Should I buy a Diesel? Or asking for trouble?

JonBoy

Active Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Hampstead NC
First off let me say I have no real need for one as I have nothing to pull and have never needed to haul anything over 3000lbs. Anyway reason I am asking is it seems that I could sell my 98 Chevy 5.0 5-speed 4x4 ex-cab, and get a 95-96 diesel for about $1000 more. Just seems like a huge upgrade for only a little more cash. However not that I know much of anything about my gas motor I know nothing about diesel.
 
What kind of diesel?
 
The first one is a 1/2 ton truck with a diesel in it? Never heard of such a thing, but then GM ain't the brightest bulb in the hallway. I think I'd stick with what you got. Those diesels don't seem to stack up against a CTD or a PS. I believe they are just a regular gas block (400 maybe?) with higher compression pistons and heads. Hence the low low price. Diesels as a rule are much more expensive to work on and rebuild. (Though you do it at a much later date than a gasser.) Not too sure about the fuel mileage vs a gasser on those either.
 
it's weird this came up because today while walking back from class i saw a 2 door Tahoe (yes, 1/2 ton) with a diesel. It looked just like any other 2 door Tahoe but had a rattling diesel under the hood. It was pretty cool.
 
yep. 2 door tahoes/yukons and 1500's were available with the 6.5. the vp at my old job had a 2 door yukon with ~350k miles.

the 6.5 isn't enough motor in stock form to give a half ton chassis any trouble. it wouldn't be worth it to trade your current truck for one though.
 
The first one is a 1/2 ton truck with a diesel in it? Never heard of such a thing

Lots of GMs came that way. My 1990 1/2-ton Burb has the 6.2L diesel.

Those diesels don't seem to stack up against a CTD or a PS.

That's very true.

I believe they are just a regular gas block (400 maybe?) with higher compression pistons and heads.

That is NOT right at all. The 6.2 and 6.5L GM diesels are Detroit Diesel engines. They are not based on a gas block at all - totally different other than bellhousing bolt pattern. Heavier than a big block Chevy. There *was* a 5.7L GM diesel that was based on the Oldsmobile 350 back in the late 70's and early 80's.

Not too sure about the fuel mileage vs a gasser on those either.

The 6.2/6.5 diesel gets mileage same as PS and CTD. But fuel-injected small block Chevys don't get terrible mileage if you're not towing heavy, so seriously think about whether the mileage difference is worth it.

Test drive the GM diesel - you might find that your small block feels just as powerful, depending on the truck/setup.

If you're looking for an "upgrade" over what you have already, I'd be looking at a CTD or PS.
 
Well, there ya go! Don't Know too much about diesels but a bit I guess.
 
First off let me say I have no real need for one as I have nothing to pull and have never needed to haul anything over 3000lbs. Anyway reason I am asking is it seems that I could sell my 98 Chevy 5.0 5-speed 4x4 ex-cab, and get a 95-96 diesel for about $1000 more. Just seems like a huge upgrade for only a little more cash. However not that I know much of anything about my gas motor I know nothing about diesel.

Based on what you have said, I'd say stick to what you got. I'd drive the 305 till gave out then drop a 350/nv4500 combo in it's place someday on down the road.

hmmmm, a 383 stroker would be nice too.....
:beer:
 
That truck in the picture is not a diesel unless some converted it. The front bumper should have holes in for the inter cooler in take.
 
That truck in the picture is not a diesel unless some converted it. The front bumper should have holes in for the inter cooler in take.

I think I see holes in the front bumper on both trucks?

I wasn't aware of that though - thanks for the tip - didn't know that was a 6.5L turbo thing.
 
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