Hello! I hope this is in the right place, im new here!
My buddy has a 84' K20 6.2L Diesel, and its in okay shape its got body rust and it dont run, it needs a starter. He's selling it though and I've been doing a lot of research because I love the look of this truck.
My question is, I asked my other friend and he said that the 6.2L were terrible motors and that those old chevys were bad diesels, they had lots of starter problems, blown head gaskets, they crack, they are gutless, etc, He said he would swap it out.
Swap the 6.2L to a 350/400 small block, or a big block chevy 454, and if I want to stay in the diesel world go for a Cummins.
Now my plans with the truck is to make it long term, Daily driver, and towing capable would be nice, be able to haul a side by side or of sorts.
I personally would like to keep the 6.2L diesel and just put the Banks turbo kit on, because turning a diesel truck into gas seems like a lot of work but I've havent dont much research on that.
I like the sound of a 454 Big block, But all in all I just need help of what would work here. Im also just a motivated back yard mechanic with no garage, so swapping seems a little easier said then done at least where I'm at.
Like I said im not looking for a Go fast engine or a crawler, but I want a modererate engine thats reliable and would work great long term and as a daily being able to tow, and I don't see how the 6.2L diesel does anything less of what I just said. I think the 6.2L diesel is good based on what research I've done
but I'd love to hear both sides of the story!


Anyway! What's yall thoughts on that! Thanks!

 

My first diesel was a 6.2L Suburban. I learned a lot. I liked it... except for the TH400 trans and 4.10 gearing. After it got a 4spd manual and 3.21 gears it was an exceptional daily driver.

Since then, I had a couple of 7.3 powerstrokes, and now Dodges with 12-valve Cummins.

I would stick with the 6.2L until its cummins time. If an NV4500 swap helps tide you over, it can be an intermediate step.