I am in the middle of buying a 1979 Dodge truck with the rare mitsubishi diesel. I don't see much information anywhere on these engines. Does anyone know a good source for mechanical information and what are some problem areas?

thanks!

 

Sorry I can't be of any help, I do not know of any places where you can get information on it, you might have to scour the web for an applicable forum for that kind of info.

 

Well I bought it. It was actually a 1978. There is hardly any rust. The problem is it uses more oil than it does diesel. I don't think it burns much but just simply leaks out. Anyway, now the quest to find parts...eek

 

How's it run? I know they aren't anything like a modern diesel, but can it at least get out of it's way?

 

tell you the truth you may want to talk with the guys on ramchargercentral.com. there is lots of diesel guys over there that might be a bit more helpful with this engine.

 

Even then, there isn't much info on RCC. Mad Max on there had two for sale and I intended to buy one (engines only) but decided against it since I didn't have a truck for it.

There is minimal info on them, yes it's a 78, I don't believe it was offered later. It'd be cool to have one just to say you did.

 

there is more guy on RCC that would have info on it than the guys that hang around here. i know RCC is one of the most active forum for 93 and older dodge trucks that i know of. most 1st gen sections on dodge truck forums are usually pretty dead.

 

Hmm...well it runs. You have to plan pretty far ahead for just about everything. Brakes suck. But it's 0-60 is, no lie, about 2 minutes. Car coming? Yes. How far? Quarter mile. That's too close.

It's interesting. Love the body style. It gets about 25 mpgs. But that was my highway only trip home. It rolls coal constantly. It was funny for the first mile or so but it's rather annoying now. People next to the tail pipe get super pissed. And it uses more oil than an Iraqi oil field.

 

the brakes not working that great could be lack of maintenance or possibly just how they are designed since i know most diesels don't have a vacuum source and usually have a vacuum pump.

if you are constantly rolling coal maybe someone has adjusted something too far. maybe it could use a turbo?

 

Very true, RCC is a great place with a lot of info available.

Tom, any way you could grab some vids of the truck, maybe idling and driving?