Dodge 243 diesel - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

themaddhatter · 11-02-2001, 05:01 AM

Any of you folks know anything about the 1978 Dodge trucks that came with a 243 diesel? I believe it was made by mistubishi, but that is all I know

Are parts around? Is this any good? Is it worth my time to get it and experiment?

Thanx

pcorssmit · 11-02-2001, 06:07 AM

I understand its a turd, and that it may or may not be tolerable with an aftermarket turbo. Basically a marketing failure, I'd avoid it.

Pete

bwright · 11-02-2001, 06:59 AM

If it's cheap, I'd buy it....just because it would be the first one I've seen.

hy_desert_4wheeler · 11-03-2001, 03:42 PM

If you want something unusual or a truck that gets decent mileage get it. but if you want something with decent power leave it. the stock 243 diesel only made 100 hp @3700rpm 163 lb torque @2200rpm which is less than any other engine Dodge has ever used. Adding a turbo would only quicken its demise since it has 22:1 compression. to run a turbo and have decent longetivity you need to keep the compression around 17 or 18 to 1.
IF it is a 3/4 ton it might be worth buying just for the parts.

11-02-2001, 05:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
themaddhatter Wheeler Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3723 Location: A bridge too far Posts: 353	Dodge 243 diesel Any of you folks know anything about the 1978 Dodge trucks that came with a 243 diesel? I believe it was made by mistubishi, but that is all I know Are parts around? Is this any good? Is it worth my time to get it and experiment? Thanx __________________ Entropy "After a solid fifteen minutes of passing what felt like multiple babies out my purple starfish, it was over....When I stood up and looked back at my handy work I was pleasantly surprised to find nearly all the water in the toilet completely displaced by what was now a literal MOUND of crap"

11-02-2001, 06:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
pcorssmit Rock God Join Date: May 2001 Member # 4406 Location: Denver Posts: 2,335	I understand its a turd, and that it may or may not be tolerable with an aftermarket turbo. Basically a marketing failure, I'd avoid it. Pete __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways , beer in hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOW, what a ride."

11-03-2001, 03:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
hy_desert_4wheeler Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2790 Location: Stinnett Tx USA Posts: 1,629	If you want something unusual or a truck that gets decent mileage get it. but if you want something with decent power leave it. the stock 243 diesel only made 100 hp @3700rpm 163 lb torque @2200rpm which is less than any other engine Dodge has ever used. Adding a turbo would only quicken its demise since it has 22:1 compression. to run a turbo and have decent longetivity you need to keep the compression around 17 or 18 to 1. IF it is a 3/4 ton it might be worth buying just for the parts. __________________ Russ hy_desert_4wheeler 46 Dodge WC15--67 M715--85 Jeep CJ10A--06 Dodge Ram2500Quad cab Cummins--94 Suburban--06 Ridgeline-

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11-02-2001, 06:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
bwright Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2743 Posts: 530	If it's cheap, I'd buy it....just because it would be the first one I've seen.