2L Diesel Swap

[TigerToy]

Has anyone ever done one of these swaps.  I have an 82 with an L52HD.  The starter is on the opposite side on the Diesels.  Is there a clearance issue?  If so, can I build an exhaust pipe that wraps around it?  Also, does anyone make a high torque starter?  I don't think the stock starter will turn it over, and, as previously stated, the diesel starter is on the left.  Thanks in advance

[Willy Mammoth]

There are others here that can answer with more detail, but I will tell you what I know. You will need the trans that goes with the engine along with the diesel starter.

You can search here for the needed parts. http://car-part.com/index.htm

If you don't already have the 2L I would suggest looking for a 3L because of the lack of power the diesel engines have.

I put a Nissan diesel in my project with a Toyota trans, but this didn't come without lost of custom reworking of the bellhousing.

You to see what I had to go through to get it to work for me here.

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=6472.0

Good luck,
Mark

[jr9162]

take a look at www.toyotadieselmadness.com

[TigerToy]

Ok, I think that I am going to have to do the same thing - cut the bell housing and reweld it, as toyota diesels need to have a left side starter.  Any advice for my welder?  The problem is finding a diesel bell housing.  They made one for the W56 but it is really difficult to find.  I actually think that it will be easier just to go ahead and modify my L52HD

[Willy Mammoth]

Don't weld the bellhousing if it is cast iron. It will not hold up. If it is aluminun it can be done, but will need to be 100% without any air pockets and don't grind any welds that don't need it.

If you have a 1 piece block plate for the 2L use it to lign up the starter cone before welding and get it decked before bolting it up the first time.

[fritz]

you can easily get bell housings from australia, and you would be suprised how many old toy diesels are in the u.s. a 2l will leave you wanting more power if you like to step on it or drive at high altitudes. it's worth the money for a 2l-t .

[fritz]

also, radiator is reversed, and you will need to wire up your own glow plug switch with a hold down style switch, or remake a stock one with toyota or ford relays. you can cut all the other wires out though      and then drive under water   

[kneedownnate]

Hey fritz, did they have diesel 4wd trucks over there in the 79-83 body style, or did it only start with the 84s?

[TigerToy]

you can easily get bell housings from australia, and you would be suprised how many old toy diesels are in the u.s. a 2l will leave you wanting more power if you like to step on it or drive at high altitudes. it's worth the money for a 2l-t .

I have no worries about it being underpowered because of how underpriced it is, and I don't live in high altitudes.  2LTs are notorious for blowing head gaskets - the guy that has the motor has four sitting in his garage with blown ones.  I can get a brand new bellhousing from Toyota but it is like 350 dollars.  If you have a phone number or link to an Australian yard that might be of help it would be greatly appreciated.  Basically, i want to convert to diesel and then buy a greasel kit to tool around town in.  10c per gallon is my idea of cheap gas.  I will slow my way all the way to the bank.

[red]

i'm makin biodiesel for my f250, really simple to do and like you said, dirt cheap. if you would eventually like more power there's not much you can do to a mechanical injection, but you could regear your axles.

[TigerToy]

You got a link to a place that tell you how to make biodiesel?

[kneedownnate]

Yknow, I started thinking, if you're starting with a complete 2L truck I think they came with a W50 tranny, and I'd assume the bellhousing would bolt up to any w series tranny.  I talked to Marlin about this stuff a little some time ago, you might pm him and pick his brain a little.

[kyle_22r]

i have heard that earlier trucks('79-83, whenever they started using the diesel in those years) had an adapter ring to fit the L series tranny up to the diesel...