6.5 Diesel

upnover

upnover

Grumpy, decrepit Old Man
Moderator
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Morganton NC
Have someone wanting to do some trading on my pop up
He has a camper with a 6.5 diesel. He said it was originaly a 6.2 but replaced with a 6.5 crate engine. It has 11K on it now. Also has a 400 turbo rebuilt, with warranty.

So my question is, how will it pull?
I know a lot has to do with what gearing it has.
Dependability? Can it be tuned to run better?
MPG's?

I am considering it if it will do at least 40 up the big hills and at least 65-70 mph.
 
I'll catch hell for this, but i don't give a :poop:
Owned two 6.5's. Not a Dmax but not terrible.
Decent power and mpg's. They tend to eat injector pumps every 60k or so. (optical cam position sensor exactly)
Just my opinion.
 
YEah did some reading, the little black box thing under the intake? It said best to relocate it.

even so, would be hard pressed to put 60K on it, as it will only see less than 5K a year! LOL
From what I read:
Engine temp is most important, less than 210*, so cooling system needs to be very good
Upgrade exhaust to a 4"
gages very important

What kinda speeds and MPG were you getting Paul?
 
Chip, I'd find out what the gear ratio is... With a TH400 and no converter lock up your top speed will likely still not be great. While the 6.5 might rev enough you will be in the same boat where your outside its sweet spot and simply sucking fuel.

6.2 puts its in the mid/late 80s? Even a early/mid 90s camper with 454 with TBI/injection will put out similar HP and have OD transmission.

Stick to your original plan and get one with OD... You might not be able to hold full speed on the hills but overall I think you will be happier.
 
yager said:
Stick to your original plan and get one with OD... You might not be able to hold full speed on the hills but overall I think you will be happier.
Click to expand...

I would have to second this. Unless you go with a pusher or possibly a V10, the up hills are gonna be what they are, slow going when you tack on 6 or 7K behind an RV. But other than that you can cruise along all day at 70 mph without any issue and this is where you will spend most of your travel time. :beer:
 
I borrowed my ex brother in laws 6.5 1 ton diesel and it towed fine. I think you are like me, just want to get there, not worried about getting there at 90 mph.
 
"Just get there" is the old Chip... The new Chip clearly stated in another thread he has shed many tears and lost much sleep over never being able to keep up with his friend who could travel at normal highway speeds. (65-70).
 
Several years ago one of the mags did a two test between the 6.5 and 454. The verdict was the 454 was a better towing motor. It always stuck with me. The 6.5 got better mileage though.
 
what year is the truck and the 6.5 ?

given that the truck HAD a 6.2 tells me that it was never an electronically controlled injection pump which rules out having the deal with optical sensors and "the Black Box"

straight mechanical pumped 6.5s actually ran pretty well, geared correctly the truck should do well. not PSD, Cummins or Dmax performance, but decent.

if it is a mechanically pumped 6.5 turbo ('93ish) check that the vacuum pump is working ( if not the waste gate stays open and you get no boost )

check the harmonic balancer pulley condition ( that the rubber isn't cracked and split ) if this fails it can cause the crank to break. (very common failure )

fuel filters and lift pumps were an issue, nothing normal maintenance can't help.

if I were to get a 6.5turbo, '93 is the year I'd want, the later years were decent, but the electronically controlled injection pumps were very problematic, and NONE of them are under warranty anymore.
 
Blkvoodoo said:
what year is the truck and the 6.5 ?

given that the truck HAD a 6.2 tells me that it was never an electronically controlled injection pump which rules out having the deal with optical sensors and "the Black Box"

straight mechanical pumped 6.5s actually ran pretty well, geared correctly the truck should do well. not PSD, Cummins or Dmax performance, but decent.

if it is a mechanically pumped 6.5 turbo ('93ish) check that the vacuum pump is working ( if not the waste gate stays open and you get no boost )

check the harmonic balancer pulley condition ( that the rubber isn't cracked and split ) if this fails it can cause the crank to break. (very common failure )

fuel filters and lift pumps were an issue, nothing normal maintenance can't help.

if I were to get a 6.5turbo, '93 is the year I'd want, the later years were decent, but the electronically controlled injection pumps were very problematic, and NONE of them are under warranty anymore.
Click to expand...

The way I understand it, this 6.5 in in an RV. I am not sure of the length or year though.
 
MEchanical, but, not to be. The RV was or has been very leaky and much repair would have to be done,
 
My friends tahoe with a 5.7 would out tow my other friends 6.5....
It pulled better and got better MPGs doing it. I'd stay away from the 6.2 and 6.5s. We have a box truck at work with a
 
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