zero Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 I've been thinking about swapping a Mercedes 5 cylinder turbo-diesel into a Dolphin RV. I can get the Dolphin cheap and it currently is on a 83 Chevy S10 chassis with a 2.8 V6. I would not want to cut up my 88 Toyota Minicruiser for this project. The 5 cylinder Mercedes turbo-diesel is supposed to be one of the most rugged diesels ever used in a car. Plenty of those engines around cheap (less then $1000). I found this road test with a Mercedes pulling an Airstream trailer from 1980 which gives some idea on what sort of fuel mileage might be expected from such a swap? Looks to me that with a manual trans - it might get 19-20 MPG and have pretty good power. A couple of good mini-micro ads too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totem Posted September 25, 2015 Share Posted September 25, 2015 om60x? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donnie Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 I've been thinking about swapping a Mercedes 5 cylinder turbo-diesel into a Dolphin RV. I can get the Dolphin cheap and it currently is on a 83 Chevy S10 chassis with a 2.8 V6. I would not want to cut up my 88 Toyota Minicruiser for this project. The 5 cylinder Mercedes turbo-diesel is supposed to be one of the most rugged diesels ever used in a car. Plenty of those engines around cheap (less then $1000). I found this road test with a Mercedes pulling an Airstream trailer from 1980 which gives some idea on what sort of fuel mileage might be expected from such a swap? Looks to me that with a manual trans - it might get 19-20 MPG and have pretty good power. A couple of good mini-micro ads too. I am in the process of installing a 5 cyl turbo diesel into a 1972 E300 that has a Shasta Camper body on it. It looks like they chopped the rear off of the van & dropped a Shasta trailer on it. Under neath you can still see the Econoline floor, fender wells etc. Excellent low mileage truck. I installed the engine & trans as a complete unit.. In my research they started installing these Shasta's on Ford E300's in 1970.. I have gained considerable weight as the engine is a bit heavier than the 302 that I removed.. The total truck length is 17 feet bumper to bumper..The 3;73 gears are way too tall, so I am trying to figure out the ratio that I will need to accmodate the 16.5 tires & the xtra weight.. I am thinking 4:56's...may not be enough?? It works out on paper, I am using a pushbutton to select 1st gear as these transmissions start out in second gear unless you really come down hard on the throttle..If you have any additional advice or info, please comment..........donnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 .The 3;73 gears are way too tall, so I am trying to figure out the ratio that I will need to accmodate the 16.5 tires & the xtra weight........donnie Assuming you've got the 4 speed trans with OD and your target is to have the engine running in the peak of the torque curve at 2400 RPM when driving @ 55 MPH - then something like a 5.30 to 1 rear-axle ratio what I'd want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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