I had a friend at work that had one; he was a very detail-oriented engineer and
very
picky about taking care of things by the book. He had a terrible time with his
diesel.
Everything I've heard/read about those engines has been consistent with his
experience...that they are junk and to be avoided. GM missed it on that one.
As to diesels in general applied to TF or AD trucks, I'd love to know what
would fit and
with what modifications and if anyone has ever done this.
Mark Noakes
On Sun, 26 Jan 2003, GremlinGTs@aol.com wrote:
>
> Ok, to make it <barely> relevant to the List ; has anyone ever put a
> diesel motor in their old classic truck ? :D Ok, that said, the wife needs a
> full-sized van, and found out about an '83 Chevy van that has the 350 diesel
> motor in it. I've gone to a few websites on Chevy diesel engines, and know
> that this era ( '78 up to '85 ) was prone to blowing head gaskets, rusting
> injector pumps, etc. Has anyone on the list owned one, and have good/bad
> things to say? One of the diesel Forums had a running Thread about how
> they're junk, whereas the truly "diesel" guys who've driven both big and
> small trucks with them, said alot of times it's how the engine is taken care
> of ( MUCH more frequent oil changes at 1,500 miles, gas treatment to prevent
> wax buildup in cold, ignition timing CRITICAL, etc. ), so there seems to be
> good and bad about opinions. I'm not sure I want a diesel, especially if it's
> going to sit alot without use, and require more "attention" to detail ( I'm
> NOT detail-oriented, BTW ). So I want opinions on the Chevy 350 diesel
> itself, especially from the early 80's era, if anyone has relevant info on
> them as far as operation in cold ( I'm in northern Virginia, not North
> Dakota, LOL ), cost of frequent oil changes and other necessities, etc, vs.
> savings in fuel costs, no tuneups, etc. Thanks to any and all replies both
> for and againest. AMC ya,
>
> Jerry
> '55 Chevy TF Suburban project
> '78, 74, 72 Gremlins
> oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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