Best diesels for WVO conversion
 

Which diesels do you guys think would be best suited to run on vegetable oil? I heard somewhere that the ones with iron heads are better because of their durrability. I'm currently interested in the 1995 E300D. Also considering the91 & 92 300D 2.5 Turbo, and the 1987 300D.

RE: Best diesels for WVO conversion
 

I am 99% sure all of those have Al heads so really from what i know i would go with the 87 300D cause it has the most power the 603 in my86 300sdlwas a good motor from me it had 296k on it when i sold it.

RE: Best diesels for WVO conversion
 

check the sticky to see which models are good. after that go with that suits you best. all of them will make good conversions. if you are looking for a custom pre-fab tank there is more W123 and newer options out there than the W115 . i designed my tank for my W115 and the welding was done by a friend of mine at the local community college welding lab. everything else component wise is interchangeable. Dr. Diesel started with peanut oil i think its fair to return to his concept.

RE: Best diesels for WVO conversion
 

Isthereany difference between the 87 and 95 engines? I know the 95 isn't turbo,but is that all that accounts for the difference in power between the two models? Just bought a 95 E300D for $5k so I guess I'm going with that. Despite the fact that it has no glovebox [&o]and I will have nowhere to stash my guns and drugs, I thought it was a steal forwhat greatcondition that it's in. Also, are you sure the 95 has alluminum heads? I heard a mechanic say that the iron heads on the 95 sometimes cause rough idling. Thanks for all your help.

RE: Best diesels for WVO conversion
 

When I looked into buying my diesel (for Bio-diesel but may consider SVO some day), everyone seemed to say the same things..
1. Get a pre-1985 (iron heads) - thermal expansion of head/block same
2. Get a turbo, the non-turbo's are dogs.
3. Get the D, not the SD. The SD body is just too big and sluggish.

RE: Best diesels for WVO conversion
 

I knew forcedinduction would post. thet's clarify what WVO is if you refine it [recomend ] it is biodiesel if you run it straight it is WVO. Running it straight you have problems of diffrent acids and water plus mega filtering. If temps fall below 70*F it is harder on pumps tear up your injection pump$$$$$$ So any Benz in nice shape and you have to pay much money for is not a good WVO vehical

RE: Best diesels for WVO conversion
 

To clarify a little better:

biodiesel - a refined fuel made from vegetable oils (either WVO or SVO) that can be purchased commercially (recommend) or made at home - quality difficult to control if you make it at home, but if you buy it commercially it will not damage your car.

WVO - waste vegetable oil - has to be filtered and your car needs various modifications in order to run. this will eventually destroy your car. guys that have thought they were pretty smart have added this straight to their fuel tank or mixed it with diesel and killed their engines in less than two weeks.

SVO - straight vegetable oil - can be bought over the counter and run in a car with special modifications. if you're going to run a veggie car, this is the way to do it. however, while your car will last longer running SVO than with other "alternative" fuels, it will still lead to the destruction of your engine.

The issue of converting to a veggie car is not one of practicality or economics - you've got to collect oil and filter it and pay for the conversion to be done to your car. You give up your trunk space (unless you live someplace warm and a single tank conversion is practical), you get less mileage, less power, more pollution and you will destroy the car. Sure, in the short term it's a little cheaper, but you're guaranteed to be buying a new car in the long term. You've also got the issue of taxes to pay and it's illegal to use on any US road. Veggie-cars are just a fad and (in my opinion) a pretty stupid one at that. If you take care of your car and use the proper fuel, it will take care of you and you'll get far more enjoyment out of it and a better return for your dollar.