BBC 72 Chevy C10-SBC 72 GMC C5500-ToroFlow Diesel

09-20-2005, 01:14 AM	#6
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	the olds 350 diesel was one on the biggest mistakes gm ever hence why they didnt stay in production very long. they basically blow apart. they took a gas engine and bumped the compression 10 points higher than it was designed for. i doubt you could even find one that was still intact. most went to the junk yard with a rod hanging out of the block or the heads blown clean off of it. they are certainly not the staple of reliability by any means. my advice is to pick another candidate. the 304's are a good motor. i built one for my brothers cj7 and it runs like a raped ape. but the olds diesel is a very very very bad idea __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

09-19-2005, 09:53 PM	#2
FUNMUDDER Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 427	I think they are a diesel olds 350, using the olds 350 gas engine block. Not positive, but pretty sure. If you want real power from a diesel that will be easy to swap in, get a 3.9 cummins 4bt. 275 ft.lbs for 240 cubes......any questions? Not only that, in a cj-7, if you get it geared up right, it will get amazing mileage and go pretty good. Just my insight. Jake P.S. the 4BT is the same engine they put in Dodge diesel truck, except with 2 cylinders cut off.......

09-20-2005, 01:28 AM	#7
ZOOMY Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: WIS Posts: 1,752	350 diesel I had an Olds Toronado with a 350 diesel in it. Great fuel mileage. Ran it 210K miles until I got rear-ended & totaled the car. It was a DOG on power though. You had to plan way ahead if you were going to TRY to pass another car. Most of them were junk. STAY AWAY FORM THEM IF YOU CAN EVEN FIND ONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

09-20-2005, 08:48 AM	#8
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	Thanks to all for the information. The Olds doesn't sound like a good idea. Maybe the project needs more thought. __________________ Bernie

09-20-2005, 10:23 AM	#9
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Bolt a 6.2 or 6.5 in that thing and you won`t regret it.I have a 6.5 that kicks (stock)duramax butt in a`92.I love droppin`jaws on those guys in their mortgage machines with my tried and true`92.You want to stay with the mechanically injected ones,`93 and earlier.The late92-93s are 6.5 turboed.Go to www.thedieselpage.comAny 6.5TD can be converted to MFI by installing the mechanical pump.(no computer) __________________ "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 ~ Last edited by special-K; 09-20-2005 at 10:25 AM.

09-20-2005, 01:53 PM	#12
FormerMember Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,051	Sorry, I should've qualified my statement. I was talking about the 6.2 and 6.5.

09-20-2005, 08:20 PM	#14
TP from Cntl PA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central PA....In the Berg of Nisbet Posts: 790	4 cylinder Perkins would work good 4BT3.3 might work better than a 3.9 too __________________ '72 K-20 EFI'ed 250 Inline/4spd stake body, Farm Truck '71 C-20 Cummins Diesel Powered, In storage thanks to $5.00 diesel! '69 3500 GMC 305V-6/4spd, Still under reconstruction.......... Inlines Rule! 6 soldiers standing is better than 8 laying down!!!!!!!!

09-20-2005, 11:22 PM	#15
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Any trips to MN planned? I have a 6.5 in a 1996 GMC G30 van that I would pull nicely for $500. All electrical connections would be saved. You could even have the underhood harness if you wanted. It is a mechanical diesel, non turbo. The only thing I couldn't save is the AC hoses, probably cut them to get it all apart. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

09-20-2005, 11:42 PM	#16
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	the on ly thing worse than a 350 diesel ... is a 260 diesel.

09-21-2005, 08:45 PM	#17
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	Thanks for the information plenty to think on. __________________ Bernie

09-22-2005, 08:02 AM	#18
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	I talked to a diesel mechanic that drove an Olds diesel.He swore the problem with those 350s was the oil pickup screen(plastic).It`s the same or similar to the gas ones.They get all clogged up from fungisides and starve the engine out of oil.He drops the pan and hacks them off and the ones he`s done are still running.They were a weak motor,nothing to brag about.But,a simple change coulda kept alot more running.I`ve seen 6.2s in Jeeps and Land Rovers.If staying with gas,I think a 292 would be awsome in a Jeep.V8s are cool,but everyone would think you had the 258 still in it if you used the 292,torky! __________________ "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 ~



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09-22-2005, 11:41 AM	#19
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	Thanks for all of the information. da-burb let me give some thought to the 6.5. I know that CJs in Europe and Asia were available with diesel motors, either Isuzus or peugeots I think. 6 cylinder isuzus are used in GM trucks so maybe they would fit, via an adaptor, to a t18 transmission (?). A 6.2 or a 6.5 has, I think, the same mounts and bellhousing bolt pattern that a 350 has. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that. So from that point of view it would be an easy swap with readily available parts. (Putting a 350 in a CJ is apparently a well trodden path) The thing that concerns me is the weight, around 1000 pounds as against 450 for the 304 or the 350. No big deal to change the springs, but swapping out axles is more than I want to do and I wonder how it would steer with that weight in front. The Cummins swap has been done and it weighs 800 pounds or so, but even used Cummins are expensive, like $3000. If anyone else has any ideas or any experience of a swap like this I would be grateful to hear from them. __________________ Bernie

09-22-2005, 02:24 PM	#20
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,858	Correct,on the 6.2/6.5 bolts up same as gas V8s. __________________ "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 ~

09-22-2005, 03:05 PM	#21
TP from Cntl PA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central PA....In the Berg of Nisbet Posts: 790	I bought my 6AT3.4 for $1200 I recall.............Yeah its older but man does it run, I "Coon-Tuned" the pump acouple weeks back and it took a awesome horse and made it even better. Although the engine was alot heavier than the SBC, I don't notice any steering differences........I'd say with heavier spring packs you'll be good to go on the front end. If you missed my post, check it out here. The mechanicals are done, just need to quit using it enough to finish the body work http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=170951 __________________ '72 K-20 EFI'ed 250 Inline/4spd stake body, Farm Truck '71 C-20 Cummins Diesel Powered, In storage thanks to $5.00 diesel! '69 3500 GMC 305V-6/4spd, Still under reconstruction.......... Inlines Rule! 6 soldiers standing is better than 8 laying down!!!!!!!!

09-22-2005, 03:35 PM	#22
FUNMUDDER Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 427	huh.....my dad bought a bt3.9 long block for 100 bucks...............

09-22-2005, 08:15 PM	#23
Bernie Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 516	TP I did miss your post. Boy that looks good ! The more I see the harder it is to choose. __________________ Bernie

09-22-2005, 11:51 PM	#25
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	The Cummins swaps are cool, and I love the sound of the inline diesels However, the 6.2 or 6.5 swap would be much easier, and cheaper to do. I have ran 6.2's and 6.5TD's for years, and have had great service out of them as long as you don't get them too HOT (like 260+) They will blow a head gasket almost everytime, but a lot of other diesels do too it at that temp also. I just rebuilt and turbo'ed a 6.2L to put in my 67 C-30. I can't wait to it in there!! __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club!

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