Hi, I am intersted in putting a 6.2 diesel in a 75 El Camino alomg with a 700R4. I have the engine and trans and am going to look at a supposedly nice EC body tomorrow. I thiink they were available with 454s so I assume the 6.2 would be about the same size and weight. Any problems or suggestions. I also have radiators for 6.2s, which I know it would need. Any advice or comments (besides telling me I'm crazy ) will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Larry
Sticking a 6.2 diesel / 700R4 combo into an intermediate GM car chassis isn't just an engine/tranny pull and swap. The fuel system mods, injector pump, water filters, etc alone would be a nightmare. The 700R4 will require some electrical mods for the converter to function properly. And that's just for starters. Even if you could get it to work, it's the most torqueless diesel around. GIGO. The 350 Olds Diesel is worse, but I don't count it as an actual diesel engine.
It will require some work but it is do-able. You will have a great economy vehicle when you are done. The 6.2 can make a fair amount of horsepower but if it is power you want you would be better off with some other engine. The 6.2 will never be a contender against a Cummins, Duramax, or PowerStroke, but it will get great mileage in that vehicle. Low drag and light weight are good for that.
If the vehicle had a big block in it the conversion will be easier because other than the obvious electrical and hardware issues there will be the front springs and suspension components to hold up the additional weight.
Fuel issues will be minimal because the 6.2 is mechanical injection, just add the necessary return line and filtration/water trap from a GM diesel pickup.
Neither the vehicle nor the engine require an ECM, so that part is no problem.
You aren't crazy, just walking a unique path. Now the guy that put a 6.5 in a Corvette was a bit off to most people.
Best of luck to you.
George V.
Thanks for the replies. I looked at the El Cain today and am not that interested in it. The body is very good, but the guy was in the process of restoring it, and it needs more reassembling than I am intersted in doing. I am real famliar with 6.2's.I have 4-- 2 pickups, a Suburban and a van. I have had vitrually no problems with any of them except for starters and starter bolts. My first one is in an 83 GMC1/2 ton p/u that I bought in 88. The drive train is still going strong, but the body is getting very rusty, and I was planning on usng that drive train in the EC. I would really like to find a 1/2 ton 2WD p/u with a good body, but as everyone knows, they are getting pretty rare. This also brings me to another question-- how hard would it be to replace the cab section on the 83? The only bad rust is there, especially around the windshield. I had the front end rebuilt and a compete brake job done on it right before I quit driving it about 5 years ago, so if by chance I could find a good cab, would such a project be feasable? Also, if it is done, how is the VIN handled on the title? Thanks again Larry
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