N/A 6.5 Diesel

[Seraph]

okay, well my 350 that i was planning to build for my 72 has taken a back seat due to being a poor college kid. I live 35 miles from my school so i really need something that gets good gas mileage and is somewhat reliable. This is were the 6.5 comes in......my dad bought an 85 chevy one ton a year or so back and the body is practically falling apart around it, so it has sitting up for about 6 or 7 months. The motor is basically new with only 35,000 miles on it. My dad said i could have the motor so i have a few questions about this swap. im not trying to make power, this thing is slow! i just want better mileage and reliability...so here are my questions.

1. I have noticed the diesels radiator is too big to fit into my 72 without modification, do you think just a stock four core Rad would keep the motor cool?

2. i have read both that the small block mounts will work and then i have heard they wont....any input? it is still sitting in the 85 right now.

3. What all will i need as far as the wiring goes? and what would be the best way to set up the wiring for the glow plug relay?

thats about all i have for questions(im sure ill have more lol!)! since i know everyone are picture lovers around here............
thanks in advance everyone!!!!!

[Clyde65]

I dont think the 85 came with anything but a 6.2 Deisel.

[GASoline71]

I bet it will cost a lot more to do the gas to diesel conversion than to just rebuild the 350 to stock form.

Gary

[Seraph]

Clyde- yes, you are correct on it only coming with a 6.2 but the previous owner blew the 6.2 and bought the 6.5 brand new from gm.

GASonline- sorry if i didn't make it clear, i plan to swap the whole diesel motor as is into my 72.

[C20-67_N_MO]

Sounds like a pretty cool swap.

Even though we may not know much about it, I'm sure it can be done.

Might have to make some modifications here and there but sounds doable!

Good luck!

[Seraph]

Originally Posted by C20-67_N_MO

Sounds like a pretty cool swap.

Even though we may not know much about it, I'm sure it can be done.

Might have to make some modifications here and there but sounds doable!

Good luck!

Thank you!
i am looking forward to getting started on this project!
hopefully it will turn out okay....hahaaa

[storm9c1]

I was looking to do a turbo diesel swap at one time, only to run into a wall trying to find anyone that would sell me a nice turnkey motor with a warranty (when I say turnkey, I mean everything that makes it run, including turbo and pipes, computer, etc). As soon as they hear drop-in (modified from gas to diesel) they want nothing to do with the project.

Anyways, there's lots of good info on the 'net about this type of swap, and some good stuff here if you search.

From what I recall in my research, the 6.2/6.5 block has the same motor mounts as a 350.

Some other misc. issues: Accessory drive is different. You may need a return line for fuel. The normal 4-core rad will barely keep it cool -- you either need to go with a very high flow electric fan setup or a very good mechanical fan setup. Cooling is very important due to the higher compression of a diesel, and the older blocks were known for cracking. You need a different flexplate and torque converter if you run an automatic. The diesel produces lots more torque down low and the converter needs to lock up at a lower RPM.

Don't expect huge gas mileage savings without a turbo since the diesel (lacking the turbo) will be working hard.

Granted I am not an expert, as I gave up on my own project due to lack of finding sufficient parts suppliers (esp for the turbo application). Hopefully someone else can chime in who actually DID this work and had success.

[Clyde65]

I stand corrected by this site....

http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/


The GM light-truck 6.2L and 6.5L diesel engines were optional in the 1982-2000 C/K series pickup trucks, and in the Suburban, Chevy Tahoe & Blazer, GMC Yukon & Jimmy, vans, and motor homes (RV) - in both turbo diesel (TD) and naturally aspirated (NA) versions. In addition, low cost and ready availability have made these engines extremely popular the world over for diesel conversion projects; powering Land Rovers, Land Cruisers, and a host of other foreign and domestic production vehicles.


look here too...
http://www.gm-diesel.com/vbull/showthread.php?t=12553

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I stand corrected by this site....

http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com/


The GM light-truck 6.2L and 6.5L diesel engines were optional in the 1982-2000 C/K series pickup trucks, and in the Suburban, Chevy Tahoe & Blazer, GMC Yukon & Jimmy, vans, and motor homes (RV) - in both turbo diesel (TD) and naturally aspirated (NA) versions. In addition, low cost and ready availability have made these engines extremely popular the world over for diesel conversion projects; powering Land Rovers, Land Cruisers, and a host of other foreign and domestic production vehicles.


look here too...
http://www.gm-diesel.com/vbull/showthread.php?t=12553

No you were right. The 6.5 didn't debut until 1992. The 6.5TD debuted in 1993, although dealer installed Banks Turbo conversions had been available on 6.2's since 1989.

Here's a 6.2 buildup from Diesel Power that is pretty good. Its nice to see these old engines get a little love!
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/c...up/index1.html

[hugger6933]

That will be a very cool swap I love the 6.2/6.5. I had one in a 89 truck that I drove for a bout 200k [it had 120 when i got it] . I have thought of the same for my 68 3/4 ton GMC. It will be slow as you said but I think you can get some mileage out of it but, without a overdrive I don't think it will be stellar. Jim

[trusty72]

sounds like a cool idea, but honestly all the hidden extras that come up during a swap will probably cost more than a budget 350 rebuild, its the cheapest motor on earth to rebuild. if you are truely on a tight budget i wouldnt even start the swap unless your a good welder/ fabricator. sorry to seam negative, but learn from my mistakes.

[ronh72c10]

Sounds cool, I'm putting a NA 6.5 in the 72 4x4, it helps alot to have a complete vehicle to pull parts off of, it reduces the nickle and dime factor of just getting an engine and hunting for the various bits and pieces you need.

I'm planning on using SBC motor mounts for mine, I hadn't looked at the core support yet so the rad size issue hadn't come up for me yet. Even so I do still plan on using the rad that came with my donor van, if I have to open up the core support I will. Don't forget you'll want the hydroboost out of it as well and some fabrication will be required to connect the MC to the brake pedal.

Good Luck.

Ron

[woodwright]

This is a pretty easy swap. I just got a low milage 6.2 that I'm gonna put in my 70 K10 with a 5 speed. From what I've read, it helps alot to run bigger exhaust and a less restrictive intake. Then you can turn the pump up just a fuzz. with an OD trans and the right gears I've heard of guys getting 25 or better in a 2wd.

['72customdeluxe]

I think you will get excellent mileage, depending on gears though. I can't see a diesel getting good mileage at full tilt on the highway (3.73's or 4.10's) but I may be wrong. 3.07's or an o/d trans would be good though

[dwaite72lnghrn]

If the '72 has power brakes you will need to change to the hydro boost out of the donor. Is the donor an automatic trans then pull the whole thing and swap it.

[packers05]

do it man how can you beat a donar truck on site? You should just pick up a used turboset up off ebay and you will like the power an sound a lot better or just sell me the motor!!! good luck

[Seraph]

Thank you everyone for the knowledge on the subject and helpful tips.
i will be starting this project next week sometime! i have till the end of summer break(late august) so maybe ill start up a build thread sometime.

[Overdrive]

I am looking into taking all the parts from my 6.2 1984 C10 and putting them in my 67 GMC. I think that using big block motor mounts would help with exhaust manifold clearance to the frame, but apparently the frame towers from the later trucks fit by modifying a few holes. My 84 Chevy got regular 24 MPG driving around everywhere. Has a 4 speed overdrive manual trans.

Also, 6.2 and 6.5's are of the same type, just with slight differences. There's a few build threads on this site that I've seen. Searching might find what you're after.

[capev86]

Has a 4 speed overdrive manual trans.

what trans is that?


anyway....looks like a cool project!

[Overdrive]

MY6 New-Process 4-speed... basically a Chrysler A-833 with GM tailhousing, input shaft and front case bolt pattern. Gears inside are the same as a Chrysler A-833 overdrive trans.

[lilred67]

Originally Posted by Overdrive

MY6 New-Process 4-speed... basically a Chrysler A-833 with GM tailhousing, input shaft and front case bolt pattern. Gears inside are the same as a Chrysler A-833 overdrive trans.

his donor truck is a 1-ton. i'm sure is has a sm465 4 speed in it.

[lilred67]

i would love to do this swap myself. i had a high milage '83 c-10, 6.2l, 700r4, 3.42's that would get 21+ on the highway.

[Seraph]

thanks for all the replies everyone!
does anyone have any ideas about a radiator option?
i would like to get away with not having to cut my core support......i am open to ideas.
this is really the last thing i need to get worked out before i dive in this next week!
Cheers

[67_C-30]

Sorry I'm late to party, I've been busy with work and house rebuild.

On the radiator, you can use a Big Block 4 row radiator from these trucks. You will need the radiator mounts and cushings from donor truck, but they will fit your rad support. These radiators are actually a good bit thicker than a 6.2 radiator from an 80's truck, but the 6.2 radiator is bigger.

On the motor mounts, I'm not sure if this will be the same on a '72 because the motors are different, but I had to use Big Block frame mounts. The engine would bolt in with SBC but the manifolds were basically laying on the frame. As you can see by these, big block mounts put exactly where it needs to be.






I used the hydroboost set up off of an 80's Chevy truck. I had to trim the backing plate, and drill holes, but it bolted right up. I also had to lengthen the rod that goes brake pedal. I cut rod, threaded both sides, and made a thread sleeve to lengthen it and make it adjustable.



I had to run a return line to the fuel tank, but your '72 should already have a return line. If you go with 6.5 turbo set-up, you have to run the exhaust out of the frame rail because it is so wide.

Malibu68 has done this swap, and there's a lot of great info on his build thread as well. Here is his thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=290922



Its not a bad swap, and these engines are known their economy and reliability if you realize what they are - a light duty diesel designed primarily for ecomony. If you want a 12 second diesel truck or what to pull a 15,000# 5th wheel trailer, get a Duramax or a Cummins. I love mine. I have had several trucks over the years with these engines, and have had 2 of them with over 300,000 miles and still going strong. I just recently bought a M1009 CUCV military Blazer with a 6.2 in it. Its got 46,000 original miles on it, so I plan on driving it for a while.



BTW, these are a great sounding engine, especially with a turbo. Here's inspiration for you!

YouTube- IT LIVES! 6.2L Turbo Diesel in '67 C-30...

[1950ChevySuburban]

I put a 6.2 in my '72, made my own mounts. Kept the stock vacuum brake booster and using the vacuum pump that came with the diesel. When I go to power steering, I'll go hydro-boost.
Runs real well, but first gear is useless. Makes for a fun Home Depot cruiser!