6.2 diesel into a '68 C/30 ??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wbmoore · 08-25-2002, 10:44 PM

How do ? Has anyone installed a 6.2 diesel out of a '84 C/30 into a '68 C/30 ?
Are there any problems with this swap ? The '84 has a 700R4.....the '68 is a 4-speed. I know I'll have to add a crossmember. Any input will be a huge help.....Thanks. brad moore. Or is it a stupid thing to do ??!!

*racedvl* · 08-25-2002, 10:45 PM

If I rembember correctly, older GM diesels were not very good engines.

68 Suburban · 08-25-2002, 11:08 PM

If you get it done, I sure would like to see it. I have always wanted to put a diesel in my burb.

toms68cst · 08-25-2002, 11:38 PM

One of the guys in Austrialia or New Zealand from this board has done it. Anyone remember his Handle? I think it'd be cool.

Longhorn Man · 08-25-2002, 11:57 PM

It would be cool to do a deisel conversion, I just don't think I'd use that engine. The 6.2 had a problematic injector pump, and the 6.5 with the turbo is better, but still not up the the torque expected from a deisel engine.
Some people will swear by the 6.2/6.5 family, many were built and lived very long lives, but there were many that were junk too.
Even the Chevete line up had a few good ones, my dad had one when i was little that was a great car. I guess you win some and lose some.

O'l Buck · 08-26-2002, 02:47 AM

that's a project i'd love to try sometime myself. I've always had good luck with the 6.2, and my dad's always had bad luck with them, i had one that went over 300,000 miles and is still going with who knows how many on it......dad had one that made it to 72,000 and the crank broke......

they kinda get this "hollow" sound about 5,000 miles before they hand grenade.

if they are built right and the pump is tuned proper like (full fuel), they make good power and blow coal black smoke....that's the part I like best.....hehe....

they are derived from the 454, so will bolt to any Chevy transmission, and big block mounts are required. Plus you have to have a 4 core radiator that has an oil cooler as well as the tranny cooler if your running an automatic. Ignition is simple, 1 wire to the roosamaster pump.

Have fun building it......sounds like a ball!!!

one of these days i'll find a cheap truck somewhere and pick up a 6.2

P.S. if you disassemle the engine and discover the heads are cracked between the valves......don't bother looking for good used ones....just use the ones you have because i'm pretty sure they were all cracked from the factory....lol......i've rebuilt 6 of them, and put uncracked heads on 1 of them....none of them had ever burned a valve and still haven't as far as i know.

sam's 72 · 08-26-2002, 10:53 PM

I agree with longhornmail, I had one in a 83 truck, when I bought my boat it would load that truck down big time, the boat was 17.6 feet long, didnt weigh that much, could push it around by hand. Any way, I would find a 7.3 powerstroke out of a FORD, I hate to say this but these engine are very good. I wish Chevy would have put these in there trucks, then you could buy one and not have to buy another truck for 20 years! One draw back with the powerstroke though, they weigh a lot. I have one in my other truck 97 4x4 short wheel base, it has 120000 mile on it and all I have ever done to the engine is change the oil. I know I will probabley get hammered for posting this, but I look at how much money and time you are going to spend doing this conversion, and when your done, I dont think your going to be happy with the power the 6.2 makes. Just my 2 cents worth. By the way, I know a guy that has a powerstroke in a 95 4x4 chevy, he used the e4od tranny. It is a awesome truck, I think if something were to happen to my ford, I would pull the engine and put it in a chevy.
Sam

Longhorn Man · 08-26-2002, 11:06 PM

Sam, I'll agree with you 100% for heavy duty aplications.
And um...you need to chainge your fuel filter.

sam's 72 · 08-26-2002, 11:14 PM

Longhornmail,
I through the fuel filter away! ..............J/K I forgot to mention the fuel filter, I change it about every 15000, and the air filter too! I clean it every 5000 though. This is something I been working on lately, I been pumping up the horses on my powerstroke. My 72 is in th tranny shop getting a 700r4 put in it.
sam

lukecp · 08-26-2002, 11:26 PM

Personaly, i think that Chevy diesels suck. I hate to say it, but a Powerstroke or even a Cummins is sooo much better. But hey, neither Ford or Dodge actually makes their own diesels. If you could get around the tranny, a Powerstroke would be pretty cool in a 67-72. Good fuel mileage, and gobbs of tourqe

.

O'l Buck · 08-27-2002, 01:24 AM

oh yeah, speaking of fuel filters, your gonna want to use the filter housing from your 84, and I can't remember if they are heated or not....if not.....go with a John Deere filter housing....they use dual filters and flow well..........

dang, am I the only guy in the whole world that likes 6.2's????

C10 - C90 Bill · 08-27-2002, 11:22 AM

If I'm correct, the Ford 7.3 Powerstroke is made by Navistar which is an International engine. I always wanted to put a 3-53 Detroit in my 1 Ton. But you really need to be a Detroit lover for that application. I even have a Detroit in my farm tractor. '59 JD 435 with a 2-53 Detroit.

O'l Buck · 08-27-2002, 01:09 PM

2 cycle detroits rock!!!!!........we used to have a 65 KW with a 318 8V-71 and i know a guy that has a 86 Chevy crew cab dually with a 4-53 and 2 stick 3X5 trans......awsome!!

Rod · 10-05-2002, 12:20 AM

Well I ran up with the guy I sold my 69 3/4 4x4 chassis too... he's putting a 6.5 turbo diesel in it hooking it t a NP 205 tranfsfer case and 350 automatic ... so far... he asked me today about an allison automatic tranny adapter to the np205 ... anyone know if one exists.

mikep · 10-05-2002, 12:27 AM

I cant remember where but theres a few firms selling takeout 6.4 diesels out of military AM General HMMV's. Make for a decent conversation piece anyway if you could figure a way of hooking it up to a transmission. The hum of those things always used to lull me to sleep when I was in the Army. Thats not really a good thing when your'e driving.

Truck Hippy · 10-05-2002, 10:05 AM

Hey. Several years ago, i saw a 71-2 chevy truck at the Daytona Turkey Run, that had been put on a 90-something 1-ton frame. It was a very sharp truck. They used an Isuzu (did i spell that right?) diesel motor in it. I talked to the guy some and it was a neat set up but he had put spray on foam insulation all over the fire wall. It looked really bad. He said that the motor was so loud inside the cab that he had to do something. If i had Donald Trump money, i would like to have a new Big Block (496ci. i think) in our model trucks complete with fuel injection. That would be really coool!! Excuse me while i wipe away the drool.

Benrs86 · 10-05-2002, 10:06 AM

somewhat off topic, but we are putting a 89 cummins in a 66 dodge crewcab,, or, i guess were more putting a 66 dodge crewcab on the 89 frame. i think a deisel in a 67-72 would rock. good luck, Ben

Longhorn Man · 10-05-2002, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikep
I cant remember where but theres a few firms selling takeout 6.4 diesels out of military AM General HMMV's...

Mike, the HMMV 1 1/4 ton truck has the 6.2 and the new ones have 6.5 turbos. The 6.2 is hooked to a normal old TH400, and the 6.5 is bolted to an overdrive....not sure which one though.
GM actually sold this engine to AM General...but then later purchased AM General, so they have there lump of iron back in house now.

Chevyman69 · 10-06-2002, 12:53 AM

A guy I know here has a 78 Chev 1 ton with a Cummins 5.9 in it, actaully is an easier swap than most people think and he has done well enough it looks factory. His truck is a 4 wheel drive and he ended up notching the oil pan to drop the motor down further in the engine bay and then fabbed his brackets for the A/c and the rest worked out. He used the Dodge automatic tranny, but adapting for a 4 or 5 speed is a lot easier. Runs well and has aton of power. Stay away from GM diesels, there a waste of cast iron. 7.3L isn't any screaming hell either, good old International, can't build anything better than a bread truck, one of the cheapest trucks on the road. I'd go with Cat or Cummins in mine but preferably I stick to gas in my trucks.

Project1970 · 10-06-2002, 02:45 AM

Personally, if I was going to swap a diesel into one of these trucks, I'd do my best to get the new Duramax Diesel. It looks like it's easily the most powerful diesel out there, you're technically staying at least somewhat in the family (Isuzu is kinda half-brother to GM these days, heh...along with BMW if you believe me)

Just a thought. Duramax's are going to be hard to find and expensive for a while, though, I bet.

08-25-2002, 10:44 PM	#1
wbmoore Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Big Bar, California Posts: 136	6.2 diesel into a '68 C/30 ??? How do ? Has anyone installed a 6.2 diesel out of a '84 C/30 into a '68 C/30 ? Are there any problems with this swap ? The '84 has a 700R4.....the '68 is a 4-speed. I know I'll have to add a crossmember. Any input will be a huge help.....Thanks. brad moore. Or is it a stupid thing to do ??!!

08-25-2002, 11:08 PM	#3
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	If you get it done, I sure would like to see it. I have always wanted to put a diesel in my burb. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

08-25-2002, 11:38 PM	#4
toms68cst Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Bismarck, ND Posts: 4,282	One of the guys in Austrialia or New Zealand from this board has done it. Anyone remember his Handle? I think it'd be cool. __________________ Unrestored 68 C-10 CST. Original 327. 4-Speed CH465. 50k or so miles. TREASURER, Drum Brake Club.

08-26-2002, 02:47 AM	#6
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	that's a project i'd love to try sometime myself. I've always had good luck with the 6.2, and my dad's always had bad luck with them, i had one that went over 300,000 miles and is still going with who knows how many on it......dad had one that made it to 72,000 and the crank broke...... they kinda get this "hollow" sound about 5,000 miles before they hand grenade. if they are built right and the pump is tuned proper like (full fuel), they make good power and blow coal black smoke....that's the part I like best.....hehe.... they are derived from the 454, so will bolt to any Chevy transmission, and big block mounts are required. Plus you have to have a 4 core radiator that has an oil cooler as well as the tranny cooler if your running an automatic. Ignition is simple, 1 wire to the roosamaster pump. Have fun building it......sounds like a ball!!! one of these days i'll find a cheap truck somewhere and pick up a 6.2 P.S. if you disassemle the engine and discover the heads are cracked between the valves......don't bother looking for good used ones....just use the ones you have because i'm pretty sure they were all cracked from the factory....lol......i've rebuilt 6 of them, and put uncracked heads on 1 of them....none of them had ever burned a valve and still haven't as far as i know. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

08-26-2002, 10:53 PM	#7
sam's 72 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pasadena, Texas, USA Posts: 1,005	I agree with longhornmail, I had one in a 83 truck, when I bought my boat it would load that truck down big time, the boat was 17.6 feet long, didnt weigh that much, could push it around by hand. Any way, I would find a 7.3 powerstroke out of a FORD, I hate to say this but these engine are very good. I wish Chevy would have put these in there trucks, then you could buy one and not have to buy another truck for 20 years! One draw back with the powerstroke though, they weigh a lot. I have one in my other truck 97 4x4 short wheel base, it has 120000 mile on it and all I have ever done to the engine is change the oil. I know I will probabley get hammered for posting this, but I look at how much money and time you are going to spend doing this conversion, and when your done, I dont think your going to be happy with the power the 6.2 makes. Just my 2 cents worth. By the way, I know a guy that has a powerstroke in a 95 4x4 chevy, he used the e4od tranny. It is a awesome truck, I think if something were to happen to my ford, I would pull the engine and put it in a chevy. Sam __________________ 72 LWB chevy truck. Pasadena, Texas

08-25-2002, 10:45 PM	#2
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	If I rembember correctly, older GM diesels were not very good engines.

08-25-2002, 11:57 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	It would be cool to do a deisel conversion, I just don't think I'd use that engine. The 6.2 had a problematic injector pump, and the 6.5 with the turbo is better, but still not up the the torque expected from a deisel engine. Some people will swear by the 6.2/6.5 family, many were built and lived very long lives, but there were many that were junk too. Even the Chevete line up had a few good ones, my dad had one when i was little that was a great car. I guess you win some and lose some.

08-26-2002, 11:06 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Sam, I'll agree with you 100% for heavy duty aplications. And um...you need to chainge your fuel filter.

08-26-2002, 11:14 PM	#9
sam's 72 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pasadena, Texas, USA Posts: 1,005	Longhornmail, I through the fuel filter away! ..............J/K I forgot to mention the fuel filter, I change it about every 15000, and the air filter too! I clean it every 5000 though. This is something I been working on lately, I been pumping up the horses on my powerstroke. My 72 is in th tranny shop getting a 700r4 put in it. sam __________________ 72 LWB chevy truck. Pasadena, Texas

08-26-2002, 11:26 PM	#10
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Personaly, i think that Chevy diesels suck. I hate to say it, but a Powerstroke or even a Cummins is sooo much better. But hey, neither Ford or Dodge actually makes their own diesels. If you could get around the tranny, a Powerstroke would be pretty cool in a 67-72. Good fuel mileage, and gobbs of tourqe . __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

08-27-2002, 01:24 AM	#11
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	oh yeah, speaking of fuel filters, your gonna want to use the filter housing from your 84, and I can't remember if they are heated or not....if not.....go with a John Deere filter housing....they use dual filters and flow well.......... dang, am I the only guy in the whole world that likes 6.2's???? __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

08-27-2002, 11:22 AM	#12
C10 - C90 Bill Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Moneta, VA USA Posts: 3,077	If I'm correct, the Ford 7.3 Powerstroke is made by Navistar which is an International engine. I always wanted to put a 3-53 Detroit in my 1 Ton. But you really need to be a Detroit lover for that application. I even have a Detroit in my farm tractor. '59 JD 435 with a 2-53 Detroit.

08-27-2002, 01:09 PM	#13
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	2 cycle detroits rock!!!!!........we used to have a 65 KW with a 318 8V-71 and i know a guy that has a 86 Chevy crew cab dually with a 4-53 and 2 stick 3X5 trans......awsome!! __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

10-05-2002, 12:20 AM	#14
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	Well I ran up with the guy I sold my 69 3/4 4x4 chassis too... he's putting a 6.5 turbo diesel in it hooking it t a NP 205 tranfsfer case and 350 automatic ... so far... he asked me today about an allison automatic tranny adapter to the np205 ... anyone know if one exists. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

10-05-2002, 12:27 AM	#15
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I cant remember where but theres a few firms selling takeout 6.4 diesels out of military AM General HMMV's. Make for a decent conversation piece anyway if you could figure a way of hooking it up to a transmission. The hum of those things always used to lull me to sleep when I was in the Army. Thats not really a good thing when your'e driving. __________________ No truck :-(



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10-05-2002, 10:05 AM	#16
Truck Hippy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Hickory, NC. Posts: 776	Hey. Several years ago, i saw a 71-2 chevy truck at the Daytona Turkey Run, that had been put on a 90-something 1-ton frame. It was a very sharp truck. They used an Isuzu (did i spell that right?) diesel motor in it. I talked to the guy some and it was a neat set up but he had put spray on foam insulation all over the fire wall. It looked really bad. He said that the motor was so loud inside the cab that he had to do something. If i had Donald Trump money, i would like to have a new Big Block (496ci. i think) in our model trucks complete with fuel injection. That would be really coool!! Excuse me while i wipe away the drool.

10-05-2002, 10:06 AM	#17
Benrs86 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Brandon, SD, USA Posts: 1,292	somewhat off topic, but we are putting a 89 cummins in a 66 dodge crewcab,, or, i guess were more putting a 66 dodge crewcab on the 89 frame. i think a deisel in a 67-72 would rock. good luck, Ben __________________ Brandon, SD 69 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd wide long bed with wood 3 on the tree 350 engine 4 bolt main rv cam AIM = Alphray04

10-06-2002, 12:53 AM	#19
Chevyman69 Vortec 350's Suck Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Pickardville Alberta Canada Posts: 544	A guy I know here has a 78 Chev 1 ton with a Cummins 5.9 in it, actaully is an easier swap than most people think and he has done well enough it looks factory. His truck is a 4 wheel drive and he ended up notching the oil pan to drop the motor down further in the engine bay and then fabbed his brackets for the A/c and the rest worked out. He used the Dodge automatic tranny, but adapting for a 4 or 5 speed is a lot easier. Runs well and has aton of power. Stay away from GM diesels, there a waste of cast iron. 7.3L isn't any screaming hell either, good old International, can't build anything better than a bread truck, one of the cheapest trucks on the road. I'd go with Cat or Cummins in mine but preferably I stick to gas in my trucks. __________________ 69 Chev CST 10 reg cab lwb Daily Driver: 92 Chev Reg Cab LWB Silverado 4x4, K.I.A 7:51 AM 04/22/03 Will be resurrected

10-06-2002, 02:45 AM	#20
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	Personally, if I was going to swap a diesel into one of these trucks, I'd do my best to get the new Duramax Diesel. It looks like it's easily the most powerful diesel out there, you're technically staying at least somewhat in the family (Isuzu is kinda half-brother to GM these days, heh...along with BMW if you believe me) Just a thought. Duramax's are going to be hard to find and expensive for a while, though, I bet. __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

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