6.5 L turbo diesel GM

[worthabit]

Are their any major problems with this engine? Any costly repairs or maintenance that i should be aware of.

Thanks

 

[Bain Simmental]

Pretty solid engine for the most part just not a big powerhouse as far as hp.

 

[SHAGGY]

I used to own one.  Like other poster said they are ok but compared to todays diesel they are a boy among men. (thumbsup)

 

[worthabit]

Thank you we are looking at one just for a farm use dump/ utility truck so power for pulling is not a major concern.

 

[Mark H]

For the 6.5 Turbo injector and lift pumps are big issues.  This is particularly for the "newer" electronically controlled injector pumps.  You can improve reliability by going to third party performance parts suppliers.  Go this web site for plenty of information: http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=1d2a370801476d9ef625945e0a622673&f=21

 

[steel]

2 big things on a 6.5L is the heads and the ds pump.  Heads crack between the values.  They have plastic push pins that hold the rocker arms down to the head that seem to break alot.  the ds pump has a pdm on the side of the pump that doesn't take heat well at all.  Remote kits that relocate them to the top side of the intake.  The injectors are pretty sold if u can still find marine 1s.  Heath diesel specialise in the 6.5.  I have worked on 100s of them.  I wouldn't ever drive 1 because of it.

 

[BadgerFan]

so what's your pick of the current diesels, steel? 

 

[steel]

New engines are almost 2 complicated really.  Duramax is really hard to bet honestly. The new ford 6.7 motor is really a powerful beast.  The cummins 6.7 motors are stout but dont impress me at all they dont have the rpm and the hard hitting power the should.  The older motors are still my pick.

1.  12v cummins  just in my opionion best motor ever built.
2.  7.3 power stroke just hard to bet power band.
3.  LLY duramax run smooth easy to program and easily to drive
3.  24v cummins torque for pulling as long as they are turning 2000 rpms.  vp pump wear out easily
5.  5.9 cr good motor.  junk injectors and light duty pistons
6.  6.0 ford fun to drive.  egr, head bolts, and turbo
7.  6.4 ford really pull well but not really made up my mind
8.  old 7.3  not a speed demon but run forever with care
9.  6.5  fuel economy is great.  fuel pumps and heads not good.

 

[jason]

I would steer clear, the 350 gas or the 454 would be better suited.  I had a 1997 and it was contact PITA.  PMD would go bad and leave you completely stranded.

If you have to get a diesel, 7.3 or 12v during the same years they made the 6.5.

 

[BadgerFan]

so the 12V cummins with a manual trans?

 

[Davis Shorthorns]

so the 12V cummins with a manual trans?

ANY day of the week over a 6.5

 

[Mark H]

The Cummins B series is the best Diesel engine in a pick up ever.  If you can get the G56 6 speed manual.  Kits exist where you can put the stouter 6 speed in place of the 5 speed.
If you have a good GM or Ford 1 ton  with a blowen engine you can put the a B series Cummins in  using a adopter kit.

 

[steel]

Yeah a 12v with nv4500 is the best motor tranny combo ever.  Those 5sp transmissions can take more abuse than any thing i ever seen.  They were put behind everything to even the 6.5, 350, and 454 from gm.  Change the bell housing and away u go.  My wife exploded one with a twin disk clutch and it was 800 to fix with hardened shaft and all gears.  she broke everything but the case.  I preffer a 5sp because a clutch is maybe 600 and down 2 days and a automatic is 2500 and a week or longer. 

 

[Mark H]

For more information on Cummins 4BT engine conversions, particularly the 3.9 L go to: http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/index.php.

 

[showsteerdlux]

I saw the 6.4 brought up, and I have one. Wouldn't even recommend getting one to my worst enemy.