Convert GAS Briggs V-Twin to DIESEL?

[Craftsman Garage]

Alright, I'm gonna cut the chit chat and get to the question: COULD I convert my Briggs and Stratton V-Twin (445677) to use Diesel Fuel? It seems feasible to me. Would the oem carburetor work, or would I have to somehow make it fuel-injected? I think that if I replace the spark plugs with glow plugs, maybe get oversize rings or something else to increase the compression, and probably mess with the timing a bit, it should run. Any Ideas? Any diesel techs out there? I would probably have to get billet rods too. TIA

 

[StarTech]

Going from 7-8 to 1 to 14-16 to 1 compression will cost lot more than just getting a regular built diesel engine. You basically got to double the stroke will require custom built crankshaft and new rod longer rods. Plus there is just not cylinder stroke area to achieve this.

 

[Rocky J]

GM got that idea in the late 70s . 5.7 ended up in a class action lawsuit , they never stopped the head bolts from breaking after three attempts , all different crankshafts from breaking, reengineered injector pumps with timing advance in them so they would start below 35 degrees, all the accessory brackets broke from vibration. If you want to try a conversion look at propane . Tried and true and proven and plenty of you tube videos .

 

[Skippydiesel]

Not a good idea - while it might be possible to get it to run (after much costly effort) it will not run for long. Diesel engines are designed, from the start, to accommodate much higher compression (needed for spontaneous ignition) and what is essentially a life of pre ignition, that would destroy a petrol engine quick smart.

 

[slomo]

Just asking why would you want a Diesel? Every one must be turbocharged. Try and run one without a turbo. Remember the old 240 D Benz Diesels. What a total dog. Course you couldn't kill those engines with a bucket of sand in the oil sump.

My opinion, Diesel torque ratings, you divide by 2 to compare to a gas motor in torque. I had a mid 70's Ford F150 with the 460 V-8 in it. Gentle warm over on the motor. Mild RV cam, Performer intake and 750 Holley. Headers and 3" duals. It would embarrass any of today's Diesel trucks. Guessing mine was 300hp and 500 ft lbs.

Diesels hold 2-3 times the oil. Same with filters. Have you priced some of these new filters yet? Coolant filters slash every fluid on the truck filter. Just wait till the turbo goes out or some injectors. I know a ton of people that went from Diesels to gas. Don't have to "look" for Diesel fuel or drive out of your way to a truck stop. Couple friends have fleets. They are kicking themselves for not doing it earlier. They listened to all the hype on TV.

Okay back to mowers. Enough of my rant.

 

[Skippydiesel]

Just asking why would you want a Diesel? Every one must be turbocharged. Try and run one without a turbo. Remember the old 240 D Benz Diesels. What a total dog. Course you couldn't kill those engines with a bucket of sand in the oil sump.

My opinion, Diesel torque ratings, you divide by 2 to compare to a gas motor in torque. I had a mid 70's Ford F150 with the 460 V-8 in it. Gentle warm over on the motor. Mild RV cam, Performer intake and 750 Holley. Headers and 3" duals. It would embarrass any of today's Diesel trucks. Guessing mine was 300hp and 500 ft lbs.

Diesels hold 2-3 times the oil. Same with filters. Have you priced some of these new filters yet? Coolant filters slash every fluid on the truck filter. Just wait till the turbo goes out or some injectors. I know a ton of people that went from Diesels to gas. Don't have to "look" for Diesel fuel or drive out of your way to a truck stop. Couple friends have fleets. They are kicking themselves for not doing it earlier. They listened to all the hype on TV.

Okay back to mowers. Enough of my rant.

Had a W123 240D, 3 x W123 300D's and a W116 240D - LOOOVE diesel.
While the naturally aspirated variants are very sloooow to accelerate - man do they just keep going! 160 kph, noooo problemo! and as solid on the road at that speed, as they are at 60 kph. One of my 300Ds was a station wagon 5 speed factory manual. Fully laden (adults & gear for a weak on the road), high speed cruising, 7 L/100 kilometres ( 33 miles /gal?) - this in a 1985 built vehicle!!!!

• Your generalisations on oil capacity/filters is BS.
• Your statement on turbo charging is also BS - while a turbo will generally improve a diesels performance (just like a petrol) is not actually required.
• Diesel engines, of the same swept capacity, will in general outperform & use less fuel than a petrol when it comes to work (torque) - not many petrol trucks & tractors around these days.
• Car (petrol) drivers do not, in general, like the lower acceleration of diesels, the smell of the fuel & exhaust and the usually higher purchase price.
• Diesel engines will usually outlast their petrol equivalent - the exception being where the manufacture tries to achieve petrol type exceleration/weight /cost. These engines have a troubled history & are most often rubbish. Dont purchase a diesel if you \want to get burning rubber at the traffic lights.
• For a diesel powered vehicle variant to be cost effective, you must be doing high mileage or towing/carrying (working)
• Industrial equipment (large mowers, etc) are usually diesel due to the better torque characteristics of the engine & the lower fuel consumption.
• In service time, injectors/turbos will wear out, no matter petrol or diesel.
• What the uneducated /fashion/market driven public do/purchase is little indication of any products actual worth.

In short you don't actually know what you are talking about

 

[slomo]

Your generalisations on oil capacity/filters is BS.

Go open the hood of any heavy duty 18 wheeler truck. Count filters and "gallons" of oil required. Report back here with your findings.

Your statement on turbo charging is also BS - while a turbo will generally improve a diesels performance (just like a petrol) is not actually required.

We both know, any non turbo Diesel is a dog. Sounds like we've driven them both. You also agreed with my statement on the lack of zip with them.

Car (petrol) drivers do not, in general, like the lower acceleration of diesels, the smell of the fuel & exhaust and the usually higher purchase price.

Agree. Also the extra expense of DEF fluid is a turn off.

In service time, injectors/turbos will wear out, no matter petrol or diesel.

I typically drive Toyota's. Never needed any injectors nor turbos. Another benefit of a gas vehicle.

In short you don't actually know what you are talking about

Finally something I DO agree with LOL.

 

[Skippydiesel]

Slomo - try comparing similar capacity/ roles with similar - when did you last check out a petrol "18 wheeler truck"

"We both know, any non turbo Diesel is a dog." If it's a "dog" , a 300D (non turbo) cruising economically at 100 mph may be a greyhound. Horses for courses - want a sports car don't buy a diesel. Want economy/torque/ great highway cruiser/performance, all in one package, buy a diesel turbo or non turbo (not many around these days). The turbo part just increases the volumetric efficiency/power to weight ratio. Can either use a smaller engine to do same job or use increased power to move greater load.

"..typically drive Toyota's" Diesel or petrol ? Either way what you not mentioned is the distance /years of service. My last diesel, a Daihatsu Rocky 2.8 Turbo, (basicly a Toyota) had done 750000 kms, of trouble free service (never opened the engine) before being prematurely retired by a a young man driving his car into the side of mine.

"...the extra expense of DEF fluid is a turn off." Hadn't thought of that. We call it "Add Blue" My Sons new Ford Everest uses it - cant remember the consumption rate but he did tell me one small tank full, lasts for many thousands of kilometres, so the expense is minimal but still likly to be annoying.

 

[Craftsman Garage]

Ok, if I “need a turbo”, couldn’t I just fab a RHB31 to it? Also, I thought diesel’s were shorter strokes..

 

[Skippydiesel]

Ok, if I “need a turbo”, couldn’t I just fab a RHB31 to it? Also, I thought diesel’s were shorter strokes..

Diesels vary just like petrols.
In general they are likly to have a longer stroke, than petrol & deliver torque at lower rpm.
Not a diesel expert but am aware that diesels that rev over about 1700 rpm are considered high speed. Big trucks are loping along at under 1500 rpm. Small vehicles (cars, utes & vans) usually deliver max torque at around 18-2200 rpm