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Any one think of swapping a olds 5.7 diesel into a luv. There is a cheap luv near me with the factory automatic. Not in too bad shape. The bed floor has some holes in the floor behind the wheel tubs... It should get great fuel mileage and have more than enough power for a long distance daily driver.

Thoughts?

richard

sounds like an interesting swap and should be fun to drive once the conversion done.. good luck

oh yeah... welcome to the site

There are also 2 diesel v6's. One uses the olds belhousing the other uses the 2.8 chev one. I need to check on the dimensions.

thanks for the welcome....

If you are speaking of the failed Olds 5.7L V8 diesel of the late '70s, I would highly recomend you to NOT do the swap, the engine is a piece of crap and not worth your time or money, for the cash you could put in a built V6 that would give you about the same power and fuel milage, and it would weight a good 200lbs less than the 5.7. just my opinion, oh and welcome to the site, sorry for bashing your ideas so quick

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'80 Luv 4x4, 3" BL, 1.5" SL, 32/36, 2.25" exhaust...and fuzzy dice.
'95 Toyota 4Runner Limited 5-Speed.

rezkid.. what's wrong with the 5.7L diesel? Give up the info...

No problem rezkid. I have worked on lots of diesels. They all have qurks.

GM did come out with the engine too soon, and didn't have all the kinks worked out.

1. Replace all the head bolts when you do heads.
2. Don't over heat the engine.
3. The injection pump had problems that were worked out by the end of use.
4. Lots of people didn't do regular maintaince, oil changes, and such.

The 4.3l V6 diesel may be a better fit.. I just need to get my hands on some. The 4.3 would get around 40 mpg in a Pontiac 6000.

I guess if you know what your doing then it would be all right, t's just that I'v heard that those engines aren't all that great. I didn't even know that GM made a V6 diesel!!!! man that sure is an odd one. well what ever sorry for bashing on ya, no harm intended. BTW my personal with GM diesels hasn't been all that great, my parents own a '87 Suburban w/ the 6.2 diesel, and I think its a piece of crap, oily as heck and a pain in the butt to work on. just MO

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'80 Luv 4x4, 3" BL, 1.5" SL, 32/36, 2.25" exhaust...and fuzzy dice.
'95 Toyota 4Runner Limited 5-Speed.

They made the 4.3l in FWD and RWD versions. Best years are the last years, 83-85 for all of them. I don't have any experance with the 6.2-6.5 Engines, but I hear it is a love it or hate it thing. Plus they are bigger and heavier from what I hear.

If this looks like too big a deal, I could always go with a VW 1.9l TDI. I have had 2 cars with these engines and even in the larger 97 Passat it had more than enough power to pull(flat tow) my 85 Scirocco autocross car that weighs 2200 lbs. But look out if you needed to stop quict while pulling it...

Richard

Just got this info from a friend.

the Olds 4.3 V6 , 263 cubes is basically a 5.7 V8 (350 ) with 2 cyls cut off. The bore and stroke is the same for both diesels , 4.057 x 3.385. The 4.3 is approx 23" from end of the serp. crank pulley to the end of the block that mates to the trans, the 5.7 is approx 29 " .

So how much room does a chevy v8 or v6 take?

wasn't there also a 4.3 BOP V8, both in gas and diesel?]

i don't think i've ever heard anything good about the old 350 diesel. i'd steer clear of that one if possible.

The did make a 4.3l V8 diesel in 79-80 modesl. 260 cu.in it is the same basic engine as the 350 olds diesel, just smaller. I worked at a Ponitac-GMC dealer as a mechanic durning that time. They put out the Diesel too soon. Most problems were fixed by the end of production., but the damage was already done.

If you overheat the engine you are f#$ked. Most engines are like that anyway... I am not trying to convince anyone to use one. Just looking at options with todays high and rising fuel costs.

Engines cost should be cheap. and rebuild costs will be higher than a chevy v8, but almost all other v8 are higher in cost too

I need to chat with the Diesel boys and see how they are... My old 79 4x4 love was a great little truck execpt for the POS engine.

Richard

Richard, I would have to disagree going with the 350 diesel mainly because of the non-reliable history and because of the size in a LUV. But also I couldn't agree with you more on dropping in a 4.3 V6 diesel. I think that GM diesel engine has a much better reputation and is probably a perfect size for a V-pattern engine in any LUV. I know the 4.3 V6 diesel is rare and I wish I could see one in person and hear it run, as I have never done either. One would probably sound sweet if you were to put dual exhaust on it and upgrade the horsepower a little. Let me know if you end up putting a V6 diesel into a LUV, I wouldn't mind following your progress.

Salvy