V8 Mu's/Wizard's

[wbski007]

Have you thought about an 6.2 diesel, they aren't much bigger the a 350, just heavier, I put one in a 68 chevelle and it bolted right up,they have the same mounts as the small blocks,I got 27 MPG on the road with it, versus the 13MPG I was getting with the 350 that was origanily in it, and could brake the tires loose on take off, it turned alot of heads, just some food for thought Muzila.

[geeves]

Its hard work getting a 350 into a isuzu 4x4. It can be done but you have no room left at all. Also the extra weight of that diesel engine it going to cause interesting handleing issues.
Thats one of the better "small" US diesels. Chevys first attempt at the diesel with a modified 350 was a flop but a lot of reading on it that Ive done blamed the mechanics in the service centers that had never learned about diesels.

[wbski007]

Your rite Geeves, I had alot of those 5.7 GM diesels, they were great runners when they were new but gave out at around 100,000 miles, there biggest weak point were the head bolts weren't strong enough, they did revize that but by then it was to late they already had a bad rep, I had a 83 Pontaic and got 34 MPH and that was a big car, something you might look into is the 4.3 V6 GM diesel of that same era, now they were good runners with no head problems, thats a motor that would fit in the MU's but you don't see many around anymore.

[geeves]

The big problem with the head bolts is they were single use like most diesel heads but very unlike the head bolts from a standard 350. I think the only alteration ti them was a big warning in the workshop manual not to reuse the bolts and to torque them properly to about twice what a petrol engine needed. There was nothing actually wrong with the engine

[wbski007]

GM did come out with different head bolts to replace the old ones, as I replaced the ones on mine, I got them right from the dealer. I do agree with you it was a good engine, amazing the fuel milage they would get for a V-8, twice the amount of the petrol 350.

[muzila]

Have you thought about an 6.2 diesel, they aren't much bigger the a 350, just heavier, I put one in a 68 chevelle and it bolted right up,they have the same mounts as the small blocks,I got 27 MPG on the road with it, versus the 13MPG I was getting with the 350 that was origanily in it, and could brake the tires loose on take off, it turned alot of heads, just some food for thought Muzila.

I looked at a 6.7 diesel to see if it would fit but it looks way too big to just slot in. Is the 6.2 a big block as well? I have been told the big blocks have a different degree in the V to the small blocks. having never worked with BB I dont know for sure. But that would stop the BB from fitting into a space as small as the MU engine bay. I still have a lot of research to do, but I have most stuff sorted if I do drop a SB 350 chev in. I may have to go petrol, but rather have a diesel. My other option is to go to a toyota V8 and have the hassel of trying to hack the computer to get that working.

[MARKx4]

I read in a old zoom magazine a story of a rodeo with a LS1 in it, so i imagine one will fit in a mu aswell

[wbski007]

Yes I believe the 6.2 is concidered a big block, they are a wee bit bigger than the diesel 350's,not much tho, but they are heavier,now if you could find a 4.3 chevy diesel thats a great little V-6 and I know that would pop right in a MU,

[Hermit]

Mine was a 4.0 Liter and was rated at 250 hp and around 370 lbs torque or so. I have seen other specs depending on the timing/exhaust setups but the Northstars are great engine. especially the larger Cadillac ones that came in the Eldorados and Escalades.

The 4L60E or the Turbo 400 trannies bolt up as well as the 4L30E but the 4L30E needs to be either beefed up or not pushed hard all the time aas it is at limit of torque with the 4.0 Aurora (stock) and if you add a turbo or supercharger then you must mod oro change the trans out.

Hermit