Reference Manual

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Chapter 1: Engines: Oldsmobile Diesels

The Oldsmobile Diesel was developed during the energy shortages of the seventies as a solution to improve the fuel economy of the large vehicles of the day.

First introduced in 1978 in the form of a 350 cubic inch (5.7L) engine, the 350 diesel remained in production until 1985. During it's eight years of production the Oldsmobile diesel 350 was installed in nearly every GM line that offered a V8 engine.

In addition to the 350, two other Oldsmobile Diesels were produced. The first, a smaller version of the 350, a 260 cubic inch (4.3L) V8. The 260 V8 diesel was introduced in 1979 and discontinued after 1980. The second, also 260 cubic inches (4.3L), was a V6 introduced in 1982 and continued in production until 1985.