1967-70 Chevrolet Diesel Step Vans

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

I have a question that doesn't seem to go anyplace in the truck forums (this is about Step Vans/forward control chassis):

Does anyone here remember anything (power, noise level, etc.) about the diesel-powered Step Vans produced from 1967 to 1970, and also would you happen to have pictures of these rarities? You have to think back to these years and up to about 1983, the year the "Malaise Era" ended.

The diesel was the 2-cycle Detroit Diesel 3-53N which produced 82 hp @ 2500 rpm and 193 lb-ft of torque @ 1600 rpm. The engine was installed in the PT20 and PT30 series. This and the 6V53N were more or less soundalikes.

I remember these had a separate "DIESEL" emblem placed below the Chevrolet bowtie emblem on the front fenders.

~Ben

[special-K]

This would fit right in the 67-72 trucks message board. There's no specific place for vans or StepVan/ValueVans,they are GM Trucks,so...
Anyhow,since there were diesel StepVans beyond this era this probably is a good place for more to see. I remember the sound and smell of these trucks. I have wanted to find one for years. I can see one pulling out blowing smoke right now if I squint one eye and close the other. I believe there was some sort of delivery service that ran them when I was a kid,so I'd see them on a regular basis.

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

May I please request this thread be moved to the main 1967-72 Chevy Trucks message board?

Thank you,



Ben Edge

[oldiron]

Originally Posted by ClassicTVMan1981X

May I please request this thread be moved to the main 1967-72 Chevy Trucks message board?

Thank you,



Ben Edge

I will move it over for you and see if we get a better response.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by oldiron

I will move it over for you and see if we get a better response.

Hey!! What was wrong with my response??
Ok,now I see,you meant to say,"...and see if we get more response.

[airdale94]

http://topeka.craigslist.org/cto/3781577731.html

It's a Ford though.

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

Originally Posted by airdale94

http://topeka.craigslist.org/cto/3781577731.html

It's a Ford though.

Because of that, the Jimmy on its frame is painted Ford Blue.

~Ben

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

Does anyone remember the "DIESEL" emblem that was placed next to the "(Chevy bowtie) 30" emblem on the front fenders? A picture would help greatly.

~Ben

[special-K]

I don't recall that emblem

[SS Tim]

P/N 3814709 "DIESEL" IIRC there is a reference in the assembly manual on the plate and the whole 3-53 installation too.

[JMac11]

Not sure of the chassis manufacturer, but I drove one with a Duetz Deisel back in the 80's. The chassis was a 69 model. It was part of a buyout fleet for one of the major bakerys. The shop knew I had a little mechanical sense and asked me to drive it to help decide wheter to keep it or not. Day started at 4 AM, no dash lights, no problem. I was used to driving a F350 Chassis with a 300 6 cyl on propane, so this one moved on out. Did notice I got to my first stop 40 miles away a bit early. Ran the day with the truck no probelems other than the engine cover had zero sealing ability. Realized on the way back that there was NO governer on this air cooled deisel and it was pegging the speedometer. Sadly the box was worn out on the aluminum body, leaked like a sieve. They surplused it out. Late I got an 87 C30 extended body with a TBI 350, it would spin the rear tires.......

[special-K]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

P/N 3814709 "DIESEL" IIRC there is a reference in the assembly manual on the plate and the whole 3-53 installation too.

You remember obscure part numbers like that,or did you leave out some punctuation?

[ClassicTVMan1981X]

I'm still hoping for pictures of part #3814709 that you can show us. I predict on the 1967-68 models it was red (to match the color of the Chevy bow tie logo) and then on 1969-70 models, it changed to blue (again to match the Chevy bow tie logo).

Thank you,



Ben