Had a wild *** dream about making a 6.2L diesel powered El Camino for an every day parts running mobile.Dads got an S10 and I wondered if the El Camino in Diesel with manual transmission would get better milage than that even.I know they made these El Caminos with the old 5.7L diesel not one of GMs best ideas in my opinion.So how much harder would it be to get the 6.2L in there instead of the 5.7L with manual transmission?

 

well a 6.2 isnt that much bigger than a 350, try it out and take pics!!
they can get 454s in those so im sure a 6.2 can

 

As it stands right now I can't find any El Caminos that need fixed around my area.I was looking for one with a crappy engine so I just have to swap the 6.2L in there and go.I want one under $1,500 with a working transmission.I just want to put the 6.2L in there for a beat around truck perfect setup in my opinion half car half truck.Shame they no longer make these good old girls.Cash might be another problem as it might cost more to do this than its worth but it would be pretty cool.

 

yup, cash is always the problem

 

Yeah shame I can't find that money tree.

 

It should fit. The motor mount locations, exhaust manifold to pipe connections/spacing, and transmission bolt pattern is the same as a 350 gasser.

The exhaust manifolds I'm referring to were the older, "under the plugs" type. Not the ram horn or above the plug type.

2 problem areas you will probably experience is;

(1) The oil pan on a 6.2 has a longer, front to back sump than a V8 gasser. This can be delt with in a couple of different ways. You could modify the oil pan or modify the crossmember. (I opted for the crossmember which was boxed after surgery). There are probably other ways but those are the 2 options I can think of for right now using the stock gasser V8 mounts.

(2) While the 6.2 will physically bolt to the motor mounts (frame) and have the same manifold dump angle/spacing the 6.2 has a bit more girth up top. Injctors/lines will possibly interfere with the steering shaft and maybe the heater/AC box. The steering can be relocated slightly more towards the driver side by redrilling holes to move the column over. The heater/AC box could probably be notched for clearance as needed.

These are the issues I came across while installing a 6.2 in a 1985 Caprice. Granted the Caprice is a bit larger than a 1978 or newer El Camino but if you were to go with an older model with no A/C then the fitment would porbably go easier because of more room.

Also, IIRC, the '78 and newer Elkys used the "over the plugs" type manifolds so there may not be enough room for the stock 6.2 manifolds and upper suspension "A" arms.

Hope this helps.

 

I love this idea! Someday I plan on dumping a diesel in some older car just for the massive power in such a small vehicle. I'll stay posted on this project for sure!

 

I don't want to sound like a smart aleck Scratch but you do realize the OP was asking about a 6.2 don't you?

Even though I own 2 of them I would never claim they have "massive power" by any stretch of the imagination.

 

Yes, I do realize he was talking about a 6.2. I was talking generally about dumping any diesel into an old car. I also guarantee that a 6.2 in that el camino would blow my raced-out Chevy c10 with 4.10 gears @ 65mph(thats pushing it) away... I would call that more power. but we are cool, we are all diesel lovers.