I realize the undertaking would be immense, but if I ever wanted a diesel
engine in a muscle car, it would be in a 71 Mustang fastback (my favorite
body style).  Personally, my feeling is that a biodiesel engine would
produce more interest if it was running in a nice car.  This is really just
"wishful thinking" because old mustang parts are difficult to source where I
live (Hawaii) and in the 20+ years that I've lived here, I've seen perhaps 3
of these cars (71 to 73 Mustangs) running, and only 1 in a junkyard .
Living in Hawaii, does give me an advantage for the diesel use though,
because smog checks are non-existant and BioDiesel is readily available
where I work.

I do appreciate the practicality of your statements though, and you
definately seem more knowledgable in the subject then I am (I know little
enough about gas engines and almost nothing about diesels).  If I was
serious about just getting any biodiesel vehicle running, I would most
likely go the route of a used Mercedes Diesel from Ebay.

My concept about how this entire undertaking would unfold would be as
follows:

1. Find out what sort of diesel engine is a good canidate for the swap (my
current stage)
2. Source locations in California to do the work. (My brother lives about 4
blocks from Danny Bahn's shop in Rosemead, he seems to be a quality Mustang
Modder, not sure about his diesel knowledge though).
3.  Find a chassis for around $2,000.00 (Has to be a 1971 Fastback, ideally
with the Nasa hoodscoops, cause they are neato)
4.  Depending on information gathered about question 1, find a diesel engine
to have installed (solid rebuilt diesel engine prices anyone?)
5.  Have a knowledgable person perform the engine+transmission installation
for me (I don't have a clue on how many man hours of labor this would take,
or the price of said mechanic).
6.  Install other components myself (most likely done piecemeal over the
course of few years.  Estimated cost at $6000.00+)

I feel confident about restoring/installing brakes, suspension, electrical,
vacuum, and the interior of this vehicle.  I feel your recommendation runs
along the lines of "don't jump in head first", and that's damn good advice.
I'm really only in the intelligence gathering phase, and will most likely
experiment with the used Mercedes-Biodiesel car first.  However, I was
hoping that someone would post something along the lines of "hell, the 7.3L
powerstroke uses the same motor mounts as the 428, and they go all the way
back to the 82 models that use indirect injection"

I doubt that I'll ever get out of the "wishing" stage of this project, but I
do recognize this newsgroup as being one of the better places for
information.

Thank you for your input,
Bruce Lortz

P.S. I used to have a 82 Isuzu P'up, that I got for free (with a blown head
gasket) After fixing that head gasket that engine worked great.  I ended up
giving it back to the original owner (when I got the 93 Escort), and he gave
it to his son-in-law, who turned around and sold it for an undisclosed
amount of money.  That being said, I do like the Isuzu engines (not that
I've worked with the diesels).

Did you not notice that diesel went way up too,
and has dropped more slowly than gasoline AND remains at a higher price?

Kate

Well, that too...

The supposed right of a feudal lord to have sexual relations with a vassal's
bride on her wedding night.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=2&q=droit%20du%20seigneur

droit du seigneur
SYLLABICATION: droit du seign·eur
PRONUNCIATION:   drwä dü sn-yor
NOUN: The supposed right of a feudal lord to have sexual relations with a
vassal's bride on her wedding night.
ETYMOLOGY: French : droit, right + du, of the + seigneur, lord of a manor.
http://www.bartleby.com/61/49/D0394950.html

Unfortunately, I live on Oahu, and  I've not heard of any ethanol available
here (although they are trying to produce and ethanol plant down at the
Cambell Industrial Park area).  But BioDiesel is available right now.

Regarding Ritz's post above:  Yes, I've kicked around the idea of buying a
used Mercedes Diesel (1995 range) from E-bay, and experimenting with
BioDiesel.  My funds aren't a HUGE worry to me, but they are finite.  More
important to me is space, I have a two car garage, and enough space for two
extra vehicles in the driveway.  This would prevent me from maintaining two
project vehicles in the garage.

Right now, I've been toying with the idea of using my Escort as a "trial
run" for a biodiesel swap.  If I can source one of the UK 2.0liter Diesels,
this may allow me to whet my teeth on this sort of project.  I already have
the chassis.  I just need an engine now (and knowledge, intelligence, etc
etc).  That being said, perhaps it would be better to look into having a
german made Escort/Focus sent to me with a diesel engine (Although I'm
positive there wouuld be tedious import laws and regulations to work with).

But as always, thank you for your input,
Bruce Lortz