350 Olds Diesel

[jimoshel]

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.

[johnj92131]

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.

[jimoshel]

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.

[HOrnbrod]

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. 

[jimoshel]

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.

[mpace6a]

^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?

[HOrnbrod]

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

[jimoshel]

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.

[yellaheep]

I gotta think that the width of those Olds diesels in itself would make that swap nearly impossible......

[terrawombat]

Should be roughly the same size as a gasser 350, which has been a pretty common swap in the MJ/XJ.

[Incommando]

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. 

[azdiesel]

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.

[jimoshel]

I don't mind doing a little traveling but let's get real. San Diego? Wonder if he would deliver.

[Incommando]

Maybe it would fit in one of them flat rate boxes at the postal office?