Author Topic: Converting gas body over to diesel (Read 7994 times)

Rat407 · « **on:** August 30, 2005, 05:36:23 am »

I was wondering how hard it would be to put a 1.6 TD into a gas body rabbit, Golf, or Jetta? Is it worth it and is it hard to do? I can find gas body vehicles all day long but no diesels.
Thanks

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2005, 10:10:06 am »

not too difficult, but of course it would be better to start with a diesel body.

i'd disconnect the fuel return at the tank, and run the car until bone dry and it stalls out. i'd probably fill the tank 1/2 full with diesel or something and then pop the hose off the bottom of the tank, drain out that gas-fouled diesel (or have the tank properly flushed, but if you need to remove the tank, the rear beam has to be dropped).

you'd have to get rid of the CIS fuel pump from under the car and just fill the gap with fuel line. you'll need to run fuel line to where you need it from the fuel line feed and return at the firewall, passenger side.

i'd probably pick up a diesel gauge cluster meant for your car, that plugs into the wiring harness you have for the engine you are installing. ideally i'd get the fusebox, wiring, gauges, engine, all from the same donor. make sure you get the wiring and fuse holder for the glow plugs as well. the advance knob and cable wouldn't be a bad thing to get from the donor either.

there's probably more but that will get it running..

Rat407 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2005, 03:04:23 pm »

Thanks, That is a start and some things I didn't think about untill you mentioned them.

Master ACiD · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2005, 07:40:36 pm »

is there any way to fit a vw truck diesel tank under a gasser rabbit to replace the gas tank and lines?

vwmike · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2005, 08:53:24 pm »

Quote from: "Master ACiD"

is there any way to fit a vw truck diesel tank under a gasser rabbit to replace the gas tank and lines?

I think that's gonna be a no.

Master ACiD · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2005, 09:22:10 pm »

well maybe it will fit in the trunk?

vwmike · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2005, 10:00:27 pm »

Quote from: "Master ACiD"

well maybe it will fit in the trunk?

Maybe, but why? There is no reason you can't use the gasser tank.

Master ACiD · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2005, 12:24:16 am »

im having bad thoughts about the gasser sending unit and seals not being compatible with diesel. espically the fuel filler etc.

i once dripped a bit of diesel on some gas line and it swelled up to twice its size and got all soft. i would hate to see that happen with rubber gastank parts?

fatmobile · « **Reply #8 on:** August 31, 2005, 12:29:50 am »

Yep the fuel tank is the same. Gas or diesel.
The filler hole on a gas car won't fit the diesel nozzle at the station but the restriction can be removed pretty easily.
I can't picture a caddy tank fitting under a Rabbit very well.

fatmobile · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2005, 12:32:17 am »

I think the A2 radiators are different so if you are swapping it into an A2 gas Jetta you'll have to grab the right radiator.

fillmore · « **Reply #10 on:** September 03, 2005, 05:13:54 pm »

hey what about wiring up glow plugs to the ignition? and my diesel has standard steering but the gas body im using was equiped with power steering so if i didnt change the rack would it just be like drivivng a standard steering car cause its not hooked up to a pump or would it be like having no power steering belt and almost impossible to steer, i think ive got everything else covered for my transition just these things need to be addressed

Master ACiD · « **Reply #11 on:** September 04, 2005, 04:46:53 pm »

i just won this car on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=7996477336&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT

i talked to the seller and the car has a nearly rust and dent free body. i plan to swap all the diesel related parts into this car and run some homemade biodiesel.

zyewdall · « **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2005, 10:49:20 am »

I'm currently putting a 1.6NA in a 1991 GTI gasser. So far the diesel's sitting on the garage floor, and the gasser and it's ECU have been ripped out of the GTI. I'll post pictures in the coming months as I get the diesel put in.

For glow plugs, I'm just going to use a momentary pushbutton switch on the dash. And for power steering, I'm just disconnecting it -- a rabbit is light enough that it should be okay, and I don't like the feel of power steering on the highway anyway. I drove my old subaru with the power steering unhooked for a few months and once you got used to it, it was fine.

VWRacer · « **Reply #13 on:** September 07, 2005, 10:55:38 am »

Those are sweet cars, Acid! The 84's are the last year of the Mk1 and have all the evolutionary improvements to that series without all the weight of the Mk2.

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #14 on:** September 07, 2005, 11:27:51 am »

don't want to go too far off topic here (maybe you can PM me..) but what evolutionary improvements are you refering to? there was an evolution of the mkI, but i don't know if i'd tie the word 'improvements' in with that. just curious.