Project 67 GMC custom 6.5 turbo diesel

[mal68ibu]

I got a little busy on this thing the last couple days. I needed some time away from my business 24/7 schedule. Obviously from the pics I have quite a bit of the motor together. We tweaked the injection pump to put a little more juice out. Studded the top end of the motor. Threw a new timing gearset on. Beadblasted the intake and front engine cover. Painted it chevy orange to go with its new surroundings. I'm now waiting for the lower end girdle kit and the dmax fan, H/O water pump and 180 hi flow thermostat to show up before I bolt up the oil pan and toss the accessories back on. I was going to add a fluidampr to it but I've deceided to hold off for a little while because I still need to purchase the intercooler and piping kit. Maybe once I've sold the ranger I'll pony up the cash for the fluidampr. In the mean time I'll be tearing the front clip off the gmc pictured and removing the vacuum power brakes, engine, trans, and heater dog house. I'll give it all a bath and paint up all the tin under the hood.

[67_C-30]

Looks great! These engines look better with a color besides the factory black. I'm going with Detroit Diesel alpine green on mine since thewy were designed by Detroit. That's the color Detroit was using in '67 when the truck was built, so I felt it was fitting.

[mal68ibu]

Thats pretty sweet. My buddy wanted me to find a pair of old chevrolet scripted valve covers so he could cut the chevrolet out and graft it onto the drivers side valve cover for me, but that would have stretched my patience too much. I really wanted it to be chevy orange RIGHT NOW!!! I'll post more pics once I get the rest of the stuff bolted on and once I start tearing apart my truck.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by mal68ibu

Thats pretty sweet. My buddy wanted me to find a pair of old chevrolet scripted valve covers so he could cut the chevrolet out and graft it onto the drivers side valve cover for me, but that would have stretched my patience too much. I really wanted it to be chevy orange RIGHT NOW!!! I'll post more pics once I get the rest of the stuff bolted on and once I start tearing apart my truck.

Can't wait to see it!

[mal68ibu]

Manufactured some free time this week to cut and grind what needed to be (and then some) and get the engine nestled into its new home. Sorta. Everything is marked and the engine is resting there, but I need to pull it back out and have the towers welded down. I'll detail pics of my ugly cutting/hacking job on the frame and after everything is welded in and what I had to clearance on the th400 and maybe the frame to get the crossover tube to fit. Factory heat shields are a definate no-no on this project. No room for the studs or the tin. Hopefully I'll have the 6.5 in its final resting place pretty soon. Pics to follow.

[67_C-30]

Thanks! I appreciate the heads up on the SBC mounts. I'll post better pics when I get it back in, but the BBC mounts put raise it enough that the heatshields and would actually fit. I have the studded manifold bolts, and they are nearly an inch away from the frame. Your mounts may be stronger. How will the 67-71 mount hold up? - that may be another story. We'll see...

[mal68ibu]

Two more.

[mal68ibu]

Ok so its getting really close to D day. I'm actually trying to drop the motor this weekend. My stud girdle kit was delayed, but they took care of me and shipped it expediated on their dime. I got my waterpump (from SSdiesel supply) bolted up, started bolting up the accessories, painted the exhaust manifolds, got a D-max clutch fan for it (from ssdiesel supply), and backed the truck into its hole and pulled the front clip. For you guys east of the Rockies this should make you jealous. I unbolted everything with a 1/4 drive, 3/8 drive ratchet, hand wrenches, and a screwdriver. Had the bumper and clip off it in about an hour, to hour and a half. So the engine with everything on it needs to be sold. The power brake system needs to be sold and I need to pull the entire heater out of the truck. I'll cut a peice to cover and bolt up to the firewall to cover the heater holes, I'll install a cable driven throttle, and intall a full hydroboost system for the brakes. So here's the pics.

[67_C-30]

Subscribed! When I get back from vacation, I'm going to be putting mine in. It is on the stand, assembled and ready to put in. I've pretty decided to intercool mine as well to help with towing, so I'll have to plumb that also.

[67_C-30]

What are your plans for the radiator?

[mal68ibu]

I'm going to run a stock 4 core and see how that does. I'm going to run an external oil cooler, that I grabbed from the 93 donor truck. I was thinking about pulling the stone guard out and and building an air scoop so that it pushes air up, that way I can lay the trans and engine oil coolers down flat, and blow air UP through them, as the intercooler is going to take up some real estate behind the grill.