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Book Review: How to convert your car, van, or pickup to diesel ,Dempsey

The Only Book of its type,Useful for older swaps

Surprisingly, this text by Paul Dempsey-whose other works for the
often-dismal TAB imprint are actually very good-is the only extant
text on installing a diesel engine in an automobile or light truck
(which was not originally so constructed.) Because of the current
dearth of diesel passenger cars and under-3/4 ton trucks on the US
market, and the fact that all new diesels are electronically
controlled, a diesel swap using an older-style diesel engine will
appeal to a certain group of people.

Mechanically controlled diesel engines, along with gas turbines, are
unique in that they will run with no electrical system once started,
important to off-roaders venturing far from civilization, and to
"survivalists" worried about nuclear war or government pulse
generators disabling the electronics of all car engines. More
conventional users simply like the simplicity of diesel engines and
their inherent higher efficiency than spark-ignition engines.

This book was written in 1978, and is therefore of limited usefulnes
with specifics on engines built in the last quarter-century, although
some of the engines he discusses are still readily available. The
SD22,25, and 33 Nissans can be found by searching, a plethora of
mechanical Isuzu and Mits engines are out there, and for the
masochistic or "Urban Cowboy revivalist" there is no shortage of 53
Series Detroit cores out there. No one will look seriously at the 350
Olds engine anymore (except for blocks and cranks to build 350 gas
drag engines out of), but various VW inline fours are now powering
Suzukis.

Most of the issues involved in planning and executing a diesel swap
are not peculiar to diesels, and engine swaps in later-model vehicles
have gottten more and more complicated, but they're still done. At the
outset, Dempsey warns readers that he does not cover or recommend
swaps in front-wheel-drive or rear engine vehicles. At the time the
book was written, FWD vehicles were a small segment of the market:
they now comprise most vehicles on the road.

If you have thought about keeping an old full-size car on the road
despite today's gas prices (and are willing to spend the time and
money) or are interested in alternate fuels, particularly biodiesel,
this book still makes a good read.

Re: Book Review: How to convert your car, van, or pickup to diesel ,Dempsey

On Sat, 19 Jun 2004 20:30:22 -0700, Paul wrote:

> Mechanically controlled diesel engines, along with gas turbines, are
> unique in that they will run with no electrical system once started,

Well, yes, and no. Even mechanical diesel engines are controlled by an
interlocking electric fuel solenoid. My 1981 had one. No electrics, no
putt-putt.

--

-bob-
_______________________________________
SuSE Linux Pro 9.1

Re: Book Review: How to convert your car, van, or pickup to diesel ,Dempsey

Re: Book Review: How to convert your car, van, or pickup to diesel,Dempsey

Fuel shut off, otherwise it would keep running after you pulled the
key.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

"F. Robert Falbo" wrote:
>
> Well, yes, and no. Even mechanical diesel engines are controlled by an
> interlocking electric fuel solenoid. My 1981 had one. No electrics, no
> putt-putt.
>
> --
>
> -bob-
> _______________________________________
> SuSE Linux Pro 9.1

Re: Book Review: How to convert your car, van, or pickup to diesel,Dempsey

Re: Book Review: How to convert your car, van, or pickup to diesel ,Dempsey

L.W.(ßill) ------ III <----------@cox.net> wrote in message news:<40D7815E.9EB03A62@cox.net>...
> Fuel shut off, otherwise it would keep running after you pulled the
> key.
> God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
> "F. Robert Falbo" wrote:
> >
> > Well, yes, and no. Even mechanical diesel engines are controlled by an
> > interlocking electric fuel solenoid. My 1981 had one. No electrics, no
> > putt-putt.

Usually this can be either manually secured (Cummins) or you can rig
it to shutdown on power applied instead of removed, or replace it with
a manual lever. Older MBZ had a manual four position knob, which can
be backadapted to later Bosch pump engines. VW has an internal
solenoid but it can be removed without major pump disassembly, or if
you are replacing pump, use one with an external lever. Good injection
pump shops can do some really neat stuff.