1984 Chevrolet Chevette CS from North America - Comments

Hello, I just bought a great little diesel in a badly abused chevette body. It last ran 5 yrs ago. Fresh battery //fired right up. Yes with no exhaust //no windows//no floorboards// was a trifle interesting driving home. The body heads for smelter next week, but I am putting this great motor and transmission in my Nissan P.U. on WVO. I have secondary transmission to put behind the main as I often need real deep reduction for mining use. My Nissan SD25 had about 800,000km Motor /head cracked /inj pump etc worn out. I will change water pump// timing belt//hoses etc before new instalation. Allan.

We just ended up with a 1982 Chevy chevette diesel in a trade deal and were we in for a surprise. It was indeed the ugliest car we had ever owned, but figured we could use the engine for something. Well, we are truly diesel chevette lovers now. What a great little car. A few repairs after getting it home and we are driving it 50 miles a day to and from work, and getting 50 miles to the gallon.

Does anyone know if there is a repair manual out there for the diesel? It only has 100K miles on it so we figure it is good for many a year to come.

Try looking on Ebay. I have found many rare car items there.

There was a Chilton Guide for the 1981 Chevette/Pontiac T1000 that had good info on the Diesel Chevette. I used it to work on my Chevette Diesel for PM and such.

I am pleased with my 1983 Chevy Chevette Diesel. But... I recently threw a timing belt. I am having trouble installing it. Does anyone know where to find the timing marks on the cam shaft pulley? I can't find the information in my shop manual.

Its great to see that the diesel Chevette is still appreciated. The Honda Insight and Toyota Prius are inferior cars compared to the Chevette. In the eighties my friend owned one and regularly got great mileage. Plus with the manual transmission it was definitely faster than a snail! If GM would only just make a rear wheel drive diesel powered compact car again, it would be great. BMW's 318td was a worthy successor (1995 to 2001) but it was never imported into the US.

I think the "timing mark" is the slot in the back of the cam. you've got to ensure that the camshaft is timed to TDC on the compression stroke which will line up with the slot being perfectly horizontal to the rocker box on the head. time the pump to 14degrees BTDC (i think). you can lock the cam in place with a suitable pice of material, but don't scar the gasket surface or it'll leak for sure.

I good resource for diesel chevette stuff is www.dieselchevettes.com it's run by bob watts who is a huge fan and owner of diesel chevettes.

How much experience has any one had in putting the Isuzu engine into another car? Specifically a Fiero. I know the gas model "Iron Duke" engine is a similar bolt pattern for the bell housing. How different is the Isuzu?

Dear Sirs, I am looking for a chevette diesel car to buy. Any one with a line on a car could call me at 810-265-1770 or e-mail me at wellmanelectric2aol.com.My name is Michael Wellman and I live in Michigan. Thank You.

Engine is a 4fb1

came with a turbo in japan.

4fc1 2.0, 4fd1 2.2 and 4fg1 2.4 should all fit in OK.

Manuals very hard to find.

Http://www.holdengemini.net/techforum/viewforum.php?f=55&start=0&sid=a7eb5dc480a041dd5de0208976ff45da.

Http://www.blairs.co.nz/diesel/diesel2.html.

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRt4HYkhs8U.

Http://www.scipub.org/fulltext/ajas/ajas4299-101.pdf.

The other engine that may go is the 2.8TD 4jb1T from rodeo's and jackaroos/troopers

http://www.made-in-china.com/showroom/kaiji-auto/product-detailqejnmBNwkJVy/China-Diesel-Engine-4JB1T-.html.

Manuals very hard to find.

Almost done with Chevette diesel swap to 87 S10 pick up & can't wait. I used a bigger radiator (from 4.3 L v-6), especially due to oil pan reduction because of clearance at cross-member. I added an oil cooler at the vacuum pump-to-oil pan return hose... not sure about oil volume thru cooler... need to finish exhaust & wiring...can't wait. peter 207-775-0493 Maine.