I bought one brand new in 1979 when I was a lad of 19. 260 Diesel with no A/C or radio. It had the heavy duty F41 suspension and I added a 1978 rear sway bar as the 79 sway bar had less ground clearance. The vehicle served me quite well as Diesel fuel was very inexpensive at the time (But only available at truck stops) when gasoline prices were soaring and the car got 30 MPG easily. Mine had dual exhaust outlets and a quick 'romp' on the accelerator at stops turned girl's heads. I soon sold it because It was in extremely high demand and I got much more than I paid for it brand new ! I regret selling it as it handled very well, had a limited slip differential and was very inexpensive to feed except for the extra two quarts of oil it required during changes every 3000 miles. I remember telling my passengers that I needed fuel money if we were going to cruise all night and it was 50 cents per passenger. I worked on the Olds Diesels for the next few years and found that most engine issues were caused by water in the fuel as Oldsmobile sadly did not fit a water separator and fuel quality was unknown. The 260/4.3 had an extremely high compression ratio compared to the 5.7 and these engines did not tolerate water at all. The glow plug system on the 78-79s were of a 12 volt design rather than a 6 volt 'pulsed' design of the later models. In very low temperatures (-20F) the WAIT light would stay illuminated for a good 30 seconds before it would start if one neglected to plug in the engine block heater overnight. Why no A/C or radio? I ordered it that way as radios were a ripoff and I easily installed my own and I had already driven a 260 gasoline model and it was underpowered with the A/C on even though it had 15 more horsepower. The most fascinating feature of these cars was the Hydroboost power brakes that were supplied hydraulic power/pressure by the power steering pump. My 1979 was almost certainly the rarest of the rare Diesel Cutlass Supreme Coupes and as I've said, I regret selling it.
These are so rare. I only know of a few original 260 V8 diesel Cutlass cars to exist in the US today, still with their original engines. I have 4 original 350 Oldsmobile diesels and would like to buy another one. When the one year only 1979 260s blew up, the dealers replaced them with the 350 diesels so it's almost impossible to find one anymore. I know an 85 year old man that still has his original 79 Cutlass Supreme Brougham diesel with factory T Tops and the 5 speed manual transmission and it even has that wild looking optional mojave Indian deco interior which is so rare to find. I think his car is one of a kind. Only about 200 were built with the 5 speed diesel and only for 1979. The guy will not sell his car but I keep asking him....
One of the rarest Oldsmobiles ever made 260 diesel engines one year only, amazingly yours still running, don't know if that's the original engine, but at least it's still a diesel ⛽.
I had one of these cars. 260 cubic inch. Drove it for about 65,000 miles. Something got into the #1 cylinder. Had the engine rebuilt for $1900.00. Broken piston, bent rod, bad cam. Drove it for another about 70,000 miles. 135,000 miles in 3 years. It started rattling, when started. Sold it. If GM would have stood behind this engine, made some corrections to make the engine more trustworthy, I'd buy another one.
That body style right there, is all you saw up and down American streets in the 80s and 90s. Oldsmobile Cutlass, Buick Regal. Still quite a few still around. Built to last especially if they have the Chevy or Olds V8 gas engine.
Love it!! Would love to see what you’ve done under the hood there. Looks like a lot going on. Just found a 79 salon with the 260 diesel in it. I want it to live again!!!
I had this car also. The engine self destructed at 40,000 miles. I complained to Oldsmobile and GM about it and I was told that it was “normal”. I vowed to never buy another GM car again. It’s been 39 years and I had Volvos and I just bought a new Kia. I have been happy since. 😀
I felt that way about my Pontiac Montana van. It was a nice looking car but mechanically a piece of crap. It wasn’t just that van, it was my wife’s Grand Prix also. Might have been a strong motor but it was junk other than that. Just like you, I’ll never buy GM again.
I understand this comment sections ' frustration, but I like the Oldsmobile diesel cars just because they are _different_ . I wouldn't mind if it's a piece of crap. I wouldn't drive it far anyway.
@@sandasturner9529I had a neighbor that had an 82 Oldsmobile 98 diesel; he drove it forever, but he was also an older gentleman who didn’t drive hard or far with it.
I can't believe a 4.3 V8 diesel still exists in the wild!! This engine was only built for 1 year, and in the U.S. practically all of them were replaced with 5.7 diesels under factory warranty. Is this still the original engine or was it rebuilt? I was surprised to find out that these cars were popular for a time in France, although it makes sense. There are probably more of them surviving on French roads than in North America.
+doctor zaius Yeah but sadly this engine is really sick... I think swapped it by a 5.7 DX. But i gonna keep the old 4.3 and rebuilt it because this engine is rated worst engine of the century ^^ :)
Nicolas Terris Nice! It makes me very happy to know there's at least one 4.3 V8 diesel still out there. Yours may seriously be the last one on the planet.
+doctor zaius there are still a few around in our country. 1 or 2 pop sometimes on the used market, as you mentioned because diesel is more popular out here (for whatever reason :/ ) I still prefer a gas V8
The Virgin Life You weren't wrong... there were both 4.3l V8 and V6 diesels. The V8 was only around for one year, 1979, and only available in the Cutlass. The V6 came out a few years later and was available in lots of different GM cars (both RWD and FWD) but they were never very popular. 85HP for the V6 and 90HP for the V8, so yes - very slow!!
@@fordmanx3 it was a 1 year only thing, you could only get it in 1979 oldsmobiles. LF7 was the engine code, only available in 79 cutlass supreme/cutlass calais/cutlass salon.
Bon la peinture...on ne fera pas de commentaire,mais quelle gueule,quel charme.J adore le bouton poussoir:demarreur.La cylindrée offre à cette americaine un trés beau bruit.La consomation doit etre enorme.En résumé J ADORE.On dirait que le moteur sort d usine.
I had one in Germany. That car was one big problem. Two batteries and a undersized generator-belt to change every two months - at least. You had to heat it up slowly, otherwise it started to overheat. Top-speed 60 miles :-) A horrible car, but I loved it. Glass roofs; a kind of Targa. Sold in Morocco; maybe still runing there.
Did you sell your 79 Diesel Calais? Or is it still available? Pleaee respond even if you did. I would like to ask you a few more questions about it. Please and thanks!
Something I don't quite understand,why was it that people in southern states and people who live in other countries had little to no trouble at all with Oldsmobile diesels, so that engine couldn't have been quite a the nightmare that so many people thought they were
What in the world is that Rube Goldberg setup for starting it??? That's what happens when you take a car someplace where there's no parts to fix anything. Edit: wow, I'm impressed and confused.
Salut, tu aurais caché la plaque made in France, je l'aurais crue au fin fond du Kansas!!! Belle caisse, j'adore son style! tu la restaures ou tu la laisses en l'état?
Salut à toi ! Merci pour ton commentaire. Et bien c'était une double ligne directe, libre. Je l'ai depuis totalement restaurée, repeinte et convertie en essence! Elle est aujourd'hui motorisée par un v8 5.7 chevrolet, que j'ai refait entièrement et qui développe beaucoup, mais alors BEAUCOUP plus de chevaux ! Elle devrait être fin prête pour la route d'ici le printemps prochain. Je posterai une vidéo à cette occasion. A plus !
Nicolas Terris merci pour ta réponse ! Poste des vidéos quand tu peux avec grand plaisir ! Normalement si tout ce passe comme je l’ai prévu je récupère une olds dans 2 semaines et c’est un 5.7 mais diesel. J’ai étudier le sujet et je trouve que niveau sonorité c’est pas ça du tout. Du coup tu me conseilles quoi pour que ça fasse un bon son? Ligne direct full tube ? Au plaisir Nico ! ✌🏼
This is a 5.7 "D" block with pencil injectors. 4.3 is a 6 cylinder diesel which I own a 85 Cadillac Sedan Deville fwd (see my videos) I also own a 5.7 Park Ave. DX
+PPI Sorry but no, the LF7 4.3 v8 Diesel exist and was installed only in 1979 ;) In 1985 this is the LS2 4.3 v6 Diesel ! Have you any problem on the 5.7 DX ? Because I'm gonna put a DX on the Cutlass. Thanks (And sorry for my english, I'm French ^^ )
That's what a lot of people thought... But the only thing the 4.3/5.7 diesels share with the gassers is displacement. They are totally different blocks.
@@kaulincurtis9665 One solution is to use much stronger head bolts that can withstand the diesel's 22.5:1 compression ratio. Another is to add a proper fuel/water separator, which the 1982-85 4.3L V6 diesel had employed.
I had the same 1979 Olds Cutlass 4.3 liter diesel. What a piece of junk! It was very sluggish on acceleration on the freeway. At 60,000 miles, the engine demolished itself with blown head gaskets, broken connecting rods and head bolts. It was replaced and later the replacement engine would eventually demolish itself also. I complained about it and the GM representative said it was “normal”. Oh yeah? This piece of junk is a disgrace to GM and I would never buy another car from them again! 👎
they needed water separators and what not. i wish we didn't get rid of are olds. 4 cylinder diesel . had quarter a tank and wasn't even shifting right and we drove hours and back home .. incredible . had to be 40 mpg plus .. brother found it and put it in the car ..
Lol I love when people post stuff like this. I have just rebuilt my 4.3 litre V8. And it is most definitely NOT a 5.7L given the sizes of the bores. Nor is it built from a petrol block or anything, given how literally NOTHING from a petrol motor swaps over, minus like the oil pump or something.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
I bought one brand new in 1979 when I was a lad of 19. 260 Diesel with no A/C or radio. It had the heavy duty F41 suspension and I added a 1978 rear sway bar as the 79 sway bar had less ground clearance. The vehicle served me quite well as Diesel fuel was very inexpensive at the time (But only available at truck stops) when gasoline prices were soaring and the car got 30 MPG easily. Mine had dual exhaust outlets and a quick 'romp' on the accelerator at stops turned girl's heads. I soon sold it because It was in extremely high demand and I got much more than I paid for it brand new ! I regret selling it as it handled very well, had a limited slip differential and was very inexpensive to feed except for the extra two quarts of oil it required during changes every 3000 miles. I remember telling my passengers that I needed fuel money if we were going to cruise all night and it was 50 cents per passenger. I worked on the Olds Diesels for the next few years and found that most engine issues were caused by water in the fuel as Oldsmobile sadly did not fit a water separator and fuel quality was unknown. The 260/4.3 had an extremely high compression ratio compared to the 5.7 and these engines did not tolerate water at all. The glow plug system on the 78-79s were of a 12 volt design rather than a 6 volt 'pulsed' design of the later models. In very low temperatures (-20F) the WAIT light would stay illuminated for a good 30 seconds before it would start if one neglected to plug in the engine block heater overnight. Why no A/C or radio? I ordered it that way as radios were a ripoff and I easily installed my own and I had already driven a 260 gasoline model and it was underpowered with the A/C on even though it had 15 more horsepower. The most fascinating feature of these cars was the Hydroboost power brakes that were supplied hydraulic power/pressure by the power steering pump. My 1979 was almost certainly the rarest of the rare Diesel Cutlass Supreme Coupes and as I've said, I regret selling it.
These are so rare. I only know of a few original 260 V8 diesel Cutlass cars to exist in the US today, still with their original engines. I have 4 original 350 Oldsmobile diesels and would like to buy another one. When the one year only 1979 260s blew up, the dealers replaced them with the 350 diesels so it's almost impossible to find one anymore. I know an 85 year old man that still has his original 79 Cutlass Supreme Brougham diesel with factory T Tops and the 5 speed manual transmission and it even has that wild looking optional mojave Indian deco interior which is so rare to find. I think his car is one of a kind. Only about 200 were built with the 5 speed diesel and only for 1979. The guy will not sell his car but I keep asking him....
Get a pic of it dude
The DX version of the LF9, which was installed in cars so equipped from 1983-1985, was much better.
One of the rarest Oldsmobiles ever made 260 diesel engines one year only, amazingly yours still running, don't know if that's the original engine, but at least it's still a diesel ⛽.
I had one of these cars. 260 cubic inch. Drove it for about 65,000 miles. Something got into the #1 cylinder. Had the engine rebuilt for $1900.00. Broken piston, bent rod, bad cam. Drove it for another about 70,000 miles. 135,000 miles in 3 years. It started rattling, when started. Sold it. If GM would have stood behind this engine, made some corrections to make the engine more trustworthy, I'd buy another one.
Blwon heads were a huge issue in these cars.
Understandable
Me, 5 years ago!
That body style right there, is all you saw up and down American streets in the 80s and 90s. Oldsmobile Cutlass, Buick Regal. Still quite a few still around. Built to last especially if they have the Chevy or Olds V8 gas engine.
One of the most unreliable Sh** piles to ever role on 4 wheels. Cars were a huge mistake during a very dark time in the automotive industry.
@@rickjames9507 those cars are very reliable, lemme guess you had one bad expierence so now every one made is a piece of shit
@@ayp1938 he might just be a sour cummins guy
When you popped the hop i actually said "omg" out loud. I DIG the patina
Le moteur fait un bruit incomparable, énorme, pas besoin de monter dans les tours, le alenti et son glouglou caractéristique!!
That was a good engine, It did not have enough power to hurt itself !
I love the way she idles, very healthy.👍👍🙌❤️
I genuinely thought the 4.3 version went extinct. Keep this one in good shape, you have 1 out of probably about 10 still in existence!
Wow, I never heard of this particular engine before. Cool video!
Love it!! Would love to see what you’ve done under the hood there. Looks like a lot going on.
Just found a 79 salon with the 260 diesel in it. I want it to live again!!!
Very nice restoration and project ! 😊🇨🇦
I had this car also. The engine self destructed at 40,000 miles. I complained to Oldsmobile and GM about it and I was told that it was “normal”. I vowed to never buy another GM car again. It’s been 39 years and I had Volvos and I just bought a new Kia. I have been happy since. 😀
I felt that way about my Pontiac Montana van. It was a nice looking car but mechanically a piece of crap. It wasn’t just that van, it was my wife’s Grand Prix also. Might have been a strong motor but it was junk other than that. Just like you, I’ll never buy GM again.
I understand this comment sections ' frustration, but I like the Oldsmobile diesel cars just because they are _different_ . I wouldn't mind if it's a piece of crap. I wouldn't drive it far anyway.
@@sandasturner9529I had a neighbor that had an 82 Oldsmobile 98 diesel; he drove it forever, but he was also an older gentleman who didn’t drive hard or far with it.
Nice car. I have 1980 5.7 olds diesel Cutlass.
+racejuha Lucky you! I'm looking for a 5.7 DX to swap
As a true olds and Cutlass fan the car is still beautiful to me
vraiment magnifique boulot,moteur ultra clean et un son qui fait rêver!!!Bravo😍
I can't believe a 4.3 V8 diesel still exists in the wild!! This engine was only built for 1 year, and in the U.S. practically all of them were replaced with 5.7 diesels under factory warranty. Is this still the original engine or was it rebuilt? I was surprised to find out that these cars were popular for a time in France, although it makes sense. There are probably more of them surviving on French roads than in North America.
+doctor zaius Yeah but sadly this engine is really sick... I think swapped it by a 5.7 DX.
But i gonna keep the old 4.3 and rebuilt it because this engine is rated worst engine of the century ^^ :)
Nicolas Terris Nice! It makes me very happy to know there's at least one 4.3 V8 diesel still out there. Yours may seriously be the last one on the planet.
+doctor zaius I saw a 4.3L diesel in an Olds in the junkyard a month or so ago. Car looked like it hadn't moved in 20 years.
+doctor zaius there are still a few around in our country. 1 or 2 pop sometimes on the used market, as you mentioned because diesel is more popular out here (for whatever reason :/ ) I still prefer a gas V8
The Virgin Life You weren't wrong... there were both 4.3l V8 and V6 diesels. The V8 was only around for one year, 1979, and only available in the Cutlass. The V6 came out a few years later and was available in lots of different GM cars (both RWD and FWD) but they were never very popular. 85HP for the V6 and 90HP for the V8, so yes - very slow!!
I like those yellow European tail lights!
Oh boy that sounds perfect
Easily one of, if not, the last 4.3L V8 1979 diesel left.
Lol seriously
@@fordmanx3 it was a 1 year only thing, you could only get it in 1979 oldsmobiles. LF7 was the engine code, only available in 79 cutlass supreme/cutlass calais/cutlass salon.
Super damn cool!
I had a stw with this 4,3 in Finland. 90' s. Rust in frame and high mileage So sold ..
i love your car....very nice sound and clean motor😻
Ardéchois, coeur fidèle...
I'm amazed that motor didn't blow it self up cuz they where know for that, good job for keeping it in good running order :D
Bon la peinture...on ne fera pas de commentaire,mais quelle gueule,quel charme.J adore le bouton poussoir:demarreur.La cylindrée offre à cette americaine un trés beau bruit.La consomation doit etre enorme.En résumé J ADORE.On dirait que le moteur sort d usine.
I had one in Germany. That car was one big problem. Two batteries and a undersized generator-belt to change every two months - at least. You had to heat it up slowly, otherwise it started to overheat. Top-speed 60 miles :-) A horrible car, but I loved it. Glass roofs; a kind of Targa. Sold in Morocco; maybe still runing there.
got a build thread? this thing is amazeballs!
Do you have a build thread?! ;)
Nice it's still being kept on the road.
the wiring is a little bit exposed
nice car, the engine bay is very clean.
I would love a driving video with this car.
Ratman, that's awesome! Love the clear coat
Does anyone remember how many Oldsmobile diesel-powered cars were exported brand new?
GM Division of Planned Obsolescence needs to see you about that car immediately!
You gotta do a test drive video!! 👍🏼👍🏼
@ 3:55 -- The sound of power (but not much). They took it to the track and got beat by a Ponyiac Firefly
My 1979 Cutlass Calais has a 4.3 diesel(*RUNS), factory 5 speed and T-Tops. All original with 32,400 miles. How rare is that!?
+redonred97 Extremely rare, probably one of the last still runnin', take care of it !
My 4.3 is dead now :/ ... gonna swap it for a 350 chevy !
factory 5 speed !! wow!
Yes, and I'm selling it. Send me your # and I'll send photos to you.
@@redonred97 are you the guy with the sandalwood interior and stuff
Did you sell your 79 Diesel Calais? Or is it still available? Pleaee respond even if you did. I would like to ask you a few more questions about it. Please and thanks!
Something I don't quite understand,why was it that people in southern states and people who live in other countries had little to no trouble at all with Oldsmobile diesels, so that engine couldn't have been quite a the nightmare that so many people thought they were
Is that a prime button you pressed under the dashboard before you press the start button
Glow plug to heat the combustion chambers
cool car
THE FIRST STEP IN OLDSMOBILE'S DOWNFALL. A JUNKBOX.
are those original tail lights
Interesting.
What in the world is that Rube Goldberg setup for starting it??? That's what happens when you take a car someplace where there's no parts to fix anything. Edit: wow, I'm impressed and confused.
Salut, tu aurais caché la plaque made in France, je l'aurais crue au fin fond du Kansas!!! Belle caisse, j'adore son style! tu la restaures ou tu la laisses en l'état?
One.. a 4.3 v8? I assumed the 4.3 was a v6 plus.. amber lights in the back?!
пепелац!
круть!
mpg?
+DarkLinkAD 26.
Nicolas Terris
Thats sounds right, the short bed, reg cab silverado with 5.7 diesel has similar figures.
I was mabye hoping for miracles ofcourse.
@@DarkLinkAD Someone wrote under 5.7 diesel video that he had 30 mpg
The car looks quite a lot like some of the late 70's/early 80's delta 88's
On a good day you could get 90 HP out of it, right before it blew!
Salut Nico ! Dis moi, c’est une ligne directe que tu as mise ? Un echap libre ? Quel son ! Bravo en tout cas ✌🏼
Salut à toi !
Merci pour ton commentaire.
Et bien c'était une double ligne directe, libre.
Je l'ai depuis totalement restaurée, repeinte et convertie en essence! Elle est aujourd'hui motorisée par un v8 5.7 chevrolet, que j'ai refait entièrement et qui développe beaucoup, mais alors BEAUCOUP plus de chevaux !
Elle devrait être fin prête pour la route d'ici le printemps prochain.
Je posterai une vidéo à cette occasion.
A plus !
Nicolas Terris merci pour ta réponse ! Poste des vidéos quand tu peux avec grand plaisir !
Normalement si tout ce passe comme je l’ai prévu je récupère une olds dans 2 semaines et c’est un 5.7 mais diesel. J’ai étudier le sujet et je trouve que niveau sonorité c’est pas ça du tout.
Du coup tu me conseilles quoi pour que ça fasse un bon son? Ligne direct full tube ?
Au plaisir Nico ! ✌🏼
Sounds like a power stroke
Ça fait tout bizare de voire un v8 diesel en France
C'est vrai que c'est pas commun, mais aujourd'hui elle n'est plus Diesel.
Je l'ai faite repeindre et elle a un V8 essence, plus classique et fiable :)
100th sub
This is a 5.7 "D" block with pencil injectors. 4.3 is a 6 cylinder diesel which I own a 85 Cadillac Sedan Deville fwd (see my videos) I also own a 5.7 Park Ave. DX
+PPI Sorry but no, the LF7 4.3 v8 Diesel exist and was installed only in 1979 ;)
In 1985 this is the LS2 4.3 v6 Diesel !
Have you any problem on the 5.7 DX ?
Because I'm gonna put a DX on the Cutlass.
Thanks (And sorry for my english, I'm French ^^ )
The rear-drive 4.3 V6 diesel had the RPO code of LT6, while the Cutlass Ciera (A-body) version of the same was LT7.
Oldsmobile 5,7 V8 Diesel, 4,3 is V6 diesel
Nope, in 1978 the 4.3L engine is a V8.
V6 4.3 engine came in 1982 if i'm correct.
هذه سيارة بنزين وليست مازوت
Detroit diesel engine? Good sound.
Most likely not, probably a generic GM Gasser V8 w/ different heads on it. That's what they did w/ the 5.7l Diesels.
That's what a lot of people thought... But the only thing the 4.3/5.7 diesels share with the gassers is displacement. They are totally different blocks.
@@cowboyzr2 they used the same head bolt pattern. That was their most prominent flaw, blew head gaskets all the time because the bolts would stretch
@@kaulincurtis9665 One solution is to use much stronger head bolts that can withstand the diesel's 22.5:1 compression ratio. Another is to add a proper fuel/water separator, which the 1982-85 4.3L V6 diesel had employed.
@@ClassicTVMan1981X yeah I've heard of people using studs instead of bolts with success. Decently reliable engines if you fix the weak spots.
Never seen one of these
I thought this version was a V6?
Sounds nice and dirty though...😉
theres a 4.3 v8 and a 4.3 v6 diesel
I had the same 1979 Olds Cutlass 4.3 liter diesel. What a piece of junk! It was very sluggish on acceleration on the freeway. At 60,000 miles, the engine demolished itself with blown head gaskets, broken connecting rods and head bolts. It was replaced and later the replacement engine would eventually demolish itself also. I complained about it and the GM representative said it was “normal”. Oh yeah? This piece of junk is a disgrace to GM and I would never buy another car from them again! 👎
they needed water separators and what not. i wish we didn't get rid of are olds. 4 cylinder diesel . had quarter a tank and wasn't even shifting right and we drove hours and back home .. incredible . had to be 40 mpg plus .. brother found it and put it in the car ..
@@cowpoke02 oldsmobile never made a 4 cylinder diesel. there were v8's and v6's
I have a 82 Oldsmobile cutlass supreme 4.3 diesel engine that is for sale
sounds like there's something wrong with this one. it certainly isn't running right. Too bad, the 260's are rare!
I wonder how much less terrible you could make one of these if you threw a junkyard turbo on it.
It would probably blow a head gasket in a hurry or worse
paint it red
mdr c'est du fait maison jusqu'au bout
the 4.3 is a v6 5.7 is V8
Nope ! In 79 the 4.3 is a v8.
Lol I love when people post stuff like this. I have just rebuilt my 4.3 litre V8. And it is most definitely NOT a 5.7L given the sizes of the bores. Nor is it built from a petrol block or anything, given how literally NOTHING from a petrol motor swaps over, minus like the oil pump or something.
No this one year was 4.3 v8
I mean he shows the Engine for God's sake
There was a 4.3 v8 diesel in 1979.
You should put #1 GM on the side of this car... cause I have no other idea why you would build this car except to troll.
Travis Johnston Just to have a nice Daily driver.
Sounds unreliable.. like a gm lol