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1986 need new engine, whats best?

So.. evaluating my options

1. Jegs Goodwrench 350 290HP $2300 (dealer $3100 stock)
a. Still leaning this way
2. New engine plus TBI swap
a. This would cost more…I don’t mind the carb
3. Diesel engine
a. Starting to lean this way, but I know nothing about diesel.
b. What are the advantages?
All I know about diesel, my friend’s dad had a diesel Mercedes and it broke down all the time and leaked, smoked and made the back of the car black….
Thank you for the support and offers! This is a valuable tool and community!
Thank you.
 
ptrparker said:
So.. evaluating my options

1. Jegs Goodwrench 350 290HP $2300 (dealer $3100 stock)
a. Still leaning this way
2. New engine plus TBI swap
a. This would cost more…I don’t mind the carb
3. Diesel engine
a. Starting to lean this way, but I know nothing about diesel.
b. What are the advantages?
All I know about diesel, my friend’s dad had a diesel Mercedes and it broke down all the time and leaked, smoked and made the back of the car black….
Thank you for the support and offers! This is a valuable tool and community!
Thank you.
Click to expand...

The 6.2 Diesel runs off heat and compression. Instead of spark plugs, they have glow plugs that preheat the motor before starting. It's claimed that you replace the glow plugs every 2 years or so, pending on usage.

They don't have a lot of HP. But they have more torque. It is claimed that the 3.08 gears give you about 16-18 City mpg and 20-26 or so hwy mpg pending on what 3.08 gears ya got on particular vehicles. When I had my 1/2 ton 3.08 geared axles on my blazer with a 6.2 diesel with 31" M/Ts I got excellent MPG and still had a lot of get up an go. 75mph was easy at a low rpm.

Don't know of that helps ya:dunno:

If you wanna see pics of my original 6.2 diesel motor with over 200,000 miles in action... First page on my Blazer build link v
 
As good as diesel sounds, it looks like a lot more work and dedication..
I’m seeing that I need to update brakes, etc. Possibly reinforce chassis, etc.
For this truck I think the 350 will be the best option. I’m not towing anything.
I have always been interested in the military/government model or a burban, this would be my diesel truck…
 
ptrparker said:
As good as diesel sounds, it looks like a lot more work and dedication..
I’m seeing that I need to update brakes, etc. Possibly reinforce chassis, etc.
For this truck I think the 350 will be the best option. I’m not towing anything.
I have always been interested in the military/government model or a burban, this would be my diesel truck…
Click to expand...

I've never done a 6.2 swap. But I hear the swap is popular... Either for more power from a 6.2 to a 350 or more fuel economy from a 350 to 6.2.

Boyce said the reason why they raised their price from $900 to $1200 recently is because there's a higher demand since they get better MPG.
 
ptrparker said:
So.. evaluating my options

1. Jegs Goodwrench 350 290HP $2300 (dealer $3100 stock)
a. Still leaning this way
2. New engine plus TBI swap
a. This would cost more…I don’t mind the carb
3. Diesel engine
a. Starting to lean this way, but I know nothing about diesel.
b. What are the advantages?
All I know about diesel, my friend’s dad had a diesel Mercedes and it broke down all the time and leaked, smoked and made the back of the car black….
Thank you for the support and offers! This is a valuable tool and community!
Thank you.
Click to expand...
When buying my Burb, my main reason for getting a diesel was to not have to mess around with our (Cali's) silly smog laws, and the mpg's.

The box van was a corporate decision (Mom outranks me.......:doah:) I was wanting to get something newer, diesel, with A/C, that gets at least double digit fuel mileage.
 
Gunnar1971 said:
When buying my Burb, my main reason for getting a diesel was to not have to mess around with our (Cali's) silly smog laws, and the mpg's.

The box van was a corporate decision (Mom outranks me.......:doah:) I was wanting to get something newer, diesel, with A/C, that gets at least double digit fuel mileage.
Click to expand...

How could I have forgot about the no emissions nationwide thingy??? Lol!!!
 
ptrparker said:
So.. evaluating my options

1. Jegs Goodwrench 350 290HP $2300 (dealer $3100 stock)
a. Still leaning this way
2. New engine plus TBI swap
a. This would cost more…I don’t mind the carb
3. Diesel engine
a. Starting to lean this way, but I know nothing about diesel.
b. What are the advantages?
All I know about diesel, my friend’s dad had a diesel Mercedes and it broke down all the time and leaked, smoked and made the back of the car black….
Thank you for the support and offers! This is a valuable tool and community!
Thank you.
Click to expand...


Was bouncing around and found this, not sure of the "home" shipping charge, but this is to the local UPS shipping center.

http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/results.cfm?singlepart=1&partnumber=12499529

12499529 - ENG-350 engine with 290 HP 500LBS

$2,121.60
Click to expand...
 
a>



image_zps4ad9dab9.jpg




A pic of my truck....
 
Beware the 290hp motor. I'm selling mine to get rid of it. I don't expect to get enough from it to properly pay for a new engine.

It sucks. Mileage dropped to half. Torque is nonexistent. Exhaust smells strongly of gas. A buddy put one in a '79 Firebird and can't even spin the tires.

BTW, my 290hp motor is in an '86 K5. Get the 260hp base motor.

You've been warned... :deal:
 
A crate engine for sure has its upsides for the extra cash. I mean the warranty on some of em is nice. When my 454 buys the farm I for sure will go with a crate motor just cause the warranty.
 
Now I'm leaning towards a rebuild.
I assumed that more horse power
meant a stronger engine with more power.
If diesel didn't require a bunch of mods I'd
Go that route.
So to ensure I have a good every day driver
It's pointing to a rebuild.
Just out of curiosity how is a 260hp stronger than a 290?
Does anyone have a list or link of what is required for a diesel swap?
I'm not going to tow anything but I do drive to Vegas
And San Diego often...sometimes N CA.
I started think that this was a simple question...
Happy New Year!
 
The 260hp motor will have a milder cam, better suited to a truck used as a daily-driver. Less valve overlap and better vacuum, too.

Higher "horsepower" usually happens at higher RPMs, often at the expense of low-end torque, especially in a naturally-aspirated engine. Find the spec sheet on that motor (I used to have it). The peak horsepower occurs past 5000rpm. How often will you be revving the engine that hard??? Probably not ever.
 
I want... Need a new motor or a rebuild for my 79 K1500... Smokes like hell! But I'm broke so I'm shopping, looking at different ideas as well. I stopped in my local Chevrolet dealer the other day. The guy got on the phone asked me the year of the the truck and then quoted me $1,250 for a replacement motor using my carb intake and accessories. He pointed to one on the floor in a crate and said that's what you will get.. I don't know what HP. I'm guessing 260. I have always been into beefing something up when it breaks.... I would like a nice cam and so forth. So I'm leaning towards rebuilding what i have.... But $1,250 seems like a good deal...I don't know. Good luck and keep us informed in what way you go.
 
They run good. Maybe not the hottest thing on the block but they run forever.
 
I've pretty set on a rebuild at this point.
The shop will instal better valve guide seals and I'm going to upgrade the cam to a high torque cam for more low end power..
Next step is finding time to pull the motor.
Since the motor is out I'm going to replace everything , starter, etc.
having a hard time finding headers CA legal for a good price.
 
OP, if it were mine..... I'd r/r the valve seals and drive it til something else goes. This will buy you time to really figure out what you want. You can then take your time and piece together your project, be it a diesel swap, a BBC, or just freshening up what ya got.
 
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