turning lawn mower engine into diesel

[FX4STROKER]

I know this is way off topic for any section of powerstroke.org but I thought it could be fun. I have a old john deere mower that the engine is still good in but every thing else is shot. I was wondering if there was a way to turn a gas engine like that into a diesel. The reason why is I have a 2000 kawasaki mule that the engine is blown. I would like to make it a diesel with two small stack. Thought it would be fun.( i was a cub cadet side by side with a little cat engine) So does any one have any ideas. Or know of a small cheap diesel engine that i could put in a kawasaki mule. I was thinking of maybe installing injectors where the spark plug goes and doing a samll vw turbo. Any ideas would be great. thanks

[bigcountrysg]

A diesel engine runs on a completely different concept then a gas engine.

Diesel engines run on compression, gas engines run on combustion.

Diesel engines makes heat by compressing air by the piston which then in turns the heat built up burns the fuel/ air mixture. A gas engine uses a spark plug to ignite the fuel/air mixture.

You will not get that engine to make the amount of compression you need to fire diesel fuel. Also you will have to plug the spark plug hole some how. Over all the cost is not worth the out come.

[FX4STROKER]

any ideas on what kind of diesel engine i could install.

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by FX4STROKER

any ideas on what kind of diesel engine i could install.

One of equal size to the gas engine that is in there now.

[metallitera]

check out diesel generators. northern tools has a selection of engines also, i think some diesel as well.

also a small tractor engine maybe but i bet even the smallest tractor would be a bit big for your mule.

also welders, most are gas but some are diesel.

and yea, makin a gasser into a diesel wouldnt be very easy. i guess you could overcome the low compression ratio with forced induction but you'd prolly blow head gaskets at that point. and look at chevy, they converted a 350into a diesel in the 80's i think it was, and it was JUNK.

on a forced induction side note a buddy and i used a smog pump to make a blower for his lawnmower, worked well just had to keep the throttle around half or she'd start freakin out. his wife opened the throttle wide open one day and wondered why it went BOOM after a few seconds.

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Last edited by metallitera : 12-20-2008 at 04:44 PM.

[bigwhite7.3stroker]

Originally Posted by metallitera

on a forced induction side note a buddy and i used a smog pump to make a blower for his lawnmower, worked well just had to keep the throttle around half or she'd start freakin out. his wife opened the throttle wide open one day and wondered why it went BOOM after a few seconds.

thats pretty cool

[Mtn doo]

Polaris made a diesel 4 wheeler a few years ago if you could find one you might be able to take the motor out of it.

[FX4STROKER]

Ok ive been looking into the whole diesel thing and its really not practical at ALL. But im wanting more power and torque so i can run huge tires. I was thinking 33 or 32 inch. What do yall think about a 800cc motor cycle engine,

[Heartbeatracing]

just sell your mule and buy one that has a diesel in it already, they made them with diesels also

[kingchip]

Kubota's version of the Mule comes with a Diesel option. Slower than dirt, but it will climb trees.