Gasoline to Diesel Swap

[scottadams14]

I hope this is the right place to post this. I had the idea to try and buy a local D 50 turbo diesel in my area and swap engines with my gasoline engine. Is this a crazy idea? What all needs to be swapped? i'm thinking engine, maybe transmission, fuel lines and tank. maybe some electrical and the exhaust. Heres the ad for the truck. Any info would be awesome! https://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/4813696?ad_cid=22

[geezer101]

I hope this is the right place to post this. I had the idea to try and buy a local D 50 turbo diesel in my area and swap engines with my gasoline engine. Is this a crazy idea?

Yes... it is a crazy idea. Just as well we specialise in crazy - http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin/showthread.php/5529-Wallace-II-Gas-to-Diesel-Swap?highlight=wallace

:P

[scottadams14]

I guess my next question would be then is it necessary to swap transmissions? Also, are the mounts the same for the 2.0 and 2.6 gas engines? Because in the thread he removes a 2.0.

[dancinggecko]

Mitsubishi was very good about a one part for all models design. The 2.3 diesel, 2.6, and 2.4 gas engines all use the same motor mounts for instance, I would assume the 2.0 would also. Do you currently have a 2.0 or a 2.6?

[scottadams14]

I have the 2.6. I guess what I'm most hesitant about is whether or not I could use the trans in my truck now or if I would have to use the diesel trans. And if I had to use the diesel trans if I could swap bellhousings and keep the original cable clutch and not have to figure out how to mount the hydraulic clutch.

[dancinggecko]

The 2.6 trans would work, really they are identical except for the hydraulic clutch, you should have no problem running it.

[dancinggecko]

The 2.6 trans would work, really they are identical except for the hydraulic clutch, you should have no problem running it.

[Uncle Spence]

The 2.6 trans would work, really they are identical except for the hydraulic clutch, you should have no problem running it.
What the dancinggecko said... twice. That was actually one of the drawbacks for my swap, but it really didn't turn out to be too big of a hassle. I got to get everything out and sold the transmission to a starion guy.
You need to transfer the fuel filter over, but can reuse the hard fuel lines and the fuel tank. If I had to do it again, and didn't decide to rebuild the engine along the way, the job could be done in less than 20 hours of labor.
If you make the lung and buy that truck, and have questions along the way let me know.
The price on that ksl truck isn't bad, but it would be nice if you could get compression measurements on the diesel engine to see what kind of health it's in.
Good luck!

[scottadams14]

Thanks for the reply Uncle Spence. I read your build thread and it didn't seem to bad. I might have the diesel rebuilt depending on the compression readings. What would be good numbers to see? I know basically nothing about diesels except that my friends tell me that they go really well with 4x4.

[dancinggecko]

According to the 1983 factory service manual the nominal compression is 384 PSI at 250 RPM. Check the manuals section, I'm sure there is a diesel manual in there somewhere.

[Uncle Spence]

A motor swap I agree is not too bad. Rebuilding an engine with difficult to find parts is the real challenge.