I'm getting ticked at gas prices, plus realize that a Diesel 4x4 is more practical for me.

So I'm thinking of doing a conversion on my Blazer

I'm hoping on hearing some input, and would really like to hear from anyone that's done the job.

I did 1 on a Toyota pickup years ago, but I had an identical parts truck

I've been doing some web searches and found that someone has done a 5.7L conversion on a S10 (sounds like a 2wd)
http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.autos.4x4/browse_thread/thread/6c33b78ab8229f6/ca6b205a3186ce4f%23ca6b205a3186ce4f

And I also found this, using a mercedes motor
http://4x4labs.com/diesel.html

It's probably easier for me to get the mercedes engine, but we all know that when something goes wrong with them it's expensive.

What are all your opinions on this?


Edit, Check out some of the products, and fabrications on the Mercedes page, they do nice work (at a pricy cost)

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60501&highlight=duramax
Maybe Captain Stu?

Thanks Shawn, that looks like 1 incredable that he's doing there. A little more than I care to do, and more power than I really need

I'd be happy with the power and reliability of a non turbo Cummings. I would have never dreamed that they'd fit though, being an in-line 6

It would probably be a pretty easy swap if you could find one of the old diesel engines that came in some of the mid-80's S10s and Blazers.

That is something that I was (and still am looking at)

I have found an Isuzu transmission and t-case. But they aren't for sale until they guy sells his Diesel pickup (and I don't care to pay $5500 for everything)
I can't say that it's easy finding a motor for the rig.

I did however find a Mercedes 300d motor and transmission in Vancouver, or even a complete car for 700, or 1000. The guy would probably take 1200 or so for everything.

I'm keeping up the search and hoping on finding something Chevy powered for the swap.

I'm really hoping that I'll be doing a bigger than normal how to during the summer :smile:

I'm getting ticked at gas prices, plus realize that a Diesel 4x4 is more practical for me.

So I'm thinking of doing a conversion on my Blazer

I'm hoping on hearing some input, and would really like to hear from anyone that's done the job.

I did 1 on a Toyota pickup years ago, but I had an identical parts truck

I've been doing some web searches and found that someone has done a 5.7L conversion on a S10 (sounds like a 2wd)
http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.autos.4x4/browse_thread/thread/6c33b78ab8229f6/ca6b205a3186ce4f%23ca6b205a3186ce4f

And I also found this, using a mercedes motor
http://4x4labs.com/diesel.html

It's probably easier for me to get the mercedes engine, but we all know that when something goes wrong with them it's expensive.

What are all your opinions on this?


Edit, Check out some of the products, and fabrications on the Mercedes page, they do nice work (at a pricy cost)


You might want to check and keep a eye on diesel fuel prices.
If they get any higher I am thinking about a whitelighting/moonshine converson.
We have a new ethonal plant close by where I might get some cheap corn mash. :grinyes: :lol: :rofl:
MT

There trying to build one a half hour up the road from my house.

I believe indy cars are going to run ethanol this year and nascar is looking at it but they want to run it under moonshine to honor the past. Can we really blame them for that? It was the moonshiners that started it so its only fitting that they do.

Lol Dukes of hazzard season 1 or 2 1 i think they lol ran moonshine in the gas tank in i think a car uncle jesse was driving.

Anywho cant be too hard to do lol.

I can run diesle on used vegi oil, and there's lotsof that stuff where I'll be living, plus I've got a farm card lock card.... hint hint hint

do not get hint hint haha
lol veggie oil rocks wewill know u by the smell of french fry exhaust
trying to tire myself out so i can fall asleep and get up for work at 6.30

that hint hint hint was I can also get farm gas which is about $0.70 less a gallor of so :evillol:

only legal farm use, but they only check things like Dodge 1 ton's with tidy tanks in the back :evillol:

hint hint taken

You might want to check and keep a eye on diesel fuel prices.
If they get any higher I am thinking about a whitelighting/moonshine converson.
We have a new ethonal plant close by where I might get some cheap corn mash. :grinyes: :lol: :rofl:
MT

What would it take to do this? They are building a plant in the next town and this may be a good option it the near future.

With fuel injected that's a very good question, which I don't know the answer to. It might be nothing needed doing, since the engines should be able to monitor the system and compensate.

With carburation it's basicly a jetting change. They usually run bigger carbs with carbs as well although I don't have their calculations.


One thing with Alcohol fuel is it absorbs water so you might have problems if you live in a wet enviroment. You can expect your fuel system to rust very quickly then.
You can't just add gas line antifreeve, since again it's just alcohol and will absorb more water

What would it take to do this? They are building a plant in the next town and this may be a good option it the near future.

That is a good question .
On a fuel injection engine the computer has a lot to do with it.
On the flex fuel engines they have a fuel pressure sensor that moniters the fuel pressure and maybe the tempture real close.
They may also have better injectors and fuel rails and lines to take the flex fuel or ethanol/alcohol mix.
I suspect that the fuel pressure sensor is one way the computer knows what fuel is being used in it.
When crysler first came out with the flex fuel engine they had some engine problems and you had to use synthetic oil in them for some reason.
Something about the flex fuel lower lubercation in the cylinders or leaked into the crankcase. Not sure which.
That may be one thing to watch out for on a carb engine.
If a person works at it he should be able to change one over or just pickup one that is already setup for flex fuel and feed it a little monshine and see how it does. :grinyes: :lol: :rofl:
Cry has a lot of used flexfuel vans that are going cheap at the auction.
Good Luck MT

WHy not a 6.2L diesel out of an old suburban. Pretty sure itll fit if a 350 can fit in an S10 and a 454 can fit with some modification this 6.2L diesel should as well

That's one of the vehicles that I'm looking for.
Although I know that Chevy had problems with their diesels and I don't know what they were.

The thing that I like about a smaller motor is I won't have to change the rear differential for a while. I'm afraid that the torque from a big diesel might brake it, although I just don't know

Well I just got a letter back from the company making the conversion kits, using the Mercedes powerplant. And I'm confident that I'll be doing that conversion this year

Here's what they say

We're still working on the adapters. I'll put
you on our diesel info list and let you know
whats going on with that when we get closer.
We're thinking it will be around a grand for all
the stuff you'll need.
solid axle swaps are a good thing for most rides
that are older and wearing out. it's almost
cheaper to go that way than repair a bunch of
ball joint junk thats weak anyway.


I'll be moving off Vancouver Island 1 week from today, and take a look at that used motor during my move.... Too bad that it isn't turbo, but it is low mileage.

Now I need to start looking for a standard transmission, and clutch assembly from a full sized.


Oh I asked them on their solid axle conversions as well, but since I'm getting too old and beat up for any serious off roading I probably won't go through with one. Just a 3" body lift, and a 2" suspension lift sometime in the next 2 years.

edit" I was going through around $400.00 per month to run the Blazer, and I'm using less than $100.oo per month driving further in my car. So the conversion is worth it, and should pay for it's self in less than a year. I know that I won't get the 57 mpg that I am with my car, but I should get close to 40 after the conversion"
Check out their differentials
http://4x4labs.com/images/raw-burf-md.jpg
http://4x4labs.com/images/rear_axle_tube_protection_1_md.jpg
and bumpers
http://4x4labs.com/images/80/4x4Labs_bumper_022.jpg

I found my soon to be new parts vehicle.

I just found a well maintained 85 3/4 ton, with a 6.2L diesel that runs great.
Although the transmission has to go in the shop (no reverse, even though it was recently re-built) I'm friends with everyone that's ever maintained it as well.

He wants $1000 for it which I think is too much but I'll pay it if I have to. I'm offering him $800 early next week when I'm back from the island.

There aren't any others available locally. I really wouldn't mind the power of a turbo charged version, but I'm sure that it'll still have more power than the 2.8L

If the weather clears here soon I'll be getting to work and make a photo journal of this project.