1982 K10 6.2 Diesel build

[93M6Formula]

So I figured I would go ahead and start a build thread for my 82. I'll try to keep the introduction short.

Basically i've known about this truck for years, an older lady that lived down the road from my grandpa daily drove it for at least 15 years, her husbands dad bought it brand new locally so it's been around here in rural Nebraska its whole life. She unfortunately passed away so he just parked it in 2014. Fast forward to 2017 my dad ended up buying it and did nothing with it and let it sit... I was wanting another diesel square since I had an 82 previously that I missed so I bought it off him and got right to work.

The truck is absolutely original and ran and drove fine but many things were neglected. Since it lived on a gravel road it's whole life it never got washed so of course the bed is absolutely shot, not a single good piece except for the tailgate for some reason. Typical rust everywhere else but the cab is solid and fixable, floors and inner rockers are rust free.

Plans are mostly to make it a nice driver and keep it basically period correct but with tasteful mods. I didn't take good pics of the first repairs I did but i'll try to document now as I go along.

This is how I got it from my dad. Original down to the topper it came with new. Tires were 20 years old and dry rotted to hell but held air. Interior is super solid for it's age.

[93M6Formula]

Once I picked it up, i started on some maintenance. The original radiator leaked out of every possible orifice so that needed to be done before I could do some test runs and see what else it needed. Replaced it with a Spectre plastic tank version, along with some new hoses and a thermostat.

Also needed to do some brake work as it kept leaking fluid somewhere and losing pedal pressure. Ended up being a bad master cylinder so I robbed one off my 93 C2500 parts truck for the time being which works great FYI.

Once I got that done I began addressing the hard starting issue. Threw a new set of glowplugs in it but it didn't really help much with the starting. Previous owner did put in a pushbutton for glowplugs since the factory 82-84 system was less than reliable, I did the same on my last 82.

Since that didn't really help i looked elsewhere and found that drivers side tank had been leaking for awhile and was rusty so possible air intrusion, passenger tank seemed okay though. Ended up determining most of the issue was the injection pump. After sitting the seals on the pump were leaking pretty bad which was introducing air in the system. So next plan of action was go through the fuel system.

[93M6Formula]

After replacing the radiator I retired the original topper, just not a big fan. (Don't mind the potato quality pics, cracked my phone at the time)







Original "red block" 6.2

[93M6Formula]

Forward to last fall, I brought it home from the farm so I could work on it more often and really start fixing it up. My goal really was to get the mechanical issues sorted out before I deal with the body.

First things first it needed new shoes. I can't do hubcaps so a nice freshly powder coated set of factory ralleys, new centercaps, beauty rings and new 32" Mudstars were in order. It will also be getting a 2" lift and I already have a new set of Tuff Country springs i'll hopefully be installing this weekend as these factory springs are absolutely shot...as in both rear springs have broken or missing leafs and the fronts are so sagged out. I also ripped off the old corroded running boards.



HVAC controls and cruise wasn't working so i knew right away the vacuum pump was dead (very common), fortunately I hoard 6.2/6.5 parts so I had a spare lol. Unfortunately the cruise still didn't work due to what i suspect is a bad cable since the speedometer doesn't work and the needle is also broken off.

[93M6Formula]

Working on getting my shop built so unfortunately I can only work on the beast in fair weather and can't do much body work for now.

Better look at the cancerous box...

[93M6Formula]

So I knew I was going to dive into the fuel system so I started rounding up the parts.

I pulled the injection pump and sent it to my local Stanadyne dealer/service shop for a rebuild. Updated with ULSD parts for long life with todays fuel.



Now for 1982 6.2 diesels, they have one year only coarse threaded injectors which are getting a little harder to come by these days. Luckily my local shop can still get parts to rebuild them and even had a set on hand so I snatched them up. Sounded like he was happy to get them off the shelf lol.

[93M6Formula]

I didn't take a ton of pics but I knew it would be an oily nasty mess under that intake and of course, I found a gigantic mouse nest and some field corn lol. This is after doing some wiping down and vacuuming.



much better.



Timing cover looks better not soaked in oil...


Fresh Cloyes timing set. I wanted to replace it before I did the IP because I knew it was going to be sloppy, and good thing... because it had over an inch of play...

[93M6Formula]

New IP in and timing cover.



Skipped taking a few pics but this is where I ended up. Along the way I deleted the EGR and used one of my J code intakes I had laying around. I also swapped to the 88+ 6.2/6.5 CDR system so I painted up one of my spare valve covers. I deleted the stock mechanical lift pump as well and installed an 88+ 6.2/6.5 inline lift pump. Makes everything so much easier, especially filter changes.

Eventually when I start getting into more restoration of the truck I will rebuild the engine and everything will be clean but this will do for now.

[93M6Formula]

So that's where i'm at for now, Got it running off of a jerry can the other day and it starts and runs fantastic. Next step will be new fuel tanks and replacing the remaining rubber lines from the tanks. I have brand new sending units ready to drop in as well.

[93M6Formula]

Thought this was cool. Original date coded injector return lines still place and good shape.



Also here's the SPID for the truck. April 1982 build date.



Door sticker



Radiator support label

[93M6Formula]

Found a guy who hoards GM trucks near me and just happens to have an identical truck to mine but 2WD. It's pretty solid and has a MUCH better box on it so i'm going to try and snag that one of these days. Anything to help make it less ugly.

Also going to try and get the box pulled off this weekend and tackle the new fuel tanks, sending units, fuel lines, and also get my new lift springs in. Having the box off will make it soo much easier.

[LT7A]

This is really cool! I've always been intrigued by the 6.2 L diesels. With the updates you're making to the motor and the probable 3.08 rear gear, and the 700 R4, you should have a really nice drivable package. Good economy and enough pep to enjoy it.

[82Diesel]

Nice truck & Buy. You should know that the 1982 engine was *only* 1982 and will only interchange with certain parts until 1984.

Otherwise nice Buy the 1982 Is considered the rarest year bcuz of it... I am Factory Restoring my 1982 K10 Diesel as well. 3 yrs looking for correct parts on the eng alone.

If you want to get rid of that 700r4 diesel transmission I would be interested in buying it since it's the same YR as mine and Spline (82-83? 27 Spline) 84?+ It was 30-32 I believe.

Goodluck.

[93M6Formula]

Originally Posted by LT7A

This is really cool! I've always been intrigued by the 6.2 L diesels. With the updates you're making to the motor and the probable 3.08 rear gear, and the 700 R4, you should have a really nice drivable package. Good economy and enough pep to enjoy it.

Thank you! I've been messing with these personally for 15+ years or so and the 6.5s and i've always loved them. And yes it's 3.08 gears. I will be changing to 3.73s eventually since I put the 32's on, I think that will be a good match and still knock down some good MPGs.

[93M6Formula]

Originally Posted by 82Diesel

Nice truck & Buy. You should know that the 1982 engine was *only* 1982 and will only interchange with certain parts until 1984.

Otherwise nice Buy the 1982 Is considered the rarest year bcuz of it... I am Factory Restoring my 1982 K10 Diesel as well. 3 yrs looking for correct parts on the eng alone.

If you want to get rid of that 700r4 diesel transmission I would be interested in buying it since it's the same YR as mine and Spline (82-83? 27 Spline) 84?+ It was 30-32 I believe.

Goodluck.

Thanks! I hardly see anyone actually restoring the diesels and leaving them alone for the most part. I enjoy them the way they are it's nice to be different once in awhile, I've owned quite a few of these and loved every one of them so I was excited to get back in one again.

I was thinking of doing an NV3500 swap down the road but for now the 700R4 works flawlessly.

[82Diesel]

Originally Posted by 93M6Formula

Thanks! I hardly see anyone actually restoring the diesels and leaving them alone for the most part. I enjoy them the way they are it's nice to be different once in awhile, I've owned quite a few of these and loved every one of them so I was excited to get back in one again.

I was thinking of doing an NV3500 swap down the road but for now the 700R4 works flawlessly.

Rite. People just don't care for them & ofc "Boat anchors" well let me tell you so is an SBC/BBC they are all made out of some sort of Metals. The only difference is Power/Tq & Weights, On the NV3500 topic. The only real hard to find part you'll have getting is the petals. A lot of them these days are reaching $500 - 800 online. Unless you come across some in your local yards.

I would love to get my hands on a Crew cab with a 6.2L. My dream.
Keep us updated & let me know if you ever need some parts.

[93M6Formula]

Originally Posted by 82Diesel

Rite. People just don't care for them & ofc "Boat anchors" well let me tell you so is an SBC/BBC they are all made out of some sort of Metals. The only difference is Power/Tq & Weights, On the NV3500 topic. The only real hard to find part you'll have getting is the petals. A lot of them these days are reaching $500 - 800 online. Unless you come across some in your local yards.

I would love to get my hands on a Crew cab with a 6.2L. My dream.
Keep us updated & let me know if you ever need some parts.

I may have a line on some hydraulic pedals for cheap I just need to look them over and confirm they are hydraulic, and you are right, people are asking crazy prices for them.

But yeah i'll let you know if I ever need anything, I have my own stash of 6.2/6.5 parts I need to burn though first

[straight6chevyguy]

Cool build.
Keep up the good work!

[93M6Formula]

Originally Posted by straight6chevyguy

Cool build.
Keep up the good work!

Thanks! Hopefully I can turn the old girl into something nice.

[93M6Formula]

Not much to update, I got antsy and cleaned out the one good tank it has and got fresh fuel in it so I could drive it, I'm still putting new tanks and sending units in here soon. I took it for a spin to get a few miles on it since it really hasn't moved much for awhile and especially since I did all this work.

Runs and shifts great but of course as soon as I pulled in the driveway a rear brake like blew out... not a big deal though, easy cheap fix and at least it happened now. Just need to work out a few kinks, get my lift springs in and do some body work.

Took a couple pics after getting some fuel in it last night. She's ugly but hopefully that will change soon.

[93M6Formula]

So i'm still deciding if I want to keep the original color or not, it's kind of growing on me. But at least for the meantime until I can afford to paint the whole thing, I found my exact truck but 2WD for parts from a guy I know. Has a newer crate 6.2 in it and is mostly rust free. The box is in pretty good shape and since it's my color, i'm going to swap it to my truck so this thing looks a little more presentable lol.

[Corts60]

Wow! Nice score on an identical parts truck. That's awesome. Great work so far!

[82Diesel]

Very nice score. I wish I could come across more Untouched Red blocks I need them mostly for spare parts, The only other one i have is in my 82 C20 I'm parting out and don't want to spare the eng for parts bcuz it is complete...

On the other hand you mentioned in another post you "Hoard" 6.2 parts. What do you have for 82-84?

[93M6Formula]

Originally Posted by Corts60

Wow! Nice score on an identical parts truck. That's awesome. Great work so far!

Thanks! Going to pick it up this weekend, can't wait to get the parts swapped over.

[93M6Formula]

Originally Posted by 82Diesel

Very nice score. I wish I could come across more Untouched Red blocks I need them mostly for spare parts, The only other one i have is in my 82 C20 I'm parting out and don't want to spare the eng for parts bcuz it is complete...

On the other hand you mentioned in another post you "Hoard" 6.2 parts. What do you have for 82-84?

For those years I have a couple 82 heads, a bunch of cast iron rocker setups, thermostat housings, brackets, C code intakes, GP controllers, fans and shrouds and things like that. I have more 6.5 stuff than anything. But I do have a brand new set of GM oil cooler lines for a 6.2 but I gotta keep those around.