D24 or D24T

[bigvolvoboy]

Hey, I recently had the opportunity to purchase a 1982 245 which is mostly a parts car because the interior is destroyed and majority of the body has rotted out (can nearly stick your feet through the floor). The wagon has a running D24 (280k miles) paired with a M46 transmission. It also came with a D24T which has been passed through 2 people before me and no one has really worked on it so its in unknown condition. Anyways, I am trying to resurrect my 1982 244 GL which currently doesn't run due to it sitting for a long time and I wanted to ask if should rebuilt the D24T and throw it into the 244. Are there any serious differences between the two engines (besides the turbo lol). I'm just sitting on 3 engines and seeking some advice on what I should do. The smartest solution would be swap in the running engine but I wonder what you guys think. Thanks. (Sorry kind of a random post I went from having a non running D24 in search for a lot of parts and now I have two additional engines haha.

[ngoma]

Originally Posted by bigvolvoboy

Are there any serious differences between the two engines (besides the turbo lol).

D24T has piston squirters, and maybe (not sure?) different block alloy? Also different injector nozzles. Different oil pan? Bigger radiator?

Originally Posted by bigvolvoboy

I'm just sitting on 3 engines and seeking some advice on what I should do. The smartest solution would be swap in the running engine but I wonder what you guys think.

Depends on your objectives. Do you need running wheels immediately or want more of a long-range hobby-type project?

Middle of the road plan could be to take the best condition one (guessing it's one of your N/A?) and transplant the turbo parts to it.

[v8volvo]

Nothing beats a parts car for keeping an old vehicle going without breaking the bank. If the price is fair and you have a place to keep it, you will almost surely be glad to have the parts car in your possession!

D24T swap into a 244 is not difficult and gives a very nice boost in performance. As ngoma points out, adding turbo parts to a D24 is also a viable way to get some or most of those performance gains, albeit with the question of long term durability if the engine sees consistent use of the full power of the turbo. A +T on an otherwise healthy engine would probably survive a long time in relatively gentle terrain and in the hands of a conservative driver understanding the limits. Frequent hard driving in mountain territory or hot weather might be more risky, mainly due to the absence of piston cooling oil squirters in the NA block and some different materials. But with a good running NA engine as well as a turbo motor that you could rebuild or scrounge +T parts from, you could create whatever solution matches your usage best.

Either way it sounds like this would give you additional options for getting the 244 on the road, if you can make the practical aspects work.

[bigvolvoboy]

Appreciate the input, I think I'm gonna do a bunch of research on these engines and how to rebuild one (considering I'm a lost 18 yr old that's never touched a diesel engine). Then pop open the D24T once the weather is better and if it's not too far gone I'll rebuild it and put it in the 244. If not I have the smooth running D24 to swap in and do the +T mods you were talking about.

[ngoma]

Originally Posted by bigvolvoboy

I think I'm gonna do a bunch of research on these engines and how to rebuild one (considering I'm a lost 18 yr old that's never touched a diesel engine).

My suggestion is to find a local mentor, someone conveniently located with a proven track record in engine rebuilding (doesn't necessarily need to be diesel)(but a VW diesel veteran would be best ) that is willing to coach you along the process. Many steps in this process really need an experienced eye.

Maybe.

What is your background?

[bigvolvoboy]

Hey, I've called around and no one's really experienced with diesels besides semi trucks which I guess would fit. None of them seemed interested in helping me out haha, I might actually go into the shops and ask as a last resort. I don't really want to just hand off the engine I would like to learn how its done. I've got some experience working on old BMWs because I flip them with my brother but other than that not much, especially not with rebuilding an engine.

From reading the green bible and watching/reading online it does seem pretty difficult to rebuild this engine especially the fuel injection and some parts requiring special tools. I feel like I should still be able to do everything right as long as I get the appropriate tools and do the necessary research or am I just setting myself up for failure? You can be brutally honest.

[bigvolvoboy]

Also forgot to ask, could you provide me with all the special tools I will need and/or substitutes for them if there is any. I saw the post here about them and I'm assuming all the belt and injector tools are necessary. Only one I was able to find was 5199 cam shaft locking tool for around $100 shipped which seems a little outrageous.