I read an article that the reason the engines got a bad reputation is because the components were very similar to the gasoline engine's, but different (e.g, reinforced) and when mechanics were working on them they, being ignorant (or perhaps wanting to shave a few dollars off parts-costs) used the gasoline engine's parts.
If that's the case then I cannot fault the engine itself. (But perhaps GM should have publicized the differences a bit more.)
We had a pick up with the converted gas engine, the block cracked after 20k miles and the replacement cracked at 100k.
It actually ran pretty good and had great torque in the mountains, we never had many problems at all until the two catastrophic failures.
no.. they were just junk. GM replaced a lot of um under warranty. Stretched held bolts seemed to be the main issues if I remember right.
The engine did start off as a gas engine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Diesel_engine