CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Engine decision

Goose

1/2 ton status
Joined
Feb 17, 2000
Posts
1,127
Reaction score
1
Location
South Central Kansas
I have a '85 K30 with a 6.2 diesel.
It runs just okay, and has a leaky water pump and injection pump.
Probably time for new injectors also. Needs new exhaust.

I also have a '72 454 complete from carb to pan and flywheel to water pump.
Needs rebuilt, been sitting for unknown time. Carb prolly needs redone also.

I'm trying to decide what to do with. I get about 12-13mph with the diesel, but diesel is about 40-50 cents more a gallon.

I'm also not too impressed with the power of the 6.2 and want some more.

Any input on which way to go?? Serious tune up the diesel, or rebuild the 454?? Anybody got idea of costs on the two?

thanks
 
If you're gonna do a rebuild on the 454 anyway, you might as well just rebuild the diesel instead ;) More power and a much cooler rig in the long run. Maybe it's just me, but a diesel K5 just makes me smile. Don't see too many around here.
 
If you're gonna do a rebuild on the 454 anyway, you might as well just rebuild the diesel instead ;) More power and a much cooler rig in the long run. Maybe it's just me, but a diesel K5 just makes me smile. Don't see too many around here.


x2


If you drive it much I would keep the diesel. You should be getting better mileage, fixing the injection pump leak will probably help that.


Also your sig says you have a 6.5 :confused:
 
Is it really possible to get more power out of a 6.2L diesel than a 454?????:confused:

Not a chance.

You should be getting much better mileage than that. The leaking pump would explain that. If you're gonna drive the thing a lot rebuild the diesel because it will get better mileage, if it'll be driven once in a while go with the 454.
 
About the 6.2 vs 6.5: the block code indicates a 6.5 liter, was originally a 6.2 but replaced with a gm shortblock before I bought it, or so I was told.
I don't know if the injection pump was calibrated for the 6.2 or 6.5
That may account for some of my weak performance, and I guess the poor mileage.
It has 4.11 gears and 235/85 tires.
 
You know ya want a 454 :D.
As far as a 6.2,we had a rebuilt pump put on our 86 and had the pump tweaked a bit{or a lot :D} and it will roll smoke now and even with an auto it will chirp the tires on take off and it's a dually too. It cost $2000 along with new injectors so I think we got screwed :mad:.

Cummins would be best.
 
Talk to the guys in the diesel forum here and over at http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com.



Can a 454 make more power than a 6.5L? Generally yes and almost always cheaper.

Can you build a 454 to make grin giving power along with mpg near 20mpg without OD?
Hell no.
 
I'm leaning towards tuning up the 6.2/5 liter. If I can get some mileage out of it like everybody is saying.
 

Latest Posts

Top Bottom