Well just to update everyone. I went and saw the truck. A four hour drive and the Chevy would not even start. Sounded like a glowplug problem by the way it turned over but just wouldn't fire. I had to boost it with the trusty Dodge when the batteries died. THe guy shot some ether into it to start it which didn't bother me becuase at that point the decision was made. My truck is rough riding, noisy (4 inch pipe) and super reliable. I don't know which of the above is most appealing but I told him how disappointed I was with such a long drive and he couldn't even have made sure it started at minus 5 celcius.
He then proceeded to tell me that the glowplugs must not be giving off enough spark!
I may not be a mechanic or know much about the internals of my truck but holy jumpin' this guy owns his own dealership and has for a number of years. Goes to show ya what used car guys know about the vehicles they are selling.
Well now I feel guilty about thinking about getting rid of the old girl so I need to buy her a nice christmas present, or maybe I'll just tickle her sweet spot, the pump!
Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

[quote author=tgleason link=board=9;threadid=23127;start=15#msg221128 date=1071025572]
Well just to update everyone. I went and saw the truck. A four hour drive and the Chevy would not even start. Sounded like a glowplug problem by the way it turned over but just wouldn't fire. I had to boost it with the trusty Dodge when the batteries died. THe guy shot some ether into it to start it which didn't bother me becuase at that point the decision was made. My truck is rough riding, noisy (4 inch pipe) and super reliable. I don't know which of the above is most appealing but I told him how disappointed I was with such a long drive and he couldn't even have made sure it started at minus 5 celcius.
He then proceeded to tell me that the glowplugs must not be giving off enough spark!
I may not be a mechanic or know much about the internals of my truck but holy jumpin' this guy owns his own dealership and has for a number of years. Goes to show ya what used car guys know about the vehicles they are selling.
Well now I feel guilty about thinking about getting rid of the old girl so I need to buy her a nice christmas present, or maybe I'll just tickle her sweet spot, the pump!
Thanks for all the advice guys.
[/quote]

Yeah, these old CTD's are sorta like "Old Yeller". May not be the fanciest and have a few dings but is always ready and willing to go everytime they hear th' keys jingle in your hand. ;D

 

Not enough spark, huh? Shoulda told him to jump the resister to the coil ;D.

Too bad he wasted your time.

 

Thats to bad this deal didn't work out but I think you got the best end of the deal, your CTD. Hey, did the guy tell you to pull the choke too .

Paws

 

Good thing it didn't start. A good friend of mine bought a brand new 6.5 in 95, I was with him the first time it left him straded (23,000 mi), that was the first of 7 times he had to walk. Another buddy bought one and took it to Colorado, plugged in it would start some days and not others, he had some good neigbors that would take him to the school where he taught on the mornings his 6.5 would not start. You need to be one hell of a good mechanic and have lots of spare parts and tools with you to keep a 6.5 going. I would not trust one with my family on board. Some like having of fix thier junk on a daily basis, I don't have time, so I don't drive junk. Also, I had more faith in my 91 D250 than have had in any vehicle since.

 

I'm going to stick with the cummins. I'll drive mine and just watch for a 2nd gen used with the quad cab and standard tranny. If the right deal comes along I'll go for it but until then I'll enjoy driving what I have.

 

Had a driver deliver a shipment on Friday, he saw my dually and that's all he wanted to talk about. He told me that his 1970 something truck that did not even have front brakes had a Cummins in it, he said he had driven this same truck almost every day and that it had almost 3 million miles on it, and that the original engine lasted to over 2 million, I find it hard to beleive, but he swears to it, he said with good maintenance and takeing care of, the motors will run forever. So I guess I'll be driving around on just 2 seats and a frame, because the body will have long ago rusted away.

KEEP THE CUMMINS

 

I didnt read all the posts, but I do know one thing. Stay away from 94 Chevy's. I had one and the pump is the weakest link. You cant keep one in a 94. Keep the Dodge and find a 92 or 96 Chevy those were good years for the 6.5!