jimoshel Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Got a chance to pick up a low mileage, complete running 1980 Olds diesel. Just thinking it maybe too much engine for a MJ. Any opinions or thoughts on the matter? I really want to do a diesel swap but I want it to be practical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnj92131 Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 You do not want that engine. I had an 81 Chevy Impala wagon in 82 to 85. Slow but ran fine on the highway, 27 mpg if I remember right. But the head bolts were a problem, the injection pump was a problem. I blew two heads 6 weeks apart. one on the left side, then the one on the right side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted August 12, 2013 Author Share Posted August 12, 2013 Been reading up on it. Apparently they didn't use enough headbolts. Using a set Of ARP head bolts and heavy duty gaskets solved that. They didn't have a fuel-water separator in them..Most of the problems can be solved with the use of after market goodies. I think I,m going to pass on it just because of the weight. Close to 900lbs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 It's still polishing a turd. I'd much rather do the Benz turbo OM617 diesel. Around 500 lbs, plentiful, been done many times, aftermarket support, and good to go 500K+ miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted August 12, 2013 Author Share Posted August 12, 2013 Hey Don. Got one laying around? Been looking for a MB for the last 6 months. Ain't one around. All the welfare folks here drive Caddys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpace6a Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 ^Didnt you post about a 350 Olds diesel a month or two back? Something about a neighbor was selling a car for dirt, and you ended up scrapping the whole thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted August 12, 2013 Share Posted August 12, 2013 Wish I did. How far away are you from Alamogordo? Delivery too! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-300TD-Turbo-Diesel-Engine-and-Transmission-W123-/321182258547?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac7f45573&vxp=mtr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 If that was closer I'd jump on it. 520 miles, Pueblo to Alamogordo. The bid is $550, reserve not met. ^Didnt you post about a 350 Olds diesel a month or two back? Something about a neighbor was selling a car for dirt, and you ended up scrapping the whole thing? Yep. It was scrap and that's what I did with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellaheep Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 I gotta think that the width of those Olds diesels in itself would make that swap nearly impossible...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrawombat Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Should be roughly the same size as a gasser 350, which has been a pretty common swap in the MJ/XJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 So many of those cars got converted to gas engines as the engine is dimensionally the same as a 260, 307, 330, 350 or 403 Olds while using the same mounting locations and patterns.... and the diesel really sucked. Last time I checked a rebuilt starter for one was like $150 versus $22 for a gasser. In the early 80's I bought several cheap Olds cars and pulled the small-block Olds motors to sell them to a local machine shop that also specialized in de-dieseling the Oldsmobiles and Chevy trucks that came with that diesel. With crappy reliability and 105 hp/205 ft/tq it was nobody's favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azdiesel Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 Those GM diesels were a pice of garbage!! Consider a mid to late 80s MB five cylinder turbo diesel. Parts are available engines are available and reliable with plenty of power. There is a jeep on craigs list in San Diago with MB diesel for sale if interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted August 13, 2013 Author Share Posted August 13, 2013 I don't mind doing a little traveling but let's get real. San Diego? Wonder if he would deliver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 Maybe it would fit in one of them flat rate boxes at the postal office? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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