Diesel Power

S

Straight Six

Well-known member
"Gutsy are those who try something no one has ever tried before, like a four-cylinder Ford diesel-powered '65 Mustang hardtop--actually done by Jim Gorman in Mansfield, Ohio, 25 years ago"

Has anyone heard of this type of conversion befor? or know where I can find out more info about this particular referance?I came across this mention in "mustangsandfastfords" mag but the company hasnt replyed to my email asking for more details.

Any other mods that have been done that boosted gas mileage to near 30mpg,generated gobs of torque,electric/fuel cell hybrid conversions-would also be of interest--Thanks all
 
This has been done countless times. The most recent one I can think of was in Diesel Power (or Diesel World, can't remember for sure) in which they took a 3.9 cummins, put it in a jeep and got 27mpg and about twice the torque as stock.

I am considering swapping out my 300 for a 3.9l cummins, but I am a diesel guy at heart. If you get the old mechanical diesels, the swap is about as easy as you can get. The new electronic engines make it a little more difficult, but nothing impossible. I know someone in the process of putting a 12v cummins in an 80's camaro.

The world is slowly learning that diesels aren't slow rattling beasts anymore. A 24v 5.9l cummins in a 65 mustang with a box would create more torque than you could put to the ground on street tires. It wouldn't fit without some modification I have a feeling, but that is the nature of the beast. Diesels can be fast without a doubt. There are many daily driver 500hp, 1000 lb. ft.+ cummins and duramax trucks running around. Take the same power and put in a lightweight car and you have a beast. Fitment wise (for the duramax) it is about the same as putting in a big block with an additional couple of hundred pounds. The cummins is just an overgrown 300 in the size department.

For a four banger diesel, look into the 3.9l cummins isb. It is a close cousin to the 5.9l cummins. Look for delivery trucks as they often have these.
 
There are a few four bangers diesels around (Inodor/Ford/Peugeot 2.3 and 2.5, used in the 504, 505 and European Ford Transit Van), but I'd personally not suffer the vibration and harshness of a diesel in a classic Stang.

Local engines like the B2200 diesel found in the Australian Ford Courier and Japanese Mazda light trucks were not very strong, but are possibly easier to, um, pick up. The 4 cylinder TD27 Nissan Navara/Pathfinder engine is actually really good for a diesel as long as its not dragging a tone and a half around.

Keep way form any Mitsubishi Monterreo 4-cylinder diesel. The 6 cylinder version used in the exported Fuso or Mitsubishi Canter truck was good. The Isuzu 2.8 Diesel (nasty GM!) Monterary/Trouper is quite an exceptional engine to use, but its four cylinder as well.


Plenty of LD 28 Diesel have been fitted to Australian Falcons. If you can cope with the idea of a Japanese engine into a Mustang, that gives you a 2.8 liter I6 with OHC, 3 or 4 speed Jatco, or 5-speedNissan or T5 5-speed with no major cutting. You can turbo it with a 280 ZXT t3/60 turbocharger and exhast mainfold. Stock hp is 93 at about 4000 rpm, and 125 lb-ft at 1600 rpm, and its not hard to get to 130 hp and 175 lb-ft without hurting the stock internals.

The other option is the semi-Japanese OHV six cylinder 1980 S32 International Scout or similar Turbo Diesel D32 Nissan Patrol engine found as a private export. Both engines are far smoother than any Ford 4-cylinder diesel, and both engines eclispse and unmoddified Ford 200 for power and almost exceed it for torque. Both are very smooth with the exception of typical idle clatter.
 
There is a 4BT cummins group on Yahoo where people are repowering all kinds of vehicles. Mostly offroad and SUV types, though. Also look at the Volkswagon Tdi diesels for low polluting quiet power.
 
The TDI is just plain awesome. If they didn't hold their value so well, I would own one.
 
I´d use a Mercedes 300 24-valve engine. Pretty easy to get 300+hp with just pump and turbo mods. It´s much lighter than any cummins engine and it revs like a gasser.
 
I mean OM606, it´s used in W210 E-class ´97>. Also older 12 valve OM603 (W124) would be good too. All these are automatic from the factory.
 
All that I know is the diesel in the 320C (or whatever one) the dealership rented for me was a torque monster. Even in 6th gear running 200 km/hr, it would press me back into the seat noticeably. It was very impressive, and I'm not much for luxury cars. I don't know if it was a 4 or 6 cyl, but it was a strong runner.
 
i wouldnt go gung ho on putting 6 cylinder cummins in mustangs, dodge could barely keep the front end from breaking in their truck let alone a car. any diesel 4 or 6 cylinder put into a car is gonna be heavy, and should be treated wiht the idea that the front end will need beefed up for safety and driveability. them damn smart cars have the sweet setup with 80 mpg diesel.
 
8) a nice diesel engine to put in cars and light trucks is the little perkins diesel you can find in refer units on refrigerated trailers. they are small and light enough to fit automotive engine compartments, and make decent power. pop on a turbo to make even more power and better mileage. if you decide to use an older mechanical injected diesel, check with gale banks engineering and see if they have a retrofit efi system, or perhaps the megasquirt can be adapted for diesel use.
 
i can't beleive i didn't think of that. That is actually perfect motor to pull out of a thermo king of a carrier. U'll most likely want to get a mechanical engine because these things are set to run at 2 speeds, low and high on the electronic ones. but a very feasable fit.
 
rbohm":7mp0b13v said:
8) a nice diesel engine to put in cars and light trucks is the little perkins diesel .
Click to expand...

As much as I like the Cummins I have seen many a Perkins motor swapped into the Aussie Falcons. ( 1970's through to 1980's and later in both Utes and cars ). So I have to say if you do some home work you will find a Perkins swap without any hassles.
 
Cool23":v2npcfv7 said:
rbohm":v2npcfv7 said:
8) a nice diesel engine to put in cars and light trucks is the little perkins diesel .
Click to expand...

As much as I like the Cummins I have seen many a Perkins motor swapped into the Aussie Falcons. ( 1970's through to 1980's and later in both Utes and cars ). So I have to say if you do some home work you will find a Perkins swap without any hassles.
Click to expand...

AH but finding a perkins 2 liter is almost impossible!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top