I just found a completely unmolested 1981 Delta 88 Diesel in the local pick a part. The car has severe rear end damage, but is perfect out front. The oil and coolant look good, and everything down to the air cleaner wing nuts is with it. Is it worth it to pull and refurb an 81? I want to get at least 150 hp out of it, so it runs similar to the 307 that is currently in the car I want to put this thing in. I was planning on a dual exhaust, EGR blockoff, 1 degree advance on the timing, ARP studs, a RAYCOR water separator, and 170 degree thermostat. I know alot about cars, but not 350 diesels. Is this engine worth it, should I hold out for a later model, or go with a 6.2? I am leaning toward the 5.7 because I know it fits, but would prefer the 6.2 if it can fit. I found two 6.2L engines in 1989 Suburbans at the yard as well, and I am kicking that idea around, since they were rated at 160-170 hp, (I think)? I want to use either engine with a THM 200-4R. I can make the converter lockup in any gear I want. I have done this for friends with older cars who wanted overdrive and no computer. I just thread a pressure switch into the tranny's test port for whatever gear we want lockup in and presto, full lockup. I can make it lockup in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, just 3rd and 4th, or just 4th, depending on placement of the switch. This tranny has a dual pattern bellhousing and should work wherever a chevy or olds engine goes. The main reason I am interested in the NA 6.2/6.5 is that I want to have a reasonable amount of acceleration (maybe 0-60 in under 11 seconds). It doesn't need to be blazing fast, but I don't want it to be a sluggo either. If the 6.2/6.5 is the size of a BBC, then I could use it for sure. If the acceleration of a 5.7 diesel could match my goals, then I'd be inclined to use it. The problem is, I have driven a few of them, and while I do not believe that they are the clods that they have been made out to be, I also know that in a big car like mine (1984 Olds 98 Regency, last of the big, heavy,RWD jobs) they do 0-60 in about 20 seconds, which is just too slow for me. I figure that 11 seconds would require about 150 hp, and that's why I am leaning toward the 6.2. If anyone knows how to get that from a 350 diesel, I am all ears... BTW, thanks for your input, everyone.

think would go with 6.2/6.5 for parts. been around longer than 5.7, the latter 5.7's were beefed up.