How much torque to push a stock K5 down the road? (on level ground)

[AJMBLAZER]

But the 350 Diesel was a terrible motor.

My mom had one in a '85 Buick something or other.

Eh, it wasn't the motor but how GM set the engine up. My FIL and others used to find those fullsize GM's with the Olds diesels, tune them down from the sounds of it, and then drive around (slowly) and get something like 40mpg on the freeway. He still wishes he could find one after the last one rotted away 15 or so years ago.
My MIL could drive it from Lansing, MI to Nashville, TN and partly back on one tank of diesel.

 

[runamok151]

I understand what you're saying... and honestly, I'm not planning to put a 3.0L motor in a truck. I'm just up (too) late and bored, LOL...

When I build a six, that's not going to be about fuel economy, although a little bump in that area would be nice, and really, in Atlanta, you lose most of your gas from stop and go. So in that case, less displacement would probably help on the city mileage, since so much time is spent idling.

Off topic...but...My goals for the six are centered around the fact that I think they're cool, not because they're necessary, or practical. I'll just be shooting for a good reliable engine that performs like a garden-variety 350 and has MPFI, with possibly a turbo for added fun when needed.

After the K5 is basically all running as it should be, I'll probably get another project, and it'll likely be a small 70's GM--preferably a Monza, but the other equivalents would do me fine (Buick Skyhawk, Pontiac Sunbird, Olds Starfire). That would be something where I'd be likely to play with a 3.0L 4cyl or small V6. That'd be my econobox.

This guy claims 36mpg highway with his...

http://detroit.en.craigslist.org/car/719788261.html

I don't know if I believe 36mpg, (thinking high 20's) but I wouldn't be entirely surprised if it hit 30. My 1980 Caprice Classic did much better than my K5 does. Probably into the mid-20's highway. I could drive for a couple of days (school-to-home and back, and hang time afterwards) on $5 of gas when it was around $1/gallon.

Edit: according to v8monza.com the V6 version would do 30mpg with a 5sp, so maybe that 4cyl version in the Craigslist ad really will do 36mpg...

Hmm...

you need to look at this, its all ready for you.
http://stjohns.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1974-Chevy-LUV-Truck-W0QQAdIdZ61045233

 

[jonrpick]

you need to look at this, its all ready for you.
http://stjohns.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1974-Chevy-LUV-Truck-W0QQAdIdZ61045233

I would actually drive that, and like it...

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Me too!

 

[BGKYK5]

Me 3!, but spending 12k on a LUV kind of defeats the purpose of saving money by saving fuel.

Eh, it wasn't the motor but how GM set the engine up. My FIL and others used to find those fullsize GM's with the Olds diesels, tune them down from the sounds of it, and then drive around (slowly) and get something like 40mpg on the freeway. He still wishes he could find one after the last one rotted away 15 or so years ago.
My MIL could drive it from Lansing, MI to Nashville, TN and partly back on one tank of diesel.

From what I remember hearing, the block and heads were not really durable enough for the higher loads of a diesel engine. Tuning them down would probably make them live longer. My dad is a diesel nut (because of the fuel economy - he's cheap ), probably 20 years ago he looked high and low for a full size diesel car to haul the family around in and finally found the Buick (used). It was OK 'till it started breaking rocker studs. After that he upgraded to a 6.2L Sub.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Yeah, apparently after you tuned them down for longevity they weren't powerhouses by any means.

 

[BGKYK5]

They weren't before either.