Diesel in a Model A

[Keith True]

Diesel never really was much cheaper,if at all.It just looked it at the pump.We always had to file our quarterly fuel reports,and send in the tax.In the early 80's it was about 22 cents per gallon.We had to figure the mileage per state traveled in,and pay each state.That is why it was never collected at the pump back then.In the late 80's they went to apportioned plates.The tax was collected at the pump,it was about 25 cents by then,and we filed our fuel reports stating how many miles traveled in each state.Then the state doles it out to the others according to our reports.I went through the red fuel thing a few years ago.I carried a copy of the law after that.It states colored fuel shall be basis for sampling and testing,and not the basis for a fine.Thousands of us used a quart of ATF in each tank at fillups.I never got to see a guy in a black robe about it,I got a letter saying my citation was without merit.My old boss got nailed for around $10,000.His driver had put about 50 gallons of untaxed high sulfur fuel in the dump truck,he used the wrong pump at the shop.He had purchased 2000 gallons of untaxed off road fuel,so the feds figured he had traveled 12000 miles on it with the truck.Not true but there was no way to disprove it.They're starting to bother the veggie oil boys a little too.We're supposed to be paying road tax on miles traveled in those greasecars too.Most are not even aware of that,and the few I know of that are aware are doing nothing until caught.If I had a greasecar that's the category I would be in.

 

[Purdy Swoft]

Though I like the sound of a 318 Detroit winding out the gears, Diesel cars and pickups never thrilled me in the least. I never fretted much over mpg in a fun car. . I never liked the smell of diesel or the rattling sound of the engine. I'm a do em like you want em guy so this is just my personal feelings. If you are a diesel mechanic and like them, diesel could be the way to go. I don't know much about diesel engines. I can fix my model A engines myself. Diesel mechanic work would be expensive. With a few period correct mods, my model A will run plenty fast. If I ever changet to a modern 4 cylinder engine I would go with a Chevy Iron Duke and a 39 transmission.

 

[MrTube]

Though I like the sound of a 318 Detroit winding out the gears, Diesel cars and pickups never thrilled me in the least. I never fretted much over mpg in a fun car. . I never liked the smell of diesel or the rattling sound of the engine. I'm a do em like you want em guy so this is just my personal feelings. If you are a diesel mechanic and like them, diesel could be the way to go. I don't know much about diesel engines. I can fix my model A engines myself. Diesel mechanic work would be expensive. With a few period correct mods, my model A will run plenty fast. If I ever changet to a modern 4 cylinder engine I would go with a Chevy Iron Duke and a 39 transmission.

Before anyone makes the comment "modern diesels don't smell" keep in mind ONE DROP of diesel on anything and it will stink for weeks. One drip on your hand while filling up and what a joy the ride home will be. In fact you will enjoy that nice fragrance even after washing your hands 500 times.


Bought our house last year and it had an oil burner in it piped into a plugged chimney. Besides the house stinking from that I learned every little drip I got on something would stink for weeks. Just finished the project finally last week when the oil tank went byebye.

Natural gas, sure, if not vented you won't know it and it will kill you, but at least you will still smell fresh.

 

[jrapose]

My main attraction to the Opel 2.3 diesel was the amazing mileage and the torque curve...it has roughly the same torque curve as the stock A motor yet will wind up to over 6000 if pushed...where the stock motor runs out at about 2200rpm... so I can easily maintain 60-65mph for hours with some power in reserve if needed...plus get 40 plus mpg... yes, it is noisy at idle...rattles and bangs...but above idle it is almost silent...I don't mind the smell (only on a cold morning when it smokes a tad while cold).... it was a fairly easy bolt-in process...plus it is lots of fun..

The Opel diesel is only sold in Europe, I think my motor is a 1976 model... I have a turbo from a Vauxhal but not sure if I want to hook it up...Vauxhal...and Bedford is Opel in England.
The conversion makes a really nice daily driver out of my work car roadster..I also never use RED diesel.... I just don't like cheating ...(I believe in paying taxes)
but that is the Boy Scout in me...

Joel in Chester..