Customs This 1959 bel air should get you all worked up!!!

Ok, i've started the project, but just barely. here is the plan, i'm sure this one will be a long thread ;-) I'm putting a 1978 (I think) mercedes turbo-diesel drivetrain in my 1959 bel-air 4 door. It's a pretty straight car, but the engine and 3 speed tranny were needing rebuilt. As I love diesel engines and I love the big finned bel air... why not combine them. I should be getting 30mpg + out of this critter with comparable power to the old 235.

What I have done so far is get the diesel running in the mercedes so it will be much easier to diagnose problems when it's put in the bel-air. And i've pulled the engine/tranny from my bel air. I may have to do something about the steering, but I'm hoping it will fit. that's all, I haven't even opened up the can of worms for putting them together yet, but i'm pretty good so we'll see.

I know this is a total hack job and it probably won't look good under the hood, but who cares when you're getting 30mpg and doing it on old veggie oil?

I know that it's totally out of the norm, but that's what I like. By the way, does anyone need a really nice 78 mercedes body?

Questions? Comments? Advice?

 

You, my friend, are a glutton for punishment...

 

yeah, I am... but it will definitely be an interesting ride when it's finished. That is if you can stand the smell of old veggie oil long enough to check it out!

 

Oh Shit...I'm already worked up

 

The 59 chevy is by far my favorite car and I am not much of a diesel guy, however this is going to be interesting. Good luck keep it posted.

 

i predict this thread will go down in a big ball of hooey

 

Are you going to run it on BioDiesel too???|

 

That's just sad!!!! At least you're not fuckin up a 2dr,LOL....

 

for sure i'll keep this thread updated from time to time. I didn't post any pics because there's really no reason to yet, all I have for this one is the mercedes and a bel air in need of alot of attention. I love to keep them original, but this bel air was gutted interior-wise and the engine and tranny were shot. One thing about these old big finned bel air's though. They will pick up off of the ground at 90mph+ I shit you not, the only time this car was running worth a flip I pushed it up to 90 and the rear end picked up and set down in the other lane, I thought I was dead... Hence my reluctance to put a 350 or something like that in it.

 

I understand your woes... I agree it is totally fucking up this car, but hey i've got lots of classic cars and this one will be my personal, only to be sold if someone is stupid enough to buy it ;-)

 

haha yeah I am, I made biodiesel for a while. Check out my bio on here, you'll get a kick out of the hippie pic then

 

I'm almost Speechless. If you were my Kid I'd take you out back and, ah Hell. That wouldn't fix anything either. Well, I've seen bigger messes made in better Cars then a 58 Bel Air. At least it's a 4 door.
To each there own. Now I'm craving French Fries.
The Wizzard

 

EXCUSE ME... it's a 1959 bel air ;-)

 

If you already Know someone else would half to be Stupid to buy it, what does that make you for building it?

 

I think it sounds like a project with a capitol P. I think those turbo diesel mercedes engines are pretty great, but I don't think much of that self leveling suspension or whatever the heck they are.

Drop that engine in that bel aire...can't be any slower than it was in the M, can it?

Take pics and keep us posted!

Hmmm I guess its not very traditional, probably better on hotrodders.com, but regardless sounds neat.

 

I can't answer that... I tried to come up with something snappy, but... Definitely getting in a whole mess to do it, but i'm not really planning on selling it. I want it for my everyday car. Big problem will be when it breaks down on a road-trip. sure as hell can't take it to most shops, and diesel repairs are hard to do roadside.

 

The only thing Snappy I can come up with is Best of Luck to ya Kid. Different is OK.
The Wizzard

 

yeah I am usually an all original, don't screw anything up kind of guy, but it's something want to try. as far as slow, well maybe not so slow, ever hear of PROPANE INJECTION!!! hahaha, but then i'm back to my problem of the ass end lifting off the ground. I'll for sure have to raise the rear and lower the front just a smidge.

 

how about a duramax? MMM....Always wanted to do a 59 caddy with a dmax. But cool idea man, let us know how it turns out.

 

well, i'm more of a powerstroke guy myself, although i like how quiet the duramax's are. I had thought of that, but trying to shoehorn one of those big bastards in the engine compartment seemed a little too daunting. I had though of it though. there are some guys in california that are making mid-engine supercars using the big american turbodiesels.

 

I'd like to see how it comes out. Post it when you're done...

 

I think it's an interesting idea. I've been intrigued by this idea ever since the guy posted his intentions of using a V8 Benz diesel. It's your car to mess up any way you see fit. Go for it, it's just a parts car to most guys anyway.

 

Good luck with your project! Post some pics of your progress as well I thought about dropping a Cummin's 4bt into my 53 F250, but couldn't locate an affordable oil burner

 

The only thing worse than a hillbilly wasting a perfectly good car, is a hillbilly KNOWING that he's wasting a perfectly good car.

 

I don't know at the moment if I'm proud that your from North Carolina OR not...

I'll have to whole my praise until I see how it turns out........

Fries.........WHAT...........Fries

 

oh man....at least its not a vw rabbit motor or something like that. it would be weird at the cruise night to hear that clankin old heap roll up with a little turbo whistle.

best o' luck to ya.

 

this is a fail waiting to happen.

 

HAHAHAHAHA good thing Ralph nader never rode with ya...how did he go after all the corvairs and never saw this problem???

 

Hey man, All this talk and no pics??? Please at least post some pics of the bel air at this time. Otherwise all I have to look at is hot air.
P.s. If your gonna junk that motor or trans, I could use it here in chicago....thanks.

 

Diesels stink and they are noisy as hell as well and not in a charming way. Not sure a big old American car sounding and smoking like an old garbage truck will be all that great - even if it is running french fry oil. But, if that is what you want to do, hell, go ahead I guess.