81 Chevy Caprice Diesel

[TWilkening]

I've heard all the horror stories, but I found one for sale for $500, that looks and runs good. What little research I've done seems to say the later years were more reliable. Looking to get it to drive when I don't need a truck, so I can keep miles off the diesel, and keep from spending a ton driving my 93 (12 mpg). Any opinions? TIA

 

[NCovey]

My grand parents had an Oldsmobile Ninety-eight Regency with the 5. 7L diesel in it. It was a great car for them, good fuel economy, never needed anything other than regular maintenance. You just have to remember it isn't going to rip your head off performance wise, but if you drive it with a little caution, and keep your foot out of it, it will probably do you well. -Nicholas

 

[HCannon]

They all werent bad. I had a Olds that I put nearly 200K miles on that would get a high 20's per gallon of fuel and would get over 30 on the open road holding the speed down. Never had any problem with the motor. For me, it was one of the best rig that I ever had. Harvey

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

As others have already posted, the later models were much better. They were plenty of updates, including stronger head bolts etc. If I found one, I'd buy it. Just be smart... no killing it until it's properly warmed up, block heater to help it get started when it's cold(the starting system is marginal, including the glow plugs), keep up on the oil changes, and you'll be fine.

Joe

 

[cruiser_2]

I concur I had an 81 olds 88 wagon and when i got rid of it it had over 250K on it. Engines were great (make sure it has a 350DX block (look for that on the lower part of the block on left side. )



You folks are right... will never give you whiplash from blazing hole shots... . and willo NEVER do a bleach burnout... but with good maintenance it will perform admirably.

 

[steved]

They perform well IF they are not run hard... as already noted.

 

[Yo Hoot]

So twins are out of the question?

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

So twins are out of the question?

A stiff breeze is out of the question!:-laf

 

[Moose Truck]

So twins are out of the question?

A stiff breeze is out of the question!:-laf

Nitrous, Propane, Water-Meth out too? You can allways put a 5. 9 into it It's allready plumbed for #2. Plus the Engine bay was sized for a inline six.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

Like this?



YouTube - 1970 DMC Diesel Monte Carlo '99 Cummins turbo 24 valve

 

[donnier]

If I remember correctly, that was GM's version of an early diesel and they modified a 350 block to be a diesel.

Buddy of mine had a half ton truck with one when they first came out and he blew two engines in it.

 

[AKaiser]

A stiff breeze is out of the question!:-laf

No, but you could probably swap out for a 6. 2 and put the turbo on it, plus an upgraded TC. JM2C

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

As I understand it Chevy's 5. 7 diesel wasn't exactly the same as the Oldsmobile engine, not sure if that's to say if it's better or worse though.

As mentioned above warmups are important, unlike a Cummins you should let it sit and idle for 3-4 minutes before taking off.

Turbocharging a 5. 7 Diesel? Sounds like an immediate recipe for a blown head gasket or rod, but there was a guy on one of the GM diesel boards who put a HY35 on his Olds wagon and managed to run it 60,000 miles without blowing anything. He limited it to 7psi boost. Said it helped a lot, went from a total dog to almost acceptable performance, LOL

Vaughn