Practically Classics Forum

I've just launched a new series of my Car Restoration Diary's featuring our 1 Litre Turbo Diesel Daihatsu Charade. They don't get more practical than that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8vOOBggkDI

I never even knew such a thing existed! Will have to take a look in the morning.

It their own power unit, or did they use something off the shelf? Seem to recall there being. Kubota 3-pot that was around that capacity.

Surprised the weight penalty of diesel was deemed worth it for such a small engine.

Zelandeth wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 16, 2018 10:16 pm

I never even knew such a thing existed! Will have to take a look in the morning.

It their own power unit, or did they use something off the shelf? Seem to recall there being. Kubota 3-pot that was around that capacity.

Surprised the weight penalty of diesel was deemed worth it for such a small engine.

I think they developed it themselves and that was part of why Toyota bought them out. I think the modern three pot petrols in the Yaris are related. Similar derivitives of this engine were Turbo Charged Petrol, Diesel and n/a diesel. They were thinking way ahead of their time. Enjoy your research.

As one who has been a willing accomplice in the destruction of a couple of (terminally rotten) Charade Diesels in order to keep Reliants going, I shall enjoy this thread.. In my defence, it's not like I punched a baby labrador or stamped on a mouse that wasn't already dead, this was all about keeping old motors motoring.

That Daihatsu Diesel engine is a wee gem, in my opinion only bettered in grunt per cc terms by Mercedes' OM660, the 799cc unit found under the boot floor in Smart ForTwos with power output ranging between 45 and 71bhp. Both are extremely solidly built 3 pot motors, the Merc one being one of only two Diesels ever built in a version that was safe for use in aircraft.. And people wonder why I won't fly!

Thanks for the informative reply John about the Smart engines. Hey, I came to restoration from learning to keep old Kadett's going, racing around fields as a kid. I've paid my penance now restoring more of these cars than I wrecked, and have even had parts off some of those wrecks to help recent projects. Our 'c'arma will be weighed in at the end. Meanwhile here's part two of the new series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36k9Y7W ... QV18m59v9E

In this weeks video I disconnected all the wiring and cables around the engine getting ready to take it out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h8Nn97 ... 9E&index=3

Finally extracted the engine today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-RTDBO ... QV18m59v9E

I had a cracking time trying to remove the windscreen from the Daihatsu Charade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3nEDMc ... 9E&index=6

I had to dig deep to gouge the horrible bonded windscreen out of the Daihatsu Charade. I'll be glad to get back to working on older cars. I also cheekily used our Nissan Leaf to pull the Charade out into the sun. You can see why electric forklifts are popular. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoeB60t ... QV18m59v9E

Removing the drivers door to create access to repair A pillar and sill. https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=7waGlQqpXhk