[New engine]

On 7/26/2019 at 11:24 AM, linda s said:

I'm pretty sure a GM 3.0 diesel won't come close to fitting in an old Toyota truck. The 2.8 diesel they put in the Colorado probably will but my son works at a Chevy dealer and every new truck that comes back to the dealer for work is that diesel. Maybe after they work some of the bugs out. To be specific. These are inline engines so the difference in size is the 3.0 is 2 cylinders longer. full size engine compartment required

Linda S

The emissions stuff kills them. The regen cycle cokes everything up. In an emission free area they can be made reliable. At least from what I have heard from owners and other people who are familiar with them. Your son probably knows all about that.

[85 Octane / MPG]

In other ICE motors that call for 87 or better that I have driven in high altitudes they were fine. Even when towing. I think the altitude allows one to use less octane. 

[Engine/trans swaps]

Has anyone cosidered turboing the stock efi setup to around 5lbs? Other toyota truck guys say it can be done. Seen some builds on forums. I wonder if this would help the dolphin up huge grades.

[What's your rig and where's it at?]

On 6/16/2019 at 9:19 PM, 86ConquestChris said:

Looks very nice!

Did a $75 spray paint job and it came out great.

[89 Dolphin Overheating Issues]

An easy way to check for headgasket failure is to take the radiator cap off and then run the engine. If a bunch of bubbles keep coming up to the filler hole then you have a blown head gasket.

[Roadside assistance]

Our Dolphin blew its headgasket on the Grapevine last weekend and we limped it a good ways further before it finally gave in. We were on the side of the Freeway for almost 24 hours before we could get someone to come out at a reasonable price. AAA wouldn't because we didnt have RV thing. Geico wouldnt because its too old for them to do roadside assistance. (Which must be an RV thing because they cover my wife's 1981 300TD) We ended up calling pepboys because they will tow to one of their locations and add it to the repair bill. It was the cheapest way. Ended up being $250 for a 45 mile tow. Plus free storage at pepboys while they worked on it. 

During the ordeal we were calling all the companies in the area getting quotes for towing and storage to buy us time to figure out how to get it home and fixed. They were saying 100-180 an hour and 50-80$ a day for storage. One quoted 500$ for the 45 mile tow. 

[What's your rig and where's it at?]

Just got our 1987 Dolphin. Great shape. 87k miles. $4,900 

 

Took it out with our family for its first 110 mile journey. Averaged 13.7 mpg.