1983 Blazer 6.2L - Needs Rebuilding (advice needed!)

[TankerCadaver]

Hey all,

I picked up this '83 Blazer w/ a 6.2L about a year ago ($1200) and I've been slowly going through different systems, etc. getting everything up to speed. I've replaced the glow plugs, GP controller and relay, etc. I've cleaned up a bunch of wacky wiring the previous owner had in there for stereos/amps and stuff. I've replaced the batteries and did the brakes. I'm just getting ready to go through the front end (tie rod ends, ball joints, hubs, etc.). It's frame is good as is the tranny and axles. The body is fair with some rust here and there. The top is good and all the systems work fine. All and all a pretty good buy in my book at the time.

However, disaster struck this morning.

I was accelerating onto a highway and after I lifted the accelerator I could hear a distinct "clacking" sound that wasn't there before. The engine still has plenty of power but this sound (which keeps rhythm w/ engine speed) is definitely NOT just the diesel engine clacking sound. This is more akin to a small block that has a bad lifter/rocker, bad valve or a wrist pin that's about to go.

Logic tells me with the compression ratios these things have it won't be long before this engine goes in a bad way

Are my assumptions correct?

If you were my shoes would you:

Get a used motor and swap it out?

Get a rebuilt motor and swap it out?

Rebuild this motor?

Sell the whole pile and look for another "fixer"?

Not having a lot of experience with the 6.2L I'm not sure what I'm looking at as far as cost, labor, etc. I've swapped out engines and rebuilt small blocks but I don't know what to expect with a big/heavy block like this.

Thanks for any help/advice you can provide!

 

[tRustyK5]

Before panicking, start it up and one at a time loosen the fuel line at each injector until the noise goes away. loosen it up, listen for any change in sound, tighten and move on to the next one. You could just as easily have a bad injector...

If it is an internal problem I'd look for a decent used 6.2, they can be had for reasonable money and will likely get you many more years of use.

Rene

 

[TankerCadaver]

Before panicking, start it up and one at a time loosen the fuel line at each injector until the noise goes away. loosen it up, listen for any change in sound, tighten and move on to the next one. You could just as easily have a bad injector...

If it is an internal problem I'd look for a decent used 6.2, they can be had for reasonable money and will likely get you many more years of use.

Rene

The logic I'm reading here ^^^ is that by loosening each injector it will lose pressure and not shoot (temporarily). So, if it doesn't shoot AND the noise goes away then that confirms an injector that has failed. Correct?

Sounds like a plan, I'll give that a shot.

Thank you!

 

[imiceman44]

The logic I'm reading here ^^^ is that by loosening each injector it will lose pressure and not shoot (temporarily). So, if it doesn't shoot AND the noise goes away then that confirms an injector that has failed. Correct?

Sounds like a plan, I'll give that a shot.

Thank you!

Well it doesn't necessarily tel you the injector is bad but it will tell you this the cylinder that has the problem.
In my case it was a bad rod bearing, it wore out and by the time I got it (I bought it in that condition) there was no bearing left and it was starting to eat the rod and cranck, needless to say I ended up scrapping the motor.
If you end up having a problem with the engine, go for a used one, they are plentifull and cost a fraction of what it costs to build one.
By the way if it is something like my engine was, it will run for a long time before it will become a problem, the only reason I dumped it was that it would start and run but then after running for a few miles and you turn it off, it wouldn't start, had to wait a few hours for it to start again.

 

[TankerCadaver]

Thanks for all the great advice!

I ran this test and spoke to a mechanic buddy... it probably will drive fine as long as I don't overload it.

However, I had an opportunity to sell it this past weekend so it's gone.

Bittersweet... I'll miss it but now I can get what I really want - a Suburban with a diesel!!!

So, a new search begins...

 

[imiceman44]

Thanks for all the great advice!

I ran this test and spoke to a mechanic buddy... it probably will drive fine as long as I don't overload it.

However, I had an opportunity to sell it this past weekend so it's gone.

Bittersweet... I'll miss it but now I can get what I really want - a Suburban with a diesel!!!

So, a new search begins...

that's what I wanted and I found a non running turbo diesel sub and before I got it running I found another turbo diesel sub, but ended up selling that one because I needed money and now I am selling the project one too.
But now I have this