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DIESEL TO GAS CONVERSION
h20mofo
+1y
Sooooo I'm looking at an 85 2wd dually, looks to have a pretty ruest free body(calif. truck). Just talked to the guy and he tells me the truck was a diesel and someone put a small block in it. I could be wrong here, but wouldn't the diesel have came with a different ring and pinion ratio than a gas setup??? Any other diferences or issues I may be missing here. The truck is under a grand. I also wonder if the conversion will pose any registration issues??
hangslo
+1y
It is possible that the diesel has (had) a different gear than the gas engine, but 4.10 seems to be the most popular gear that these trucks came with. I have heard of a few that came with 3.73, but they are rare. As long as the truck runs and drives fine (as well as any truck under a grand can), then it is likely that the conversion was done halfway decent.
I cant see how the engine swap could possibly affect the registration, but I guess that would depend on the state you live in ... some states are worse than others. They usually dont care what engine is in the truck, just what the total weight of the vehicle is since that is what they base the registration fees off of.
I cant see how the engine swap could possibly affect the registration, but I guess that would depend on the state you live in ... some states are worse than others. They usually dont care what engine is in the truck, just what the total weight of the vehicle is since that is what they base the registration fees off of.
h20mofo
+1y
We have some strange laws around here....we have to pass an emission test and a saftey inspection. Acording to the guy I talked to at a local shop a bit ago the conversion would be "illegal". Too bad it's rust free and 800 bucks.lol
milkshake
+1y
why would somebody convert to gas from diesel? weired
hangslo
+1y
probably because the old 6.2/6.5 diesel only excelled over the gas engine in one area ... mileage. The gas big block blew away the diesel in towing ability and torque in those (and even in my 98) days.
Also, the diesels were not computer controlled and mods were much more difficult and more "mystical" to someone that grew up on carburetors and points ignition.
hangslo
+1y
Both the safety and emissions tests can easily be passed if you have a carb that can be completely tuned, provided that you are an able tuner and know how to modify the mechanical systems of the engine and are familiar with all the circuits (idle, transition and full throttle) of the carb. You would need to have a wide band O2 sensor, and a variety of jets to adjust the idle bleeds, high speed bleeds, idle feed restrictors, power valve channel restrictors and emulsification circuits.
Given all that, you can set the engine up however you want, either for emissions or max power but if you are not familiar with all this it can be a pretty steep learning curve.
1967rs
+1y
[quoteSooooo I'm looking at an 85 2wd dually, looks to have a pretty ruest free body(calif. truck). Just talked to the guy and he tells me the truck was a diesel and someone put a small block in it. I could be wrong here, but wouldn't the diesel have came with a different ring and pinion ratio than a gas setup??? Any other diferences or issues I may be missing here. The truck is under a grand. I also wonder if the conversion will pose any registration issues??][/quote]
You are in Utah, right? When he droped the price it got my attation as well.
It cost $65 and you have to fill out a few forms to get the title transfered over to gas.
It may have 373 gears, most gas have 411 or 456.
You are in Utah, right? When he droped the price it got my attation as well.
It cost $65 and you have to fill out a few forms to get the title transfered over to gas.
It may have 373 gears, most gas have 411 or 456.
h20mofo
+1y
Wow....that's good to know(on the title), the guy at the shop I talked to made it sound like I'd be S.O.L. I always thought you couldn't modify any vehicle newer than a 1982. I bet it doesn't last too long at that price. I wanted to look at it today but he's not available because of thanksgiving. Maybe tomorrow... Oh and yes I'm in slc too.
kelgar50
+1y
I live in cali and have done the swap.
I had a 82 chevy 1/2ton with the 6.2 when it went we put a 350 in it and that is legal.The only thing you have to do is use a engine from the year the truck was made or newer and must retain all the factory emission parts and pass a C.A.R.B ref. inspection then you get a little carb sticker put on the core support confirming the swap.
Also the truck I had came with a 700r4 and 3.73 rears and in its day pulling the race car trailer we would eat the 454 1tons pulling the same size trailers and larger going up the grapevine.But when dodge brought out the cummins that was a different story it ate our lunch.
I had a 82 chevy 1/2ton with the 6.2 when it went we put a 350 in it and that is legal.The only thing you have to do is use a engine from the year the truck was made or newer and must retain all the factory emission parts and pass a C.A.R.B ref. inspection then you get a little carb sticker put on the core support confirming the swap.
Also the truck I had came with a 700r4 and 3.73 rears and in its day pulling the race car trailer we would eat the 454 1tons pulling the same size trailers and larger going up the grapevine.But when dodge brought out the cummins that was a different story it ate our lunch.