Gas Vs Diesel for US Expo rig?

[RHINO]

As for starting a diesel without a battery, how is that done?

you start it the same way as a gas engine, either jump or push, what he was referring to was the ability for a mechanical diesel to run completely separate from a battery or any electric power source. on my rig i can shut the ignition off and remove the key while driving and continue to drive anywhere for as long as i need to, likewise i can physically remove the battery and do the same.
this of course is a nill factor in the decision for gas or diesel IMOP, but its kinda cool knowing you can for that .000001% chance it will happen.

 

[prado t]

As for the question, Diesel of cource! It all depends on what vehicle you have to use. I have run pure olive oil, kerosene, 20w50 engine oil,NUTO 32 hydraulic oil and so on In emergencies for that extra 20 miles.

 

[roscoFJ73]

As for starting a diesel without a battery, how is that done?

Diesels can be started with compressed air or explosive charges,obviously you need special conversions to do this. The latter was common in the old days and compressed air is used on most of the big rigs.
Old Caterpillar diesels were started with a small petrol engine that spun the diesel engine until it had enough compression to ignite the diesel(North Korean tractors still do it this way)
There is a few on Youtube

 

[sandcruiser]

love the idea of adapting an air starter to an hd-t. The whirr alone would be worth it. Almost.

 

[roscoFJ73]

I looked into it ,and while the starter side of it is feasible,the air tank is a bit cumbersome.

 

[sandcruiser]

how big of air tank is needed?

 

[Dave 2000]

you start it the same way as a gas engine, either jump or push, what he was referring to was the ability for a mechanical diesel to run completely separate from a battery or any electric power source. on my rig i can shut the ignition off and remove the key while driving and continue to drive anywhere for as long as i need to, likewise i can physically remove the battery and do the same.
this of course is a nill factor in the decision for gas or diesel IMOP, but its kinda cool knowing you can for that .000001% chance it will happen.

Bit late on the reply but X2 with the above

With the older (manual) diesels you can remove:

Batteries
Starter motor
Alternator

give it a push and it will keep going untill you run out of fuel or stall it which incidently is harder to do with a diesel, now you know how I think right?

regards

Dave

 

[EricW]

My Opinion since in the US and South America:

X 2 in the 350 Conversion. Parts are every where, engine is lighter, and the power is greater, mine is carbureted with a quadrajet (which are also everywhere) that has smaller primaries so I get decent mileage (about 9-12 at 60-65MPg) but massive secondaries coupled with 202 heads (in case I need the power), "advance adapters" are expensive, but they are readily availble used.

The idea is that you can tear this thing out in the middle of no where if you need to.

I am not gonna lie, I always wanted a diesel though

Eric

 

[e9999]

veggie oil, extended range tanks and all are cute but hardly compelling arguments for range issues, IMO.

You gonna do real expo, you gonna have a real roof rack. Put 6 NATO jerry cans up there, another 300 miles of range for all of $100 worth of cans that you can remove, move around, loan out, use for your lawn mower etc. Doesn't get any more flexible than that.

 

[cruiser_guy]

My Opinion since in the US and South America:

X 2 in the 350 Conversion. Parts are every where, engine is lighter, and the power is greater, mine is carbureted with a quadrajet (which are also everywhere) that has smaller primaries so I get decent mileage (about 9-12 at 60-65MPg) but massive secondaries coupled with 202 heads (in case I need the power), "advance adapters" are expensive, but they are readily availble used.

The idea is that you can tear this thing out in the middle of no where if you need to.

US and Mexico yes, further south not so much.

 

[1tontoy]

The likely reality is that its not going to be something major or 'catastrophic' that breaks. Its going to be hoses, seals, or rubber parts that fail. They may be engine parts, but could also be trans/clutch or steering or wheel bearing/hub. Make sure you don't overheat. But, even a toyota engine with a blown head gasket will run forever.

My $.02, keep the 80 stock drivetrain. If you need more HP, add exhaust (don't know why you would need HP...especially in MX, you won't be driving fast). Don't do a supercharger because they need high octane petrol to run right. Don't spend money on engine swap (unless you really want to) and save the money for the trip and excursions along the way or to make your trip longer or happen sooner. The vehicle will make it stock drivetrain (maybe a locker) with some creature comforts and small suspension lift. K.I.S.S.