Diesel conversion driving report

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Roman
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 4:47 am
Location: Europa, Slovenia

Diesel conversion driving report

Post by Roman »

Several months ago, I reported about a man, who was doing a Pinzi diesel conversion with the Citroen C25 engine.
Well, yesterday he come around with the rig fully finished and registered.
He allowed me to go behind the steering wheel and off we went. Personally I am the fan of keeping the pinzi fully stock, but I must admit, that I was surprised beyond
any expectations how well this diesel proved itself. At first the engine starts absolutely instantly. The next, shifting was smooth as oiled. Third, there was absolute absence
of any engine hesitation while starting the ride from the stop. Driving was a real fun. The diesel noise was aparent, but somehow not very harsh, since there was not any
turbocharger. Inside it is possibile to speak with a bit higher voice. The engine power and torque feels somewhat similar to stock pinzi gasoline engine.
During the ride, we stopped to make some pics.
Image
There is visible the cooler cover on the left side, where usually boxes are. The cooler is provided with two large fans and it is usual to hear them whining, when the one exits
the car. The battery box however is located on the right side on the usual place of the spare canister.
Image
Inside the cabin the engine is covered with the tailored cover with a bit lower profile compared to stock one.
Image
Heating is similar as in the common cars and works excellent.
The most impact to internal space was done in the rear compartment where an ugly box covers the rear part of the engine. At the right side the coolant expansion tank
was placed for easy access.
Image
The owner said, that there actually was enough space to put the engine much more forward and spare the rear compartment, but this would require the manufacturing of
the different oil pan and more important would sacrifice the place for the passenger's seat. The rear compartment was chosen as being less important.

I think that someone may find this report as interesting curiosity.
Otherwise here in the Europe there was allready some snow, which allways presents chance for pinzi owners to go out and play a bit.

Best regards to all.
Roman
Image
Last edited by Roman on Tue Dec 11, 2007 3:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1976- 710 M + 1976- 710MS
andy
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Post by andy »

Roman, maybe I missed reading it. What is the slanted box/compartment on the left side?

Nice pictures and interesting vehicle.

Regards,

Andy
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Roman
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Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 4:47 am
Location: Europa, Slovenia

Post by Roman »

It is a perforated steel plate which protects the water cooler.

Image
1976- 710 M + 1976- 710MS
lindenengineering
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Post by lindenengineering »

Roman
Thanks for posting the pictures.
The Peugeot Citoen engine you mentioned is a very popular & reliable unit.
My brother use to work for Citroen UK and often mentions the engine will out live the car when it gets condemned for corrosion damage due to the winter salting of British roads.

Not approved for import into the USA this engine is a rareity; I am getting one in bits to re-assemble over here then to compare it to the other repower renditions I have tried.
Keep up the news brief. Much appreciated
Dennis
PS How's about a HyBrid Pinz
OOOps no customer bashing now
Jim LaGuardia
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Post by Jim LaGuardia »

The loss of cargo area is heinous, but to each his own :roll:
Cheers, Jim LaGuardia
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"Arch Magus of Machines."
Roman
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Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 4:47 am
Location: Europa, Slovenia

Post by Roman »

I do agree.

Strange, but when I did a look into some pics from the time, when this pinzi was not assembled yet it apeared that the engine actually does not protrude much into the rear compartment.

Now it seems to me, that the man simply bolted in the box he had at hand, just to spare time. I am quite sure, that it can be later replaced with the very small tailored metal cover.

Roman
1976- 710 M + 1976- 710MS
lindenengineering
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Post by lindenengineering »

Roman
I would also be interested to see what he has housed under that cover.
Dimensionally the engine unit is similar to the length of the Steyr engine.
Very curious?
He may have decided to put the radiator aft of the engine to emulate certain Renault/Skoda models I know of!
Dennis
OOOps no customer bashing now
andy
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Post by andy »

Jim, I've strongly considered adding a fuel cell about 1/2 that deep, just as wide and about as high, in my 710M in that same spot. My concern has been the slosh factor. Not so much the smell, but I don't want gas on my corn or protein bags. And I never could decide whether to route it to the tank (gravity) maybe assisted by a small pump or to have a regular pump on top and loose more space. I've had both set ups in different pickups.

Back to the thread, sorry.

Andy
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gunnar
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Post by gunnar »

perhaps he has gput the batteries under the box as the battery box is missing
andy
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Post by andy »

On the 710M it looks like the box is behind the gas tank and on the "K" I can't tell. Are there 2 conversions?

Andy
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Roman
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Location: Europa, Slovenia

Post by Roman »

Andy

My ambulance K is not diesel conversion. I just added the photo in the
snow for the christmas feel.

Roman
1976- 710 M + 1976- 710MS
andy
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Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2007 6:31 pm
Location: Comstock, TX

Post by andy »

Roman, thank you. The snow is pretty in the picture. This is about as close to it as I want to get though.

Regards,

Andy
A bar F
The buck STARTS here
www.deerleaseservices.com
Erik712m
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Post by Erik712m »

Andy, i would just buy a bigger gas tank. the guy who used to make them for cold war is selling them now on his own.
todds112
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Location: Jackson Hole, WY

Post by todds112 »

Interesting solution for the radiator. I'm sure the covers, etc could be further refined for better it and finish.

Roman, do you have more pictures of your truck. Be interesting to see interior. I've never seen a 710 Ambulance. Very nice truck!
1973 712M
todds112
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Post by todds112 »

Erik Maybee wrote:Andy, i would just buy a bigger gas tank. the guy who used to make them for cold war is selling them now on his own.
Is this the armored extended ones? Does he have a web-site? As I recall they were pretty pricey ($1200+).
1973 712M
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