Diesel Conversion
 

Hey Guys, I got a 1971 C-10, I was wondering if anyone had ever put a diesel motor in one of these trucks, 6.2 or 6.5(un-computerized) GM's or the 5.9(un-computerized) Cummins. If so, what are some of the driveline, fuel system etc. concerns and what needs to be done to the front suspenion to support the extra weight? Thanks in advance for your replies.

I wouldn't do the 6.2/6.5 engines...total turds. (I worked on them for 7 1/2 years...)

------------------
'69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man
I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it.
FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite.
If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com
Andy, in Columbus Ohio

i know a guy on another board that put a 6.2 in his chevy. his truck is a 81-87 can't remember exactly what year. he uses the truck to pull 5th wheel stuff and he likes it alot. if you want to contact him let me know and i will get you his email.

I'm thinking of doing this same thing, myself, shouldn't be too big a deal if you have the pickup the 6.2 came out of. I'm pretty sure the motor mounts are different, I know it uses a H.D. radiator, tranny and torque converter should bolt up, driveline and rear should be able to take the torque. I just have to find a cheap 2wd to try it in, I love the smoke when you crank the fuel to the 6.2's. I had a 84 blazer with the 6.2, cranked it up, turned down the leaf spring in the pump 3/4 turn if I remember right. Lots of fun in Lincoln, NE on O street blowing smoke in the rice rocket windows.

------------------
'72 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 shortbox stepside 350/350auto on '84
ralleys and 31/10.5s

67 Cutlass convertible
330, 3spd stick

90 GMC Jimmy
350/auto
Chad Stephens
Orleans,NE

I would try to stay away from the 6.2/6.5 engines. Everyone that i know that has ever had one hated them. Tons of problems with them. The new Duramax would proably be awesome, but it would be pretty hard to find one. I have drove a 2001 Dodge ram with a 5.9/automaic, and i loved it. The truck would haul a$$. If you did the Cummins, the motor mounts would proably have to be fabricated, and you might get stuck using a Dodge tranny.

------------------
Lucas

"Another proud owner of one of the coolest trucks ever built"

drop_shift@hotmail.com

My Daily-Driver: '72 Chevy LWB Custom/10. Rebuilt 350, 300 HP thanks to a few go-fast goodies. Ochre with a white top. Future plans include a frame off restoration, and maybe a blown 383.

I agree on the Duramax; since I don't plan on making my truck a loadhauler, that's the only one I could possibly think of putting in my truck. I've seen 13 second Cumminses, and the Duramax already starts out with 300hp...and 520lb/ft, muahaha...

------------------
Project 1970 - soon to be seen at http://milhouse.treylis.org:81/

the guy i know that has a 6.2 in his has no problem doin mad tire spins in it, and then he hooks up his 5th wheel and drives it across the country

My father has the 6.2 in his 90 GMC. It is a great engine. He had to have the top end redone at 300,000 hard miles. I would lovbe to get the 6.2 into the 67-72 body style. It would them have major power/great fuel economy and sharp looks!

Brent

I had a 83 6.2, I would not do it if I were you. It can be done! But these engines are nothing but pure problems. I have a ford power stroke right now, I am a big time diesel fan, but I hate Fords, the only reason I own this ford is because of the engine, now if you want a bad ass engine to put in your truck, convert it over to the 7.3 power stroke, I wish chevy would have done this with there trucks, then you would have a truck that would last 20 years
sam

A friend of mine had an old GMC with the 6.5 in it, and that engine outlasted the rest of the friggin truck! Been through two crashes that really, could have made the truck a write-off, but it came back from the dead, both times!! Was stolen once, smashed into some trees, down a cliff. Got drunk one night, and we drove it down a cliff ourselves! (not on purpose!!)

I could light the tires up in it! I remember the first time I drove it, and was awe inspired by the amount of power! (My vehicle at the time was an old Ford Fairmont SW, with a straight 6)

------------------
1970 GMC 1500, 350ci, 3 in a tree

http://members.tripod.com/~Jungleman_2/1970GMC.html

Vancouver, B.C.