6.2 or 6.5 chevy diesel....are they worth it???

[americanmusc1e]

I like my truck as a daily driver. I don't tow with it and I don't need to race it. Right now I have a 383 and a 700r4 and I get around 10mpg when the 700r4 is not in the shop getting rebuilt (I've had 2 major rebuilds by 2 different transmission guys -that's $3000 in transmissions- and and its been in the shop constantly)

I'm considering a weekend toy to put the 383 in and I would like to put something in my truck that doesn't cost too much and gets decent mileage.

A 6.2 (or a 92-93 manual Injection pump 6.5) Chevy (detroit diesel) and a NV4500 manual transmission would be a pretty easy swap and I should get around 20mpg. I can also find running trucks on craigslist for less than $3000.

question is.......I have heard alot of bad things about these motors......what are the main problems and how bad are they???

[68gmsee]

I heard the same thing about the original GM diesels but the latest is that they worked out the original problems many years ago. It's been so long I can't even remember what the problems were.

The 20 mpg sounds somewhat high. It may be the case on the newer trucks which are made of lighter gauge sheet metal and are wind-tunnel engineered to be more aero dynamic. However, I suspect that on our trucks you would probably get less.

[Clyde65]

for what you describe, maybe an LS 5.3 or 6.0 is in order, I think 3K would be a realistic build amount, also you could go with your 700 so that would save you some too.

[raycow]

I think an LSx + an NV4500 if you don't mind shifting gears. This would give you the best possible fuel mileage (on gasoline) and minimize your long-term transmission costs.

Ray

[BIGCHEVYMAN]

I think 20 mpg is within reason. My truck gets 14.5 to 16 mpg and i don't even have overdrive yet. I just bought a nv4500 last week to put in when i get my new motor installed. My motor blew a headgasket and filled the oil pan full of anti-freeze and anti-freeze don't lubricate rod bearings very good.
The problem is that pepole expect them to run like a gasser or a new diesel and these engines were built for economy not power.

[Colt Cobra]

20 is within reason, for a 6.2 I'd look for either an 82-83 6.2(they had the better blocks, but all sorts of head issues) or a J-code 6.2(87-91) most of the head and glow plug issues were resolved by then, and they had a much more efficient pulley setup OR a surplus military 6.2, you can usually get those pretty cheap, and they usually dont have alot of time or miles on em, and they are more powerful and durable than a regular 6.2

my old company truck is a 93 6.5 heavy duty 3/4 ton and it has been abused( its on its 3rd 4L80, was used often to pull a 12,000 lbs front end loader until just a few years ago) but the motor still ticks right along, and when I was using it for a Daily Driver, I averaged 19MPG. was really good on the hwy(20+) as long as I kept it under 85.

If it were me and I were looking to swap in an older Gm diesel, I would look for a military Surplus 6.2 and I would also be keeping my eyes out for a used Banks Sidewinder kit(a banks Sidewinder equipped 6.2 actually makes more HP and TQ than a 92-93 6.5TD and would probably get as good fuel milage)
I have been told that Banks also still sells these kits new(NoS) but they cost an arm and a leg

[americanmusc1e]

I'm not really interested in a LSX because I don't want to add a bunch of electronics to my truck.....It's not that I'm scared of electronics or that I don't like LSX motors

I want to keep my truck old school.........I like the fact that with a manual transmission I can run with no electricity at all if i need to (pull start the truck to get it going)


crazy idea.............but what about a F0&D 7.3 or 6.9 IDI (made by International Harvester) and a ZF 5-speed manual.............the 7.3 will go to 300-400K miles with no major problems and they are almost cheaper than the 6.2 chevys......they are about the same HP but they are about 100# heavier

[americanmusc1e]

sorta changed my mind about the LSX......I should probably consider a carbed 5.3 with a NV4500........probably plenty cheap.......wonder what the mileage would be??


how much does a putting a carburetor on a LSX affect mileage???

I work at a machine shop and I see alot of engines....and I have to say.....LSX motors look impressive compared to a Gen I sbc.....and their head flow data speak

[andyh1956]

i have both & luv em! my '94 2500 is a 6.5t w/ nv 4500 & 3.42 gears. it will get 21 just riding. my '83 is 6.2 na w/ 700r4 & 2.73 axle & that truck leaks more fuel than it uses!
andy

[D13]

Go here;
http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=20 and check out all the threads.
Having gone this route a couple of years ago, if you don't already have and like a diesel stay far far away. For what I have had to put in parts and labor just to keep mine running I could have done a 5.3 swap. Parts are $$ and certain parts are getting rare. 6.2's almost all have block problems (main web cracks). And when you're done you have 305 power, have to buy 2 big batteries, fuel gelling cold, not all gas stations have diesel, it's actually more expensive by time you put the additives to run ULSD in an old truck, etc. 6.5's are better but you pay in fuel economy since most are turbo'd.

Having said that I drove my 87 in this morning with the 6.2 700R4 3.08's getting about 23mpg in mixed driving (1/3 highway, 1/3 city, 1/3 country). if I did it again I'd just buy a L6-250 truck, add overdrive, and get the same mileage with less hassle.

[andyh1956]

D13 is right of course, diesels are not cost effective for the AVERAGE truck owner. they dont look like it on the outside, but they are maintenance intensive. if i couldn't do all my work myself, have a barn full of spare engines & parts & get my pump & inj work done for cost then i would drive small block chevys, like every body else. you just have to love the noisy, smelly, rattling things to put up with them.
andy

[GmtGmt]

yes they are worth it
there must be a reason why people still do these swaps in all kind of things like Novas, camaros, ranger rovers, land rovers, Land cruisers

they get a bad rep for the head, glow plug problems they have because most are beat to death many of them where ran like they where gas trucks, but if they are still in use today they must have something good in them

i would never trade my 6.2 for a gasser but i would not mind have another truck with a 454

[Clyde65]

On the LS, all you have to add is a pump and connect 3-4 wires, everything else comes on the motor and harness. If you do a 5.3 with a maual 5 speed, then no changes need to be made on the speedo.

It was a no brainer for me, yes I have had several issues since I pulled my SBC, but all have been because of my stupidity or lack of knowledge. I LOVE driving my truck, it fits me somehow, the LS I installed ( 4.8/4l60e) is only for driveability, I dont care about going fast, I just want to go and not qworry about the 8MPG I was getting or the leaking oil/fuel issues I had before.

The only thing I would maybe change would be doing a 5.3 instead, no real reason, just because.

My 4.8 runs about 300HP and about the same in TQ, plenty for me.

[Old Yeller 1970]

My brother has an '85 (or is it '86?) truck he'd like to sell. It has the 6.2 in it with the Banks turbo added to it. The engine and turbo run great. So great they mangled 2nd gear in the 700R4. He's gone off to college and doesn't have the time or money to rebuild the tranny. I told him it would require additional upgrades (ie more expense) if he wanted the 700R4 to live behind the engine or swap in a manual. Either way he can't afford to do it. As long as you're planning on running an NV4500 I'd recommend a set up like this. If you want the one he has we're "only" 9 hours north of you. He's ready to deal.

[americanmusc1e]

I've been doing a lot of research and I pretty much decided against a diesel and I'm considering a 5.3 and a NV4500........I'll start a new thread on that and post up a link here