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Old 08-04-2007, 10:06 PM
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82LANDYACHT 82LANDYACHT is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: New Bern, NC
Posts: 16
Converting an 86 420SEL to diesel

Well, I certainly have done it now. I originally bought an 82 300SD to rehab into a WVO daily driver. The tranny wouldn't shift out of 2nd and the interior was rancid but the price was right and I was bored. Well, as luck would have it, I discovered an 86 420SEL in fabulous shape save a no start problem and a probable bad cam bearing but it came with a spare turbo diesel w/100,000 miles and questionable tranny. So, I plan on using this thread to share my conversion experience and hopefully help someone else in their endeavor by either expanding their technical knowledge with mine or staving off a fool hardy attempt. I would love to hear from anyone out there who has had a similar experience and could give some words of wisdom or convince me I am out of my mind. Step one will be next weekend when I will examine the spare tranny and engine. I am told by the previous owner that the tranny was shot but that news hasn't stopped me from diving in head first before so I plan to tear it down and rebuild it. I will be sure to take pics. As for the engine, I would love to check the compression before I install it in the 420 but I need advice on reviving and engine that has been stored for over a year. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help me with any advice you may have.
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MY RIDES:
'86 420SEL 375K (FIXING/SELLING)
'06 DODGE POWERWAGON (LOVES PETRO)

'07 CHEVY SUBURBAN (FAMILY MOBILE)

KC-130J SUPER HERCULES (COMPANY CAR)

M1-A1 MAIN BATTLE TANK (TEMP COMPANY CAR)
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