converting to diesel....

[89IROC&RS]

simply an exersize in theory at this point. but thought id see what everyones input would be on converting a SBC into a diesel.

i was toying with weather or not the components of the SBC would be strong enough. obviously forged pistons would be needed, domed pistons instead of the optimal dished pistons, more likely than not aftermarket connecting rods to handle the compression and ignition pressure spikes.

but do yall think the factory crankshaft could handle it? or would a forged aftermarket one be required?

probly a 400 sbc would be the best bet for being strong enough, with the larger journals.

also i cant decide the best way to power the injector pump, im debating if the distributor is strong enough. removing the cap and rotor and all ignition related parts, and using the shaft and gears to drive the pump. placing the injectors in the spark plug holes for direct injection,

kinda making a smaller, lighter weight version of the 6.2L diesel.

If it could be done, might be a profitable kit to manufacture. If you could make a bolt together swap with no required machining for 1/2 ton truck owners to convert their SBC into a diesel rig, for more torque, and better mileage, i think alot of guys would buy that.

[wrightz28]

I told you if you kept messing with that stuff, it would eventullay mess your head up.

Seing that a deisel runs some 22-24:1 compression, and ignites by way of this heat, I coudn't see any way a gasoline engine base could handle it.

[72chevelleOhio]

Leave that poor small block alone!
What did it do to you to deserve to be blown up on purpose?

Without really going into the engineering aspect of it. 2010 emissions have some diesel manufacturers coming out with totally new engines.....they can't cost effectively retrofit the old ones into passing the new emissions, and their engines were already a diesel.

I know you could do it, it wouldn't last long and it would be just a toy. GM did it with the 350 Olds, and couldn't keep heads or head gaskets on it. I heard of them scattering at 30k and lasting as long as 70k without problems.

[Morley]

No way the 400 block could handle that. It has siamesed cylinders, thinner walls....not enough "meat" in the block. There was a "kit" years ago (20+) for converting the Olds 350, it had special heads and cooling system components and was pricey. Haven't heard about that kit in many a year. But I do know that they didn't run very well and was basically a way to throw away money.

[89IROC&RS]

yeah yeah point taken. i was just being curious and having a random tangent of thought.

although i never knew the 400 had siamesed bores.... learn somethin new everyday.... and here i claim to be a small block guy

[72chevelleOhio]

Originally Posted by Morley

Haven't heard about that kit in many a year. .

I haven't heard that saying in..................

[89IROC&RS]

eh, the 6.2L diesel is a no brainer swap anyway, and cheap to get. i saw a really cool one in the netherlands, a guy put a 6.5L TD in a mid 70's nova. tons of torque. i think it would be pretty cool to do the turbo diesel swap into an old lincoln continental with the suicide rear doors, or a 65 chevelle, it shouldnt be hard to get 250hp and 500ft lbs of torque out of one of these mills. throw a 4L80E tranny behind it, ive got a rear axle with 2.77 gears (9 bolt, so no, i didnt mean 2.73) with 24in tires, i will be right around the 1800rpm sweet spot for the mileage on one of these engines. with a 3200-3600lbs car, low to the ground, i dont see why i couldnt get 30+ mpg out of it. My 5200lbs blazer on 33in mud tires, and no overdrive gets 21mpg.... without a turbo.

and i could run both my car and truck on biodiesel

[Morley]

Originally Posted by 89IROC&RS

and i could run both my car and truck on biodiesel

And smell like Ronald McDonald

[2.2 Straight six]

Originally Posted by 89IROC&RS

eh, the 6.2L diesel is a no brainer swap anyway, and cheap to get. i saw a really cool one in the netherlands, a guy put a 6.5L TD in a mid 70's nova. tons of torque. i think it would be pretty cool to do the turbo diesel swap into an old lincoln continental with the suicide rear doors, or a 65 chevelle, it shouldnt be hard to get 250hp and 500ft lbs of torque out of one of these mills. throw a 4L80E tranny behind it, ive got a rear axle with 2.77 gears (9 bolt, so no, i didnt mean 2.73) with 24in tires, i will be right around the 1800rpm sweet spot for the mileage on one of these engines. with a 3200-3600lbs car, low to the ground, i dont see why i couldnt get 30+ mpg out of it. My 5200lbs blazer on 33in mud tires, and no overdrive gets 21mpg.... without a turbo.

and i could run both my car and truck on biodiesel

don't forget that those big diesels weigh in at over 1,000lb.

[72chevelleOhio]

Originally Posted by 2.2 Straight six

don't forget that those big diesels weigh in at over 1,000lb.

Your metric conversion is off.....shipping weight of a 6.2 long block is 655 lbs and shipping weight of a 6.5 long block is 644 lbs.
http://www.65ldiesel.com/catalog/item/26238/460637.htm
I imagine that weight would include a pallet or shipping crate for shipping cost estimates....
I suppose if you added an intake, exhaust manifold, turbo and one of your girlfriends it could be over 1000 lbs...

Originally Posted by 89IROC&RS

or a 65 chevelle

You must have fat fingered 66 and it came out 65.....

[89IROC&RS]

yeah, the 6.2L/6.5LTD are accepted to weigh about as much as a big block. they are very easy swaps into any vehicle originally equipped with a small block. Im just looking at the 65 chevelle because they had a big block option, so it would be easy to set up the suspension to handle the weight.

and 72chevelleohio, why do you think i meant to say 66????? 66 wasnt the first year of the chevelle....... 64 was actually, but 65 was the first year for the big block chevelle, the Z16, with the 375hp 396cid. i like the looks and size of the 65 over the 66. and i cant fat finger the keys...... ive actually got little lemur hands. awesome for changing the mythical #8 spark plugs on LT1 cars

[72chevelleOhio]

Originally Posted by 89IROC&RS

and 72chevelleohio, why do you think i meant to say 66????? 66 wasnt the first year of the chevelle....... 64 was actually, i like the looks and size of the 65 over the 66.

I kinda sorta know a little about Chevelles.....

I was actually refering to you wanting a '65 over a '66....eh, to each his own. That means more cooler looking '66's will be left for me.....

[2.2 Straight six]

Originally Posted by 72chevelleOhio

Your metric conversion is off.....shipping weight of a 6.2 long block is 655 lbs and shipping weight of a 6.5 long block is 644 lbs.
http://www.65ldiesel.com/catalog/item/26238/460637.htm
I imagine that weight would include a pallet or shipping crate for shipping cost estimates....
I suppose if you added an intake, exhaust manifold, turbo and one of your girlfriends it could be over 1000 lbs...

i was reading somewhere that a DuraMax with all anciallaries and in a ready-to-run state weighed in at over 1,000lb. maybe it was another engine. either way, pretty heavy.

[72chevelleOhio]

Originally Posted by 2.2 Straight six

i was reading somewhere that a DuraMax with all anciallaries and in a ready-to-run state weighed in at over 1,000lb. maybe it was another engine. either way, pretty heavy.

Yeah, the Dirtymax is a lot heavier. The pick-up version is around 860 lbs I think. The bigger inline (7800?) version in the medium duty trucks is the one that weights around 1100 lbs.

[2.2 Straight six]

Originally Posted by 72chevelleOhio

Yeah, the Dirtymax is a lot heavier. The pick-up version is around 860 lbs I think. The bigger inline (7800?) version in the medium duty trucks is the one that weights around 1100 lbs.

PowerStroke FTW.