from petrol to diesel

[Bundy_Harry]

All,

I want to convert a vehicle from Petrol to diesel, this vehicle will have its engine gear box and transfer, electrics and fuel system removed from another vehicle of the same type and manufacture and reinstalled into the primary vehicle. Apart from the obvious fuel change, everything is to be kept standard or as close to factory as possible

Questions
Does an engineer need to be involved?
Does the RTA need to be informed?
Are there any other laws or by-laws that I should research before undertaking a change of this nature?

Constructive criticism only and please try to stay on topic

cheers
Harry

[ISUZUROVER]

Might help if you tell us the vehicle and state????

In QLD, you can convert from one optional engine to another without getting the conversion approved or a mod plate fitted. You just need to advise QT and tell them the new engine number.

That is assuming:
(a) no cutting or welding is needed (bolt-in)
(b) you change everything that is different (brakes etc..)

[Bundy_Harry]

Thanx ISUZUROVER

I am in Sydney NSW

Converting from RJ70 Bundera to LJ70 Bundera
Hopefully not cutting or welding is required and according to the workshop manuals I have all the brake components are the same

cheers
harry

[ISUZUROVER]

There is a very good engineer on here (Athol?) who is in NSW.

[Matt_85Lux]

In QLD, you can convert from one optional engine to another without getting the conversion approved or a mod plate fitted. You just need to advise QT and tell them the new engine number.

I don't think that is right. By that statement for example you could convert a VK 6 cyl commodore to a V8 without the need for a mod plate as all you do is swap the K-frame fom a 6cyl one to a V8 one and everything bolts in no welding. But that is not the case as said conversion does require a mod plate

[chpd80]

Providing the engine capacity is the same you can change it.
I just did a TB42 to a TD42, It was a BIG BIG job but well worth it.

You will probably find the wiring is the hardest part unless you change
the whole loom and the plugs all match up.

One thing I forgot about as I had sooooo much other tech stuff doing
circles in my head was to change the fuel filler neck,

I forgot that unleaded has the restrictor in the neck and tried filling up
at the servo with a line up of people waiting behind me to see me
squeeze 85 cents into it (very embarrassing)

[chimpboy]

One thing I forgot about as I had sooooo much other tech stuff doing circles in my head was to change the fuel filler neck,

I forgot that unleaded has the restrictor in the neck and tried filling up
at the servo with a line up of people waiting behind me to see me
squeeze 85 cents into it (very embarrassing)

lol, classic and I can so easily imagine doing the same thing.

On the original question, for Victoria there is info on the VicRoads website which is quite clear:

Change of engine
1. Replacement engine is identical to the original engine, or is an option allowed by the manufacturer for the same model vehicle
The optional engine must be offered in Australia by the vehicle manufacturer as an option for that vehicle (or certified variants). The change of engine may be recorded by VicRoads provided that the registered operator or a motor mechanic, or dealer in that make of vehicle or an Automotive Engineer signs a declaration certifying the engine is optional for the vehicle model, and that all modifications made by the manufacturer for the same vehicle model with that optional engine have been completed.

You will need to attend a VicRoads Customer Service Centre to have the vehicle's engine inspected to confirm the new engine details. No appointment is required. You will also need to complete a Change of Vehicle Description form [PDF 24kb].

So, no reference to engine capacity just a declaration that all the other bits have been swapped as well (brakes etc I guess if you did 6 cyl to 8 cyl or whatever).

However if you have to modify the chassis then it's harder:

2. Replacement engine is not of a type offered by the vehicle manufacturer as an option for that vehicle or where alterations, or changes to the vehicle's frame or structure are made, and/or specially fabricated supports or structures are used
You will need to attend a VicRoads Customer Service Centre for an inspection of the vehicle to confirm the new engine details. You will also need to complete a Change of Vehicle Description form [PDF 24kb] and provide VicRoads with:

* a VASS Approval Certificate from a VicRoads Vehicle Assessment Signatory
* an original receipt for the purchase of the engine as proof of ownership of the engine

That is Victoria. If you search the NSW RTA website there may be similar info...?

[ISUZUROVER]

In QLD, you can convert from one optional engine to another without getting the conversion approved or a mod plate fitted. You just need to advise QT and tell them the new engine number.

I don't think that is right. By that statement for example you could convert a VK 6 cyl commodore to a V8 without the need for a mod plate as all you do is swap the K-frame fom a 6cyl one to a V8 one and everything bolts in no welding. But that is not the case as said conversion does require a mod plate

Read page 3 of this:
http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/resourc ... icles2.pdf

[bazzle]

Some fuel lines swell with diesel, best to replace all rubber looking parts with diesel safe.

Bazzle

[chpd80]

I ended up replacing the fuel line from the tank to the fuel filter,
as they were a bit larger than the petrol equivilent, and I could not get the diesel lines from the filter side to clamp on tight enough to the petrol steel line.
Wasnt hard to do, just a bit fidly.

[ludacris]

Providing the engine capacity is the same you can change it.
I just did a TB42 to a TD42, It was a BIG BIG job but well worth it.

You will probably find the wiring is the hardest part unless you change
the whole loom and the plugs all match up.

One thing I forgot about as I had sooooo much other tech stuff doing
circles in my head was to change the fuel filler neck,

I forgot that unleaded has the restrictor in the neck and tried filling up
at the servo with a line up of people waiting behind me to see me
squeeze 85 cents into it (very embarrassing)

Cris