That is too bad. Mercedes made another I5 turbo diesel that put out only 30 hp less than the 4.3 6 but about the same torque. He might want to try that one. Nissan makes a diesel TD42ti that is 4.2 liters and an I6. I am guessing that because it is about the same size as the 4BT but is 6 cylinders instead of 4, it will be quite a bit shorter than it, so radical lists should not be necessary. Performance specs are similar to the V6 I have been following diesel conversions for quite a while now. The size of the engine is one of the drawbacks, but the weight is also an issue. Our 'stros are only half ton, and it is weight that directly sits on top of the front axle, something that is already a little overweight. Is there any way to beef up the front end for an extra 200-300 pounds?
Mercedes 616/617 turbo diesel Astro build
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I miss this one it was a good project. it was alive for a little bit.tinworm said:
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Update-
12 years later I still have this van and have decided to make it run again (eventually). I was prompted by the discovery of all my old pictures of this project on an older external hard drive, so also intend to try and get a lot of the pictures back up on this thread. All were lost in the photobucket thing back in 17.
The van has spent the last 8 years living in a shed, and the only part I stole off it was the drivers seat, so if I can remember anything of where I was on this project, then I should be able to pick up up where I stopped once I clean 8 years of mouse crap out of it.
Here is its current state-
12 years later I still have this van and have decided to make it run again (eventually). I was prompted by the discovery of all my old pictures of this project on an older external hard drive, so also intend to try and get a lot of the pictures back up on this thread. All were lost in the photobucket thing back in 17.
The van has spent the last 8 years living in a shed, and the only part I stole off it was the drivers seat, so if I can remember anything of where I was on this project, then I should be able to pick up up where I stopped once I clean 8 years of mouse crap out of it.
Here is its current state-
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I remember this build, but it was a red one , correct?
Mine was 14 years in the ched, started a few weeks ago with the build
Mine was 14 years in the ched, started a few weeks ago with the build
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959 Posts
I think you might be thinking of coyoteX build maybe. Ironically both our vans were burgundy, but i painted the outside of mine green
His was complete with a 6.5 diesel installed out of a G series van
1 Ton 94 Astro. 6.5L, 4l80e, 14 bolt swap project starting.
Well I have been accumulating parts for a little while now. But I get a week off for thanksgiving so I might as well get started on it now. This weekend I am stripping down the G30 donor van. Next weekend I start fitting the motor and trans into the Astro. I figure the motor and trans will be...
www.astrosafari.com
Your time frame gives me hope!
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The biggest dimensional change i had to make was height, mostly for removing the valve cover inside the engine compartment, i needed huge clearance above for that deep cover.
What i ended up doing was a 4 inch subframe lift, then installing drop spindles to drop the lift down to 2 inches.
Im not familiar with the 605 and 606, i dont think they have the same super deep valve cover do they?
Lengthwise the 617 fit perfectly, just had to make changes for the taller engine.
EDIT- i should clarify that the 616 and probably the 617 fit in the engine compartment height wize without any modification, apart from the impossibility of removing valve covers.
Do you have a Body lift on yours? I have a 3" front body lift on mine, so I'm thinking I may do the OM617. Cheaper and easier to come by. Finally how is the driving with the 617? Is it sluggish?
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I never put many miles on the van with the 617, i had a vibration issue from improper balancing and it was geared wrong for the half powered 616. I needed to put the original diff back in.
I have a 4 inch body lift and 2 inch drop spindles.
I have a 4 inch body lift and 2 inch drop spindles.
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1,585 Posts
I hope to see the pictures again. I really enjoyed watching the build and hope you get her back up. 👍🏼
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Thanks!
Im in the middle of constructing myself a dinky little shop space and the first thing im intending to do is finally get this van running.
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