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1978 K5 350 to 6.2L Diesel turbo swap

J

Jadin666

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Im trying to find a good wiring diagram for my 1978 K5 Blazer with a 350 4 barrel. Because I am doing a 6.2L Diesel with Banks turbo swap and want to keep the existing gas harness and rewire it for the diesel. Is there any place I can find good wiring diagrams?
 
You might find one by googling ,or try Autozone's website,they had printouts available online in the past..

Actually you wont need to do much to get the diesel wired--use the gas engines oil pressure sensor wire,(you may have to keep the sending unit off the gas engine so it'll match your dash gauge)--the water temp sender wire and sensor (diesel one may work fine,maybe not,keep the original sensor)...the altenator uses the same wiring as gas,the injector pump needs a switched hot wire to open the fuel shutoff solenoid,you could use the coil hot wire for that--if you want to retain the OEM glow plug wiring it'll be a bit more work,it would probably be easier to use a manual push button and a ford solenoid,and AC 60G glow plugs instead..

You'll probably have a lot of wires "left over" after your done..the gas engine has a lot more sensors for the EFI and computer..
 
Man I would love to do a swap like this on my 77. Probably could get out of smog here in CA with that setup. Plus diesels are cool.

EFI in a 78????
 
Well its a 78 with a 4 barrel carb its not a tbi system so no computer but I appreciate the info about the wiring Diesel4me. And izzy1776 the whole build is a 6.2 diesel with banks turbo but thinking of up grading turbo to a m35 whistler turbo. Putting an SM465 man trans with an np205 transfer case and still contemplating keeping the np203 and doing a doubler. Im currently putting BFGoodrich All-Terrains 35x12.50r15's on it but will change to Interco Irok 36x13.50r15 them once I do the body lift. I have a 6 inch Superlift suspension lift.
 
Not much to do here. Just take the wire that feeds the HEI and make it longer to reach the IP. All the sensors are in the same place and use the same connectors. The extra wiring for the glow plugs is a stand alone harness on the diesels. I would just run it to a manual button on the dash.
 
I did the same thing to a 1979 K10 a few years ago. You might be able to pull up a thread or two on it by searching my posts.
 
Likewise, if you have any 6.2-specific questions, feel free to ask. There are several guys on here, like Kenny and Rene (tRustyK5), who are very knowledgeable on the 6.2 and its workings. And kinda-knowledgeable guys (like me) who have worked through some of the issues unique to 6.2 engines and may be able to answer some of your questions as you get into the build.

Welcome to CK5! Can't wait to see your build. The 6.2 is a fun engine to drive. :D
 
Well, i have a question:

Where, besides GM, can you get a high-quality 6.2 engine?

i would not rule out GM, but it's like $8000.
 
Though those "Optimizer" new blocks are supposedly better at resisting main bearing web cracks,I do not know if they use a cast crank like "regualar" 6.2's...if its not a forged crank,I'd suspect they may not hold up any better than any other 6.2...
I hate to say it but I don't think GM ever made a "high quality" 6.2..:blush:
They seem to either run good for a long time,or grenade at low miles..and sound like they are about to come apart every mile you drive them..it can get on your nerves!..
 
diesel4me said:
Though those "Optimizer" new blocks are supposedly better at resisting main bearing web cracks,I do not know if they use a cast crank like "regualar" 6.2's...if its not a forged crank,I'd suspect they may not hold up any better than any other 6.2...
I hate to say it but I don't think GM ever made a "high quality" 6.2..:blush:
They seem to either run good for a long time,or grenade at low miles..and sound like they are about to come apart every mile you drive them..it can get on your nerves!..
Click to expand...

The Optimizer is a 6.5 and to date there have been zero reported block cracks from the military which started replacing all the original 6.2/6.5's with them. They still suffer from the cooling issues of the original 6.5 though.
 
Talon762 said:
The Optimizer is a 6.5 and to date there have been zero reported block cracks from the military which started replacing all the original 6.2/6.5's with them. They still suffer from the cooling issues of the original 6.5 though.
Click to expand...
What cooling issues?
Mine was never warm enough.
And I am in California
 
The 6.2/6.5 have a cooling issue at the back of the heads, coolant tends to sit there longer than other parts of the head just by design. Some have modified the rear caps to allow flow from them up to the coolant crossover tube which seems to be working well. Upgraded fan and higher flowing water pump usually fix the cooling concerns along with getting rid of the shit factory turbos that just build heat and restrict flow.

The P400 is the top end 6.5 crate engine but expect to spend about 8k for a long block and not likely to find many used ones floating around. The Optimizer blocks can still crack in hard use applications but are much better than any of the original engines. AMG makes both, but the Humvee contract is for the Optimizer so that's what they focus on with production.
 
What i mean by "high quality," is rebuilt/re-manufactured to new, factory standards, or better.

The goodwrench 4.3 i got is high quality (remaned by mercury marine, i think?)

i would not rule out rebuilding a 6.2, but i think it will take too long as i have no experience with this engine.
 
Problem is many of the original GM 6.2/6.5's have cracks in the block at the main webs, more common in the turbo 6.5's but even the naturally aspirated 6.2's are prone to it as well. Different block generations vary for how prone they are to it up until the Optimizer and P400. Many of the more recent military take out's are Optimizers now so can get one of them for cheaper than rebuilding a 6.2/6.5. Or pick up a older running engine for less than $500 and run it til it goes.
 
vandelay industries said:
What i mean by "high quality," is rebuilt/re-manufactured to new, factory standards, or better.

The goodwrench 4.3 i got is high quality (remaned by mercury marine, i think?)

i would not rule out rebuilding a 6.2, but i think it will take too long as i have no experience with this engine.
Click to expand...
I never thought of asking you, do you want to just get a good used engine for cheap and run it with maybe a remanufactured ip?
I have a couple.
I might even be able to bring over next time I am in the neighborhood.
 
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