| Oldsmobile Diesel engine | |
|---|---|
 Badge of the Oldsmobile Diesel on a Buick | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Oldsmobile |
| Production | 1978–1985 |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | V6 V8 |
| Displacement |
|
| Cylinder bore | |
| Piston stroke | 3.385 in (86.0 mm)[1] |
| Cylinder block material | Cast iron |
| Cylinder head material | Cast iron |
| Valvetrain | Overhead valve 2 valves x cyl. |
| Compression ratio | 22.5:1,[1] 21.6:1[1] |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel system | Indirect injection |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Oil system | Wet sump |
| Cooling system | Water-cooled |
| Output | |
| Power output | 85–120 bhp (63–89 kW) |
| Torque output | 160–220 lb⋅ft (217–298 N⋅m) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Detroit Diesel V8 engine |
The Oldsmobile Diesel engine is a series of V6 and V8 diesel engines produced by General Motors from 1978 to 1985. Their design was based on the Olds 350 gasoline engine architecture. A 350 cu in (5.7 L) V8 was introduced in 1978, followed by a 261 cu in (4.3 L) V8 only for the 1979 model year. In 1982, a 263 cu in (4.3 L) V6 became available for both front front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive vehicles.
Sales peaked in 1981 at approximately 310,000 units, which represented 60% of the total U.S. passenger vehicle diesel market. This success was short-lived as the V8 version suffered severe reliability issues. Although GM carried out several redesigns, by the time the engine was trouble-free, the damage to its reputation had been done, and it was discontinued after the 1985 model year. The later design V6 diesel did not have the problems of the V8.
The shortcomings of the engine, and the publicity around it, negatively affected American light diesel engine sales for years to come.