engine swap need your info

[justgmtrucks]

hey guys out there i need to pick your brain for some info.

I have a 1982 1ton 4x4 longbed crewcab,with a 454 big block with 400 tranny that i use for offroading and towing my toys around. her we go, my question is that my engine is about to go out, the truck was originially a diesel and i was thinking to make a diesel again, but i never had a diesel,
which is better a gas or diesel. if i rebuilt the engine im looking around $5000
just for engine the way i wanted,if i go diesel i was looking at a 6.5 turbo
or the other day i found a 6.2l diesel with a banks turbo out of a wreck millitary blazer with 40,000 miles for $1500.00. which way should i go and how hard is it make it a diesel.

thanks

[lindstromjd]

It's an extremely easy swap to make the truck a diesel again. 1500 for a 6.2 with a banks set up is a nice deal. The banks system itself costs 1200.

If you do go with a 6.2 (I just did the same swap, took out my 350 and put the diesel in) it's super simple. The engine is based on a GM big block, and uses the same engine mounts and bell housing. The only wire you have to hook up for the engine to run is the IP fuel shut off relay. I used my power-to-coil wire from the HEI distributor in my truck, so it works perfectly.

You'll have to get a diesel torque converter for the TH400 though. They're different than gas ones, with lower stalls and a different bolt pattern for the flywheel.

You'll have less power than you're used to with your big block, though. The 6.2 has the same basic power curve as a stock 350, but with more than twice the fuel mileage. And you can always modify them to run a turbo set up; you could even run a small turbo (8psi or less) with no mods to the internals on the engine at all. That would get you about another 60 hp and 80 ft lbs of torque. (Don't quote me on the numbers though, but I think they're close to what I read about a small turbo doing).

[OlMech]

I worked for GM for several years, and did quite a few head gaskets on 6.2's that had been turbocharged. Went to school on the 6.5's when they came out, and they pretty much took care of the head gasket problems the 6.2's had. Make sure the 6.2 runs well and look at the banks set up to see how well it was installed. Meaning, make sure it was done right, not cobbled in. Check the pump, and look to see if it has been weaping fuel. Both engines will do well for you to haul and tow with, but as lindstrom said, you will notice a change in the power curve. The diesels do not rev like the big block, but will produce good torque for towing.

[justgmtrucks]

thanks or the info guys i'm going to take a really good at the engine

[Plunkett]

This is some interesting information. It kind of makes me want to put a diesel in my 86 chevy silverado. What kind of weight differences are there between a sbc and a diesel engine?

[lindstromjd]

I think the 6.2 weighs in around 800 lbs or so; only slightly more than a SBC. When I swapped mine into my 75 half ton, you can't tell at all with the suspension. It handles it just fine.

[Plunkett]

Can you run the 700r-4 transmission with the 6.2 motor?

[lindstromjd]

Yes, but you have to get a special torque converter for it. The 3 speed automatics (TH350 and TH400) are a different input shaft than a 700r4. And the torque converters for diesels are different than for gas engines. But otherwise, yes, you can run one. They bolt right up.

[Plunkett]

Originally Posted by lindstromjd

Yes, but you have to get a special torque converter for it. The 3 speed automatics (TH350 and TH400) are a different input shaft than a 700r4. And the torque converters for diesels are different than for gas engines. But otherwise, yes, you can run one. They bolt right up.

Did you do a write up on yours? Also, is your engine running a turbo? Say, I was going to run a diesel motor n my truck,. What years should I look for that would be the best for a swap and what kind of price range should I expect to do this swap?

[lindstromjd]

Originally Posted by Plunkett

Did you do a write up on yours? Also, is your engine running a turbo? Say, I was going to run a diesel motor n my truck,. What years should I look for that would be the best for a swap and what kind of price range should I expect to do this swap?

No, I haven't done a write up yet. I put the engine in before I found this site. I'm free to answer any questions you have about it though. I don't have a turbo on mine (yet) but I will most likely fab up something in the near future for it. I like doing custom work instead of buying already-built-kits.

You can get anything from an 83 to a 93 6.2, but the best ones to look for are the late models with the serpentine belt set up. One of the main things you're going to have to figure out is if you want to keep the automatic glow plug relay on the late models, or switch to a solenoid style on the early models. I swapped to a solenoid style because it was easier than tracing all the wires and sensors and making it all work right. And definitely get rid of the box style fuel filter. Those things are junk. Grab a universal spin on style and put a see-through inline one as a secondary so you can see your fuel flow. Then the fuel line that comes out of the IP for left-over fuel can go to a return line back to the tank. I'll have to take pictures of mine so it all makes more sense.

Price range depends on where you are and if they're available. I paid 600 for mine, and that included everything up to the hydo-boost power brakes. I'm looking at getting another one out of a junkyard for about 300 though.