Diesel motor in a Ford Festiva?

Question

I've seen a few Ford Festiva's with Yanmar Diesel motors in them with only around 13-15hp. Is it possible to take an Isuzu diesel motor (like what Ford put in the mid 80s Rangers) in a Festiva? Very curious. Im in the process of restoring a 93 Festiva L with a 1.3 gas...but also curious and interested in putting a diesel motor in

Answer 1

you'd really have to limit the power used as a diesel engine would have the torque necessary to literally twist the frame or drive components off the vehicle.also the festiva has a very small engine bay,id doubt the ranger diesel would fit,or that the chasis can withstand the weight or torque.

Answer 2

The (USA) 1983 Rangers actually had a Mazda/Perkins diesel. Then up to 1987 they had a Mitsubishi 2.3 turbo-diesel. Neither was very good or particularly reliable and both are pretty difficult to get parts for. They didn't sell that many of them.

If you found one in good running condition it still would be a big challenge to mount it in a Fiesta. You'd have to figure out how to mount it sideways then figure out what transaxle would bolt up to it, Then what flywheel and clutch to use to be compatible with both the engine and the transaxle. Then a bunch of other stuff.

A more practical swap would be to find an early VW diesel Rabbit or Jetta and rob the entire drivetrain and figure out how to transplant that. Everything is at least similar in size and orientation. You can find parts for these easily (I have one) and even reasonably priced (mostly). The 1.6 VW's are rated at like 45HP (I think). If you can find one of the rare turbo 1.6's they are rated at like 72HP, are easily modified to get a bit more power out of and can actually been fun to drive. (What I did to mine). In the end though, you've more or less put a Ford body on a VW chassis. It's be a heck of a lot easier just to buy a VW diesel and drive it. No real challenge in that though, huh?

In other parts of the world there ar ea lot more diesel FWD options that I know little to nothing about.

Answer 3

most of the world has been using diesel cars for 40 years , the USA is playing catch up.