The original Cheby diesel was the "5.7". It was a converted OLDSMOBILE 350cid block. The distributor was removed and a rotory vacuum pump was installed in it's place. Heads and intake changed (OBVIOUISLY) to accomodate diesel set-up.

P.S. "THEY WERE JUNK!!!!" I changed my share of them back to 5.7gas engines early 80's. Well known for head gaskets, rods and crank failures.
They later came out with a 4.3liter diesel I think in '82.

http://www.hotrodders.com/t23026.html

Read the 4th,9th posts and then the 11th post on page two

 

http://www.collegeinternetsolutions....recummins.html
I found this site that talks about diesel conversions. There's pics of a 5.9CTD installed in an old international SCOUT.
http://community.webshots.com/album/44268533sCvIJm

 

I had a 94, and it was great until about 80,000 miles. Then I had trouble with pumps (7) to be exact. Then it was rear ends, and then the heads took a dip. So I tried a cummins. Liked it, but it too fell apart at 86,000. So I guess I got 6,000 more miles out of it. I dont think many trucks can handle my driving style. AHAHAHAHAHAHA

 

Let's see! My pump on my Cummins went out at 104,000 miles. Most people I know with the 6.5 get as good or better fuel economy. I've seen the 6.2 seriously abused by military personnel and still keep ticking. Don't get me wrong, I love my truck, but let's be honest here. This web site is filled with people looking for help, because they are having trouble with their Cummins. But I do think that the Cummins is the best engine out there. The problem with GM & diesels started with the 5.7 Conversion. Then while Ford and Dodge put a diesel out of a medium duty truck in a pickup. GM put in a light duty. It is cool that you could get it in Blazer or a Burb though. One of the web site's to look for actually has a link from this site I think. www.62-65-dieselpage.com It's a membership site and cost's to get into some areas. Also there's www.gm-diesel.com This one is free. These will probably be good source's for power mod's to 6.5's. It is alright to post links isn't it? Well that's my .03.

 

You just embraced the point that I was trying to make. The Chev diesels until the Duramax have a terrible reputation, deserved or not. Put a heavy camper or load behind them, the power is not there. I beg to differ on the mileage. They don't get it empty or especially loaded. That is compared to the Cummins which as you said is a different animal, a mid sized engine. I hear good reports from the Duramax so long as you can keep injectors in them, but Ford and Cummins on the commonrail seem to have the same problem.

 

Haul'n I beg to differ with you I had an 82 1/2 ton and 84 3/4ton 6.2 the 82 had 3.08 rearend would get 18mpg, the 84 had 4.10 and would get 22, best tank was 25mpg. the 84 pulled as well as a stock big block in that year.

Jed

 

I have a 95 GMC 6.5TD 1500 xcab 4x4 4L80E (as well as a dodge 04.5 Cummins 600) the GMC gets 22MPG day in day out... They can be economical to drive, but do not have the power of my 600.. (But it didn't cost $50,000 (CDN) taxes in.)
A good free website is www.thedieselplace.com They have 6.2/6.5 forum as well as dodge forums.. Dan

 

Try Bill Heath at heathdiesel.com, I used his chip and turbo-master boost controller and a Banks exhaust on my 95 6.5 and didn't have any problems while I owned it.

Longdude

 

Dad never got over 15 in his 98 empty. How in the world were yall getting 22mpg?

 

I'm with you Blue my 98 got 17 once or twice empty and that was tops. My 99 dodge has put out 19.7 on quite a few times. Dads 98 12v 4x4 get 20 every tank and as high as 22. My GMC never got that. I am getting 9.5 to 10 pulling 30000 plus lbs.

 

I don't know why the good mileage... 1500, big tires high gears? It runs about 1900RPM@ 62mph. It gets better mileage than my 4 runner 4 banger. I also use Howes meaner cleaner every tankful for lubricity. It guarantees 4.8% better mileage. The motor was recently completely rebuilt ($7700.00) and the tranny 4L80E ($2200.00) by the previous owner. Who knows why. Dan

 

I, too, was going to mention this but obviously I was beat to it. I have heard of guys putting 17 to 1 pistons in the 6.5 GM and either cranking up the turbo or getting a new one. I believe the boost is rated a 8psi, stock. But then you need to help out the weak areas of the motor to compensate for the added power.

Either way, tell him to buy a 12 valve motor and transplant it! That would be one bad butt Hummer! Oh yeah, add to the mix "some" fuel and twins. That should get that Hummer going. I love spending other peoples' money!

Pat

 

It seams to me the duramax is proving to be a more durable & powerful engine than the 6.5. It's no wonder to me why they chose not to use them in their light pick-ups
I wonder how much easier (and maybe a bit cheaper) to transplant a duramax into a hum V vrs. the 5.9 B.
I think a Hummer 1 with a duramax would be a big improvement --
db