Olds actually made several diesels in the 80's including the 350 and a 260 cubic inch V-8 and 2 or 3 different versions of the 4.3 V-6. Basically all of them were junk. I personally could find better ways to throw money away than tryin to convert a gasser to diesel, but to each thier own.

 

I bought a new 1980 Chevy Cheyane 1/2 ton rwd/automatic trans. Best I can say about it was "It sure was pretty" and ran just fine for a very short time. The IP was located in the distributer's place on a gasser. The IP had a connector shaft that ran off the cam. The connector shaft was very weak and would stress and snap. It also was good at blowing head gaskets. The dealer was very happy when the warranty expired. Finally I pulled the motor and slipping transmission and replaced it with an 1970 Oldsmobile big block and a Turbo 400 transmission. The only part that did'nt bolt up was the AC pump bracket. After I finished she ran like an excaped slave. Ten mpg from 10 to 100 mph. I always felt like GM screwed many good coustomers with the early diesel. at least I know they screwed me.

 

All of these posts are missing one important thing. Diesel Cylinder heads, whether IDI or DI. If it's IDI, there are pre-chambers involved, which is completely different design & geometry than what's in a gas head. Incidentally i understand early VW gas/diesel blocks shared the same design. As var as the GM 5.7 diesel being a "converted" gas engine, I hate that terminology. It was BASED on the 350 gas, but the block had higher nickel content, and finally the 350DX block had beefier webbings.

Just my $0.02.

---AutoMerged DoublePost---

All of these posts are missing one important thing. Diesel Cylinder heads, whether IDI or DI. If it's IDI, there are pre-chambers involved, which is completely different design & geometry than what's in a gas head. Incidentally i understand early VW gas/diesel blocks shared the same design. As var as the GM 5.7 diesel being a "converted" gas engine, I hate that terminology. It was BASED on the 350 gas, but the block had higher nickel content, and finally the 350DX block had beefier webbings.

As far as diesel heads go, why can't somebody make Direct Injection heads for 6.2/6.5 or IH 6.9/7.3 engines. You look in the gas world, there are all kinds of custom heads for racing and performance. You'd think SOMEBODY could make some diesel heads.

Just my $0.02.

 

For custom cylinder heads, the sled-pull guys might know some sources. There's a shop in Las Vegas where a lot of my truck work was done, and the guy there, Darryl Mason, mentioned that some of those tractors were subjected to boost pressures @ 240psi, and had cast steel heads, rather than cast iron. You know if they're going to the trouble of casting a stronger material, they're tweaking the geometry, too. I suppose by now, somebody's felt a need to make'm out of forged steel.