1973 c30 camper special diesel engine question?

[wheelyneil]

Hello All
I am new to the forum and was hoping someone could help me with this question.
I bought a 1973 c30 dually camper special w/crew cab that has a diesel engine in it, can anyone one tell me what size or ID this engine would be if it was stock from the factory.
If there is more than one type I can post some picture later to help. I need to install new glow plugs and do some wiring and just don know enough about this truck to get started.
Thanks you very much for any reponce and help!
Take care all.

[BowTieOgre]

Welcome to the site!

I sure wish I could help you but im not finding anything with a quick search. If your truck still has the RPO sticker in the glovebox just look at the code on it. Here are a few links that have decent info.

GM dealer brochures

chuckschevytruckpages

I did check the RockAuto parts site and they did NOT list a diesel engine as an option for the '73 trucks.

[Pyrotechnic]

Diesels weren't an option in 73 from the factory. I'd start my guesses with factory GM diesels. A 6.2 or 6.5L V8 GM diesel will drop right into small block of big block V8 motor mounts and bolt to a Chevrolet pattern trans, so this is the most natural swap.

Pics will help us best identify your engine.

[wheelyneil]

Thanks you all for starting the help, I have search Hi and low for info and come up empty.
On the A 6.2 or 6.5L V8 GM diesel is there any way to id those engines by some simple method?
I will post a couple pictures tomorrow maybe you guys with knowing this info can help.

I just wanted to say thanks again for your help because I am lost for sure.

Take care and happy holidays

[wheelyneil]

Originally Posted by BowTieOgre

Welcome to the site!

I sure wish I could help you but im not finding anything with a quick search. If your truck still has the RPO sticker in the glovebox just look at the code on it. Here are a few links that have decent info.

GM dealer brochures

chuckschevytruckpages

I did check the RockAuto parts site and they did NOT list a diesel engine as an option for the '73 trucks.

Hey thanks for the links they will help very much !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Take care

[Russell]

If you can get us pictures of the engine, we'll have a much easier time identifying it.

Could be an old GMC Toroflow diesel, a new 6.x, a Cummins, etc

[wheelyneil]

Thank Guy I'll post some pic's tomorrow hopfully we can figure it out. Have a nice night.

[wheelyneil]

hello again
Well I got a few pictures hope you all can tell what it is. from the vin numbers it appears to be a 74 but I still am not sure title say 73 go figure.
Anyways the pictures are the best I can do, the right side of engine has so much stuff around it I cant get a good picture of that side.
But the vin number is on the plate hopfully that will give you guys enough info. Take a look please!
Take care and again thanks for the help on figuring this engine ID.

[jeffspower]

It looks like an '82- '83 6.2 to me. The glow plug controller in the rear of the driver's side head in your one pic tells me this. Somewhere around '84- '85 they went to a totally different controller. '81s were painted red. Yours is also the HD non- egr version from a 3/4 ton or heavier truck.

The air cleaner base looks like it has been modified from a 6.9/ 7.3 Ford.

[wheelyneil]

Originally Posted by jeffspower

It looks like an '82- '83 6.2 to me. The glow plug controller in the rear of the driver's side head in your one pic tells me this. Somewhere around '84- '85 they went to a totally different controller. '81s were painted red. Yours is also the HD non- egr version from a 3/4 ton or heavier truck.

The air cleaner base looks like it has been modified from a 6.9/ 7.3 Ford.

Thanks i will start looking into it a little further all help is greatly welcomed.
take care

[wheelyneil]

you know this truck is a odd cookie the other fellas have said that this truck didnt come with a diesel but the darn gauge cluster says use only diesel fuel. I guess that must have been changed too.
Heck I dont know this is driving me mad

[jeffspower]

That's definitely an early '80s cluster. Looks like the guy that done the swap had both trucks parked side by side & swapped just about everything.

[wheelyneil]

Originally Posted by jeffspower

That's definitely an early '80s cluster. Looks like the guy that done the swap had both trucks parked side by side & swapped just about everything.

Now you see why I am going nuts....lol
Does the 82-83 6.2 take the same glow plugs or is there a change in design.
Thanks

[wheelyneil]

Just wanted to say I have to sign off till monday, but any info help would be great, and thanks to anyone who adds more info cause I am jumpin in this thing with both feet and I cant see bottom........
Take care all, Ill look in Monday

[68K20 x Drill]

I think the round fuel filters are pre 84(date of change unknown)
Good chance there is a date on the back of the instrument cluster that is the same as the engine.
Also if it has the starter on the wrong side for a Chevy(driver), it as an earlier 5.7 diesel which used the BOP tranny.

[wheelyneil]

Originally Posted by 68K20 x Drill

I think the round fuel filters are pre 84(date of change unknown)
Good chance there is a date on the back of the instrument cluster that is the same as the engine.
Also if it has the starter on the wrong side for a Chevy(driver), it as an earlier 5.7 diesel which used the BOP tranny.

Thanks so much for the info I am working on things now and starting to get to the bottom of this night mare.
Take care

[Robert1970C20rstbukt]

Well it didn't have a diesel from the factory, the 5.7 olds diesel came out in '79 and was discontinued in '82(thank you arveetek for correcting me, i was a little off on the years there)

Jeffspower is right though, that cluster is from an early 80's truck because it has the 81-83 only wiper switch.

[arveetek]

You definitely have a 6.2L diesel that someone has swapped in. The instrument panel has been swapped in as well. Any glow plug from a 5.7L, 6.2L, or 6.5L will work, but I would suggest you get AC Delco 60G glow plugs. Ask for those by name at the parts store.

The first factory diesel option came in 1979 with the 5.7L diesel, in 1/2 tons only. It was dropped in 1982 when the 6.2L was introduced in all truck lines.

Visit www.thedieselpage.com for more info. It's devoted strictly to GM diesels.

Casey

[Pyrotechnic]

Looks like your entire cab harness got changed out to a 78-83 harness. Reason I say is that would have to be the case to make that cluster work, but the wiper switch in the truck is 78-83 design and the wiring for them was totally different.