Engine and Transmission Swap for 1974 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Wagon?

What Diesel Engines can be put into a 1974 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Clamshell Station Wagon and what Manual Transmissions can be put in?

 

I would think the 6.9 diesel and the 435 FE trans would be the easiest, not sure if a newer say 7.3 powerstroke would be easier. That earlier 6.9 had a lot less electronic controls and a simplified computer. But I have never done either one. I have a customer with a 1970 1/2 ton Dodge short bed with a 5.9 cummins in it, turned out pretty sweet.

 

The "easiest" swap would be an Oldsmobile 350 diesel, since it bolts in and all the accessory brackets boltup. I wouldn't recommend this, but it's definitely the easiest. Anything else requires considerable fabrication, as well as different front springs, cooling, etc.

 

I think Joe may be right here, kinda forgot about the 350 diesel, not the best engine GM ever created but I think the install would be a snap.

 

Thanks. I'll pass on the 350 AKA the 5.7 Litre Engine for a 1974 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser Wagon; I'm thinking of something larger.

Is there more advice to be given?

 

I am out of thoughts on this one...not much of a diesel guy but the previous comments was my two cents worth. Good luck Volts hopefully someone else has some advice to add.

 

Convert2diesel on the longroof forum has some experience in diesel installations. He did one on a bubble wagon, and the same engine would fit in the boxy ones.

 

There is nothing wrong with the 350 Diesel when built properly. I think somebody else swapped a 6.5 into a GM box wagon. That may be who Fred was referring to.

 

The biggest problem with the 350 diesel was the lack of a water separator in the fuel system. That's an easy fix. Of course, the DX blocks are much better as a bulletproof gasoline engine than a diesel.

 

Huh. How well do the 5.7s accelerate in the 1978-1985 model years of Sedans and Wagons?

 

Slowly. It's no race engine, but my only point of reference is my stock '81 Cutlass with a 3 speed trans and looooong 2.?? gears outback. It gave 30mpg on the highway though (that was back in the day when 55mph and occasionally 65mph speed limits were the norm).

Why do you want a Diesel?

 

My former pipe organ teacher had a 78 Olds Ninety Eight diesel at the same time I had my 78 Buick Electra with the Buick 350. The Buick used a LOT less fuel as well as having a lot better performance. His, by the way, had the second generation diesel engine under the hood. It was engine number 3, in about the same number of kilometers as I had on the Buick. After that, I would RUN from anything with that engine.

 

It is too bad that GM messed up so badly on that one as I love Diesels and they really poisoned the well. Today with the price differential and the crappy fuels they have to sell it is not nearly as practical as it used to be but I still love them.

mike

 

Thanks for the replies. I like the Diesel because I can run them on Biodiesel, Whether the fuel is home-made or bought commercially and because they get higher fuel economy. I'm passing on the 5.7 considering the slow acceleration.

 

I once saw a drag race at Seattle International Raceway back in the day between two Olds Gutless Cruiser diesel wagons...when the two ran, they were really slow, they finished in the 21 second bracket, and the crowd was booing them. I just laughed my @$$ off.