Diesel Eagle conversion

[eaglefreek]

Rich, since you have experience with these engines, what would your guesstimate be on MPG with a swap into a wagon? What MPG do the Mercees wagons yield?

[rollguy]

Rich, since you have experience with these engines, what would your guesstimate be on MPG with a swap into a wagon? What MPG do the Mercees wagons yield?

The average mileage for these engines in the different chassis (wagon, sedan, coupe etc) is around 26 MPG.  Some get upwards of 30 on a good day, others 22 on a bad day.  Very rarely do they get LESS than 22 MPG.  The bigger cars (300SD- 116 & 126 chassis) actually get better mileage than the smaller "boxy" cars (sedan and wagon), because they are more aerodynamic.  When I was computing the MPG on my cars, I was getting an average of 24 MPG using Biofuel.  Higher MPG can be had with pump Diesel than with Biofuel, but for me the cost for the fuel was/is so close to free, that it does not matter the MPG.   Years ago the whole idea for getting the '80 Turbodiesel Eagle was to run it on Biofuel, and travel to car shows with the car.  After finding out the rarity of that vehicle, I decided to "practice" the Biofuel concept on a much less valuable vehicle.  That is what started the whole 'Benz thing for me.  I have now owned more 'Benzs than Eagles (26-Benz, 20 Eagles)....Rich

[BenM]

I've seen several posts on Cherokees with a VW/Audi TDI in it.

I think there are several others out there as well. The 1.9 can make 150hp with stock European parts, but U.S. units were limited to 98hp due to emissions regulations. It'll go even further with aftermarket parts. I've wanted to put one in a Kammback or Gremlin for years.

I could swear someone was manufacturing an adapter to mate them to AMC pattern transmissions, but I can't find it right now.

[eaglefreek]

http://www.cotybuilt.com/hardware.html

[carnuck]

They extended the body to fit the motor. Good frickin' lord. I'll stick with my SD33T diesel conversion. It is the same size as an AMC 258 and the same basic specs. It would fit without all that fuss.

Anyone seen diesel motors converted to propane or natural gas? I'd really like to use the robust, high compression block with propane or gas. That would actually start without a cloud of smoke, ten minutes of glowplug time, and ten minutes of warm up time. Diesel is aggravating.

I converted Olds diesel V8s and V6s to natural gas and LPG but it's not for the feint of heart or wallet! You need to machine spark plug holes so they don't blow out! Head gaskets are custom and you can't go over 14:1 with LPG or 17:1 for Nat Gas (unless mixed with diesel). Running CNG injected with diesel acts like NOs for non-turbo motors.

[carnuck]

I've seen several posts on Cherokees with a VW/Audi TDI in it.

I think there are several others out there as well. The 1.9 can make 150hp with stock European parts, but U.S. units were limited to 98hp due to emissions regulations. It'll go even further with aftermarket parts. I've wanted to put one in a Kammback or Gremlin for years.

I could swear someone was manufacturing an adapter to mate them to AMC pattern transmissions, but I can't find it right now.

The VW motor could probably also be put in with a Postal Jeep trans off the Audi 2.0L powered Jeep DJ5-Gs if it has the dual pattern on the block or the raised pads where the bolt holes could be drilled (if 2 original holes line up, the rest are easy) The trans would need a few mods for diesel. I can't recall which starter they used but it may need upgrading. The torque converter stall speed needs to be lowered.
   The 5 cyl Audi diesel might even be better but you REALLY need to keep the motor cool!

Another option is a Toyota 2LT motor which came with a version of the AW4 or AX-15 behind it. A company in Florida sells the cutouts (complete drivetrain with mounts) on Ebay. 2LTE has a computer 3L and 5L don't (interchangeable) There are Isuzu motors as well (as used in Chevy Luvs) Just be careful about the motor weight. 4BT is WAAAAY too heavy for the front of the Eagle. With 3 inch lift coils, it would still be nearly dragging on the road.

[BenM]

http://www.cotybuilt.com/hardware.html

Wow, I didn't know it had gotten that far. Now I just need to save up some money for a new car!

[captspillane]

They extended the body to fit the motor. Good frickin' lord. I'll stick with my SD33T diesel conversion. It is the same size as an AMC 258 and the same basic specs. It would fit without all that fuss.

Anyone seen diesel motors converted to propane or natural gas? I'd really like to use the robust, high compression block with propane or gas. That would actually start without a cloud of smoke, ten minutes of glowplug time, and ten minutes of warm up time. Diesel is aggravating.

I converted Olds diesel V8s and V6s to natural gas and LPG but it's not for the feint of heart or wallet! You need to machine spark plug holes so they don't blow out! Head gaskets are custom and you can't go over 14:1 with LPG or 17:1 for Nat Gas (unless mixed with diesel). Running CNG injected with diesel acts like NOs for non-turbo motors.

That's pretty frickin' cool, Carnuck.

[AMCLOVER258]

Whats the likely hood of this working in the eagle?! http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-71-Detroit-Diesel-Engine-/171534103376

[carnuck]

It weighs as much as 2 SX4s, so I'd say no. Had one in my '67 GMC ex-city bus I turned into a motor home. 12 mpg was the best it got, but I paid $1500 for it, lived in it for three years. When I got bored, I'd turn the key and go. I was a single dad at the time with an ex wife that thought she was worth a kings ransom.

[eaglefreek]

Here's a 4-71 in a full size Chevy truck. Now imagine it with 2 more cylinders.

[AMCLOVER258]

Hahah if i could i would. Like imagine it: all black eagle, with the brush gaurd Stacks sticking out the hood all lifted up, 2inch spacers ..... <3 Talk about a bad butt ride!

[dakrisnit]

I've seen several posts on Cherokees with a VW/Audi TDI in it.

I think there are several others out there as well. The 1.9 can make 150hp with stock European parts, but U.S. units were limited to 98hp due to emissions regulations. It'll go even further with aftermarket parts. I've wanted to put one in a Kammback or Gremlin for years.

I could swear someone was manufacturing an adapter to mate them to AMC pattern transmissions, but I can't find it right now.

You may remember the early 80's Jeep Cherokee diesels.  They used the Renault turbo diesel, not that many sold in the U.S.  Those used an AX-5 manual trans so there was a bellhousing to connect that diesel with the AX-5.  I understand one problem was that the bellhousing was weak and cracked a little too often.  I don't know if there was an aftermarket one available, but would like to find one.  That same Renault diesel was used in small RV's like the LeSharo and were decent power for the RV, so in a Cherokee it should have been even better and of course in an Eagle.