[VAL] Re: VAL Digest V3 #36/diesel AS M/H's

[estatewagons@xxxxxxx]

Daisy - if you start a history file on diesel AS motor homes - it would 
be interesting to learn if in the early days they used anything other 
than the Isuzu diesel.

I had a pair of 4 cylinder Isuzu's (natural intake) in my boat.  They 
were bullet proof - but very noisy and rough.  In fact to be fair - they 
were I think 1970's models - but their design went back to the 1940's.

I don't know which Isuzu was in the AS models - I assume they were inline 6's.

In the early 80's the choice of small commercial RV useable diesels was 
very limited compared to today - and it would be interesting to know what 
diesels might retrofit into the early AS motorhomes.

I am not factoring in the financial angle of a swap/upgrade at this point - 
just looking at the potential.

There weren't many "small" V-8 diesels in the 70's and early 80's that were 
commercial grade.  (definitely not the 6.2 GM's)  The Caterpillar "3208" was 
popular in the Bluebird Wanderlodges.  It was a front engine application (as 
in the AS) and probably was used due to it's small dimensions (compared to 
say an
8V-71 GMC or a 6V-71 GMC).

One thing to keep in mind about the 3208's if you should encounter one - 
while good engines - they were nicknamed the "throw away diesel" - or in 
the boat world "the boat anchor diesel"...as their design did not include 
wet-sleeved cylinders which allowed for extensive latitude when being rebuilt 
(like the GM's)

No doubt weight and cost had a lot to do with which engines were used too.

Nowadays - there are so many interesting diesels out there to consider for 
retro-fitting.

I happen to be a John Deere fan - they are truly smooth running - in 
comparison to some of the older style designs.  And...as Gerald mentioned - 
John Deere is now including biodiesel in their delivery of complete rigs.  
Unfortunately they are off-highway and marine oriented at this time.  The 
on-highway engines they offer are alternative fuel CNG/LNG models.

RL