I do pull one of several trailers I own occasionally, but seldomneed the extra power of a diesel as my largest trailer is maxed out at 3200pounds and the small camper only occasionally gets pulled over the BlueridgeMountains. Mostly I was hoping for a significanteveryday gain in fuel mileage by switching over to diesel. However, if I can only expect to gain 3-5 MPGincrease from my current 13 MPG, it does not sound like as huge a savings as Ithought. I was hoping it would at leastdouble. I am not sentimental over theold truck, but here in NC it has the advantage of not having to go through emissionstesting anymore due to its age. I reallylike that. I just thought since I’llprobably have to rebuild or replace the engine in a few more years that withthe current gas prices, diesel would be an advantage to look into. I’ve rebuilt and/or swapped 4 engines beforeand have most of the tools I’d need to do another one. I just did some rough calculations taking inthe difference in price between diesel fuel and regular gas and came up withabout a $360 savings per 10,000 miles. Ithink I just talked myself out of a diesel engine change. I think it would be better to just get adiesel pickup or SUV some day when I get another vehicle. Thanks for all your info.
rebuild 350V8 or convert to diesel?
I have a 1993 K1500 Suburban with a high mileage (220,000) 350V8. The old truck is in great condition for itsage, but I realistically expect to swap or rebuild this engine in a few years;nothing lasts forever, but with the 13mpg mileage I get now with the gas engine,I was considering installing/converting to a diesel engine instead. I know this will be more work and moreexpense to convert over, but was wondering if improved fuel economy would beworth the trouble? Any suggestions as towhat engine (and or transmission) I need to be on the look-out for to make theswap as pain free as possible when the time comes? Or should I just trade for a good used dieselpickup or SUV?
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Can the 350 gasoline V8 be rebuild into a 350 Diesel by replacing the heads, pistons and intake or does the block need to be different/stronger also to make a diesel engine?
Thanks for all the ideas.
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