MACK5500
Newbie
I need some help figuring out all that I need to swap a 6.2 diesel into my 1978 c20 with sbc 350 and sm465 I know I'm going to need a clutch and flywheel but what else do I need?
CK5
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6.2 gm diesel swaped 78 c20
- Thread starter MACK5500
- Start date
The 6.2 was designed to fit where a big block or small block gas engine could fit. Motor mounts are the same. Bell housing is the same.
The biggest problem is going to be the accessories and their brackets, exhaust manifolds and a fuel return line.
Wiring is easy. The alternator and gauges are the same. The pink wire to the HEI needs to be split. 1 fork to the injection pump. The other to the cold idle sensor on the rear outside of the passenger side head. A green wire will go from that sensor on a stock 6.2 to the injection pump cold advance and the fast idle solenoid.
Glow plugs are kind of easy too. Here is a video about wiring up a GM controller:
I would suggest finding a donor truck if you don’t already have an engine For all the little stuff I just mentioned.
The biggest problem is going to be the accessories and their brackets, exhaust manifolds and a fuel return line.
Wiring is easy. The alternator and gauges are the same. The pink wire to the HEI needs to be split. 1 fork to the injection pump. The other to the cold idle sensor on the rear outside of the passenger side head. A green wire will go from that sensor on a stock 6.2 to the injection pump cold advance and the fast idle solenoid.
Glow plugs are kind of easy too. Here is a video about wiring up a GM controller:
I would suggest finding a donor truck if you don’t already have an engine For all the little stuff I just mentioned.
MACK5500
Newbie
Thanks for the info
I did this swap on a similar 1979 K10.
Stock 6.2L manifolds will bolt up to the same exhaust as your stock 350 manifolds.
You need all of the accessory brackets for the diesel. None of the brackets from the 350 will work.
All of the wiring for the 350 motor is a direct fit on the 6.2L except for the ignition wire. But you can extend the HEI ignition wire up to the IP and make it work to turn the fuel solenoid on.
You will need to add glow plug wiring, either with a factory controller or manual push button. High idle control wiring is optional but makes cold starts easier.
For the radiator, the wider 6.2L diesel radiator does not fit the 73-80 core support but you can take the tanks from the diesel rad and have them installed on the 73-80 454 radiator core for the oil cooler and correct hose size or run a stock 454 radiator with external oil cooler.
Stock 6.2L manifolds will bolt up to the same exhaust as your stock 350 manifolds.
You need all of the accessory brackets for the diesel. None of the brackets from the 350 will work.
All of the wiring for the 350 motor is a direct fit on the 6.2L except for the ignition wire. But you can extend the HEI ignition wire up to the IP and make it work to turn the fuel solenoid on.
You will need to add glow plug wiring, either with a factory controller or manual push button. High idle control wiring is optional but makes cold starts easier.
For the radiator, the wider 6.2L diesel radiator does not fit the 73-80 core support but you can take the tanks from the diesel rad and have them installed on the 73-80 454 radiator core for the oil cooler and correct hose size or run a stock 454 radiator with external oil cooler.
