The Restoration starts!- '80 Eagle Turbo Diesel

[IowaEagle]

Will be interesting.  You never know others might think about a diesel conversion.

[malcolmm]

I want to put a powerstroke in mine.   I think that would be awesome.

[80SpiritGT]

What engine and transmission are you using?

[mccastlej]

I've owned and worked on the Mercedes diesels.  They have an awesome engine!  The 300D should be able to accumulate around 500,000 miles before it needs a rebuild as long as you change the oil, and use a good oil, and filter.  I can tell you from experience that Mobil makes an awesome oil called Delevac.  I think it's 15W40, or something close.  If you want a great oil for your diesel, check it out.  I've tried almost every different diesel oil, and I didn't find anything that was even close.  It is usually sold in a gallon container IIRC.  I'm usually a Valvoline guy all the way, but I tried the Valvoline Diesel oil and wasn't impressed.  I also tried Rotellat, or however you spell it.  That was a waste of money.  What kind of shape is your Benz in?  Post some pics if you would?

[rollguy]

What engine and transmission are you using?

The Eagle has a VM 3.6 L Turbodiesel.  Type in 80 turbo diesel in the search, and you can read all of the threads about the '80 Turbodiesel Eagle.
 I will post some photos today of both engines, and the 'Benz.

[rollguy]

I decided to do something on the '80 Eagle today, and got out my pressure washer to clean the Engine bay. After spraying the engine, I started to slip on the concrete! The water was imediately turning into ICE!  I told you it is ccccooolllldddd here! 

[rollguy]

Photo of VM Engine (Bosch Injection System) in Eagle

Photo of M Benz (Bosch Injection System)

[rollguy]

  What kind of shape is your Benz in?  Post some pics if you would?

It is in nice shape for only $300! It is a 2 door, which are not as plentiful as the 4 door. It also has a black interior which is cool!(I mean nice, but HOT in the Summer).
I have not got it running yet. I think it needs a valve job. I adjusted the valve clearance, and that did not help. It still will not start. It has fuel, and air, so the only thing left is compression. I got a compression tester on ebay, but have not had a warm day to work on it.

[mccastlej]

This will sound a bit stupid, but change BOTH of the fuel filters.  The inline plastic one, and the one that looks like an oil filter.  You will also need to purge the air out of the system.  There is a little hand pump on the side of the injection pump to do this with.  It looks like a black plastic knob that is about 1 1/2" round.  Unscrew this a bit, and pull up on it.  It's that priming pump.  I don't remember totally off hand how to do it, so you might refer to a book.  I was driving down the highway one day, and my car was going fine, next thing I knew, I couldn't even go 55.  I pulled off at a rest stop, and I couldn't get it to start.  I pulled off the plastic inline filter, and blew the junk out of it.  Put it back in, purged the air, and was back on the road in no time.  Keep an extra with you.

[rollguy]

Been there, Done that. I know it has fuel. I pulled the glow plugs out and cranked it. I observed a fine mist of fuel coming out of the glow plug holes.

[mccastlej]

I had fuel too, but I had enough of a little blockage that it wouldn't run.  Did you try a compression test?  IIRC 300psi is approaching bad.  How'd the lobes on the cam look?  Just found the following info.

Normal compression is between 345 to 435 psi with an allowable difference between cylinders of 40 psi. The minimum compression should be no less than 260 psi.

[80SpiritGT]

Your interior looks alot different then mine. 

[IowaEagle]

That is an interior shot of his Mercedes.  His Eagle Turbo Diesel is standard AMC.

[rollguy]

That is an interior shot of his Mercedes.  His Eagle Turbo Diesel is standard AMC.

Yes- Thank you IowaEagle.

[rollguy]

I had fuel too, but I had enough of a little blockage that it wouldn't run.  Did you try a compression test?  IIRC 300psi is approaching bad.  How'd the lobes on the cam look?  Just found the following info.

Normal compression is between 345 to 435 psi with an allowable difference between cylinders of 40 psi. The minimum compression should be no less than 260 psi.

Yes, I need to check the compression. I have not had a warm time to do it. It was 10 degrees here this morning in the DESERT of Southern California!