Hi,

I have an 83 244 diesl with 128K on it. The car is literally perfect, no dents, dings, scratches, nothing. The motor has a bad head gasket, but runs and starts perfectly. It has been setting here in north Idaho, outside for 6 weeks with an average temperature of about 25 degrees. It started instantly, with out being plugged in. So, the engine can't be in that bad of shape. I had bought the car with the idea of dropping in a v8. The car belows black smoke out the exhaust under a load and is really unattractive. Do all of these cars blow that much smoke? I took it to the local shop and he adjusted the injector pump, which lessened the smoke, but took nearly ALL of the power. So much so I took it back and he reset it to the previous setting. I'd probably spend the money to fix the engine if I were convinced that it wouldn't smoke so much. I also picked up a 760 turbo diesel and have considered swapping it in. I know it takes some work, and I know the turbo diesel doesn't run, but don't know just why. For the diesel owners, what is your take and your experience? Do these cars smoke (badly enough to hide the car in the rear view mirror?)

Thanks,

Leonard