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6.2l Deisel swap for 350?

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WolfOffroad

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I Have a 1986 CUCV M1009 6.2l Deisel i'm thinking about changing it out for a 350 small block. Does anyone have any information on the swap and if i should do it in the first place. All info and ideas welcome. Also i am not a mechanic so not sure where to start. My blazer is going to be used mostly for mountain trail riding at slower speeds.
 
I will be the first but most likely not the last member on this board to say that I love my 6.2L. Mine blew a head gasket and will be revamped with turbo and some other parts. I like mine on the hwy and trail. Great mileage with decent power. With the turbo it should pull really nice.

I would put a turbo on it and call it good. :D
 
ya the 6.2 would love low speed trail rides. Are you thinking a carbed 350? I too love my 6.2
 
i thought you wanted to put a 6.2 in insted of your 350, not the other way around. well im still interested. scribed
 
keep the 6.2, many would argue a 350 wouldnt be a much of an increase of power if at all, if you go carb, inclines will be a problem and such. I had a gas k5 i got rid of for my m1008 and i wouldnt look back. Love deisel
 
I was thinking about a carbed 350. This is the first Diesel i have ever owned. I have drove lots in the Army and out but never owned one. I'm wanting to build this as an all-around trail rig that is still street legal. Planning lift, tires, and snorkel.
 
Keep the diesel then. I actually want to swap my 350 for a 6.2. We can swap if you like haha
 
The Problem is i dropped into a mud hole and i dident make it out for 3 1/2 hours. I think the engine sucked in some water. I was about 30 miles out of town. It had no power and was smoking pretty bad. It started knocking bad so i checked the oil. it was a little low. I looked under and diden't see anything. So i tried to drive it the rest of the way home. I dident make it, the engine started knocking realy bad. The oil light came on then the engine died. I looked under and there is oil all over the trany and front drive line. I got towed the rest of the way home. I have got the engine started since then but still knocking bad.

Not sure if i should fix or replace???????
 
well in that case, if the motors shot and you need a new one, its your choice. I would say a turbo 6.2 or 6.5. You got the low end grunt, gas mileage, injected so inclines dont hurt it, and they last forever.
 
I thought about the 350 option with mine, i talked to a tranny shop and i was told that the th400 trans would be perfect just the way it is....just need a micro switch for the trans to down shift . If you buy a tbi 350 just buy a painless stand alone harness for the motor . also the rad hoses you can get from the company spectre and they are flexable and would work perfect for the diesel radiator, heater hoses will be easy too, a set of motor mounts are cheap same as a small block starter, the fuel tank and pump would be up to you what to do and if you use headers or manifolds...its seems like an easy swap......i thought a used tbi around 500.00 complete, the harness was like 375 when i last checked, maybe 1000.00 or less and its all done...i maybe forgetting something..
 
DONT DO IT!!!!!!!

youll regret it. your gas mileage will plummet, youll have to do alot more work than you think (dosnt it always work out that way), and it wont be nearly as bulletproof on the trail.

Id say get yourself a military surplus 6.2L, swap it in, they should be cheaper than dirt. Or go to a pick your part junkyard, and get a 6.5L turbo from a civilian setup. I personally prefer the 6.2L because its all mechanical, but there is a siginifcant power boost with the 6.5L turbo. My truck is stock and i havent been able to get it stuck or kill it, although im not a very serious wheeler to be fair.

My strong strong advice, having delt with many an engine, is to keep it diesel, its just a much better fit for these trucks IMHO.

For peace of mind, id say put some time into water proofing for future expeditions. figure out a way to rig a snorkel, raise the breathers for the differentials and tranny, or just run them to inside the cab. Im trying to remember if there are breathers on the valve covers..... i dont think so.
 
ill tell ya what tho my 6.2 gets good mileage everyday and is very reliable...
 
Well i guess i'm just going to price it out and see where i end up. It would be nice to give the front end a diet. haha. Is it just as easy to snorkel gas or diesel?
 
Doesn't matter either way. Similar fenders and similar air filter housings. Both engines suck air in.
 
I looked at the weight of the stock 86 k5. It was about 4400 lbs. My CUCV weighs about 5300. Not sure about the engine weight. I would like to wheel in the winter here. So losing a little weight would help. I think i'm going to stick with the diesel. I will just have to put myself on the diet haha.
 
A 6.2 is quite a bit heavier, and I'm guessing heavier than a big block. The tranny will need a different torque converter. Had mine rebuilt, and they mentioned that once they found out it was for a diesel.

If you do the conversion to 350, you get to replace (at a minimum) dash and engine harnesses, gauge cluster, and possibly rerouting the radiator hoses.

I bought a long block right before gas and diesel prices flip-flopped and spent about $4,500. That is with a commercial account and doing the work myself.

Personally, I won't own another diesel. Tools, parts, and repairs are 3x more expensive.

But the plus side (at least around here) is that people will offer you most diesel parts for free once they know you are looking.

Of course, what you have available to work with will pry be your deciding factor.

Good luck with your endeavor!
 
what is GOOD diesel mileage, 88 1 ton 6.2 400t 4.56 gears 37" bfg's 10 mpg highway!!!!!!!!
 
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