I found you guys quite by accident: I saw a video on youtube by one of your members, usedkubotaman, and he mentioned your site in the writeup on the video about his Kubota S-10 swap. So I came here to see what he had done, and I liked the forum so much that I joined.

So, about me: I built a 1993 Suburban with a custom built 6.2L diesel for our family car. Now whe I say "custom built" I mean I assembled an engine with factory parts that are in a combination that never actually was built by the factory. I did it for maximum fuel economy. It started with the realization that my wife and I hate minivans, but we needed something with room for four child seats. That meant a Suburban. The problem with that of course is fuel economy. Gas 2wd Subs don't get much more than 16-17 MPG highway... at least not in the model years we could afford. I then found our Suburban. It had 250,000 miles, a tired TBI 350 V8, a slipping 4L60E transmission, and a good body. I bought it for $700. My wife liked it until I told her it wasn't really derivable yet. I told her I was going to convert it to diesel. She was less than optimistic. I then bought a 1984 Suburban C2500 with a 6.2L diesel engine and freshly rebuilt 700R4 for $250. It was a "J" code (heavy duty) engine. I tore the engine down and found cracked mains. I then found a 1983 "C" code engine for $200 with only 48,000 miles. It had a bad injection pump, got pulled for a 454, and sat in a barn. I stripped the 84 Sub for parts, tore down the C code engine and found a nearly virgin block. I assembled it with the best parts from both engines, and optimized my combination for maximum fuel economy. I used the "C" code small throat chambers in my "J" code heads, The C code pump (I had it freshened up) and the "J" code injectors (higher pop pressure). I used the J code intake (no EGR) and exhausts as well. This engine moves a lot of air. I re-assembled it with a DSG main girdle, total seal rings, Felpro gaskets (I used the 0.030 overbore, 0.010 thicker head gaskets) new Felpro head bolts, AC Delco 60G plugs, and a 2.5" dual exhaust. I also used An electric fan and a slightly cooler than factory 180* thermostat. With 3.73 gears, it knocks down 27 MPG highway, and 22 MPG around town. By the way, I sold the 84 sub for $400 for scrap metal, and since I only spent about $600 in parts, I am into the whole thing for about $1400. The best part is that I made a true believer out of my wife: she loves the car (and the mileage!). She drives it nearly every day, and we have taken it on several long trips.

I am so happy with it I want to do another 6.2/6.5 conversion, this time to my 1996 F-150, and I want to get a full size GM wagon (Custom Cruiser, Caprice Estate, etc) and convert it so I have a backup for the Suburban in case it needs work or something (my wife is less than thrilled about my desire for a "grandpa car"). I always loved them, and would have built one first, except my wife refused to drive a station wagon every day. FYI, I know that it is not well loved, but I do have a 5.7L diesel Olds engine, and it is a late model Goodwrench replacement engine, and I know how to built it so it doesn't blow up, so that might be the station wagon engine. Then I want to do a 4 cylinder 40-50 MPG diesel S-10 or ranger for commuting and light truck use.

Lastly, I want a 455 ci 4bbl V8 powered Olds 98 Coupe with 9C1 Caprice police car suspension and brakes, positraction, and ice cold air. It will be my summer weekend cruiser, so gas mileage is not a priority on that one!

I look forward to hanging around and getting established. This seems like a fun and informative place!

 

Had one heck of a project there. By chance, you running a gear reduction starter? They are the bees knees.

 

Yes, I have a planetary reduction starter. I got bit by the diesel bug when I was in High School. My first car was an Olds Regency Diesel. It was when diesel was about $0.70 per gallon and $20 was good for 2 weeks of driving. In fact, since I had the big, comfortable car, I was the chauffeur for my group of friends. I charged $2.00 "gas" money per person each night we went out and I always had a full tank and went years before "paying" my own money for fuel! I'd stuff the tank on a Saturday night and still have $8.00-$10.00 left over. Then that damn TH-200C trans crapped out, and before you knew it, BAM! I had a warmed over 350 Chevy and TH-350 trans in that car and was running high 13s with highway gears (2.41:1). I then got 13 MPG, but with gas going for $0.90 - $1.00 per gallon, I could afford to go fast.