Favorite and/or most effective modifications

[herm]

diesel, probably no electronic injectors..

[RedylC94]

Definitely not electronic.
Injection pump driven by the timing belt.

[TheStepChild]

Have you looked into a wvo setup?

[worthywads]

Originally Posted by Apabob

Also thinking of putting a hole in my hood wit an air scoop to help minutely increase intake pressure and so power/efficiency. I think that will cost bout $10. Ive always been under the impression that cold air was better for both power and FE. I understand that isnt the case? Just thought the more oxygen rich dense/cold air being rammed into the intake at a higher pressure would be the next best thing to a turbo for my little diesel...
Im totally confused

In a nut shell, more power almost always means more fuel. A ram hood scoop and cold air can help make more power, not more efficiency. The idea that making more power makes more efficiency and if you don't use the power your mpg goes up is not true.

Intake, exhaust, it's that same, no gain in mpg.

Turbo's advantage is sizing a smaller engine for when power isn't needed, but power when it is. By itself turbocharging will only make an engine use more gas.

Confusing because old myths die hard and false claims seem more appealing.

[RedylC94]

Do you have a block heater? Considering your location, that might help a lot in cold weather.

Worthwads is correct about the cold intake and turbo. Generally the only time "making more power makes more efficiency" is when the added power is obtained by reducing friction or other drag.

My brother had a '74 Dasher, the first year. That was a great overall design by the standards of its day (or even ours in some respects), spoiled by a few designed-in serious defects.

[TheStepChild]

Idk guys. My Fe doesn't suffer with the power turned up. And I'm using less of the go pedal cruising the highway with the truck making 441 HP vs 360.

And when I had the diesel van, tossed a ecm tune and exhaust on it Fe went up if I drove normal.

[herm]

Originally Posted by TheStepChild

Idk guys. My Fe doesn't suffer with the power turned up.

Diesels sure are different.. and the lines are blurring with Skiactive and atkinson stuff.. pretty soon you wont see another butterfly valve... throw in advanced hypermiler techniques and it gets more complicated.

[PaleMelanesian]

Would a vacuum gauge be at all useful on this old diesel? I know it's not much use on modern diesels but I have no idea about an old non-turbo engine. If it works, it would be a useful gauge for adjusting acceleration rates - I like 12-13 psi MAP or 85% load in my gasser.

[Apabob]

Thanks for the input, everybody.

I do use a block heater. Got it plugged to a timer that goes on bout an hour and 45 mins before i leave in the morn. Cycle the glow plugs for 3 seconds( wit a manual control ) and of course pull the choke ( fuel timing advance actually ), motor fires up instantly no matter how cold it is.

The Dasher is super simple, same engine as rabbits. Mechanically driven/timed bosch fuel pump. I can barely make a post on this forum, so EFI intimidates me. Eventually i will venture into that territory tho, cuz im very curious bout it, an a little embarrassed that i dont know squat about it.

I have been collecting parts for a homebuilt wvo conversion and actually have 90% of everything together now. Was planning on installing it on the dasher but my wife drives a 120 mile( round trip) commute 4 days a week so im putting an 82 diesel volvo station wagon together for her and ill prob set it up for wvo 1st. Just got the straight 6 naturally aspirated vw diesel engine home last nite. Its beautiful. Going to get the car 2day. Its HUGE.
Take blowed-up engine out
Plumb in wvo system
Put mystery engine in
Pray to the gods
Beg the alien overlords for mercy
Sacrifice a squirrell to the ancestral spirits
Turn key...

[Apabob]

Im not sure, Andrew but you read my mind. If it would work, i think it would be a hugely useful tool for me, prob the most sensible and cost effective at this point too.

Ive gotta do some research.