Got an engine...now what?

[longbedder]

I recently won a govliquidation auction for an engine. My EUC is in the approval process now. I've done some research based on whatever info I could gather, and it appears to be a new/unused naturally-aspirated 6.5L made by General Engine Products. While certainly not the latest version that they offer, this engine was marketed as the Optimizer 6500. They (GEP) list the naturally aspirated version as the baseline for their turbodiesel.

This engine was originally procured between Nov 2007 and June 2008.

The block is a 12555506 casting number. The injection pump is mechanical (but I'm not sure exactly which one).

I have a feeling this engine should be pretty stout in its current form and could handle a turbo at 10-12psi and still last, but I can't seem to get any good answers that confirm this. Is there anyone here with enough knowledge to say just run it turboed as-is or tear into a stud/girdle job? I want it to last a good long while.

 

[Mikey von]

Looks like a great score. If it is a new optimizer 6500, you should be able to turbo it and go. I am not one with a ton of knowledge though.

May I ask how much your winning bid was?

 

[longbedder]

I won it for $1020, which pretty much means I stole it given the condition and manufacturer.

There is an awful lot of hype and mixed info about the Optimizer on the web (especially on the diesel sites). AM General is calling every 6.5L they built since 2000 the Optimizer 6500 - that's when they took over production from GM I believe. There are several different versions.

I believe that this is a high-moly block with 10mm outer main bolts and good, strong heads. I am not sure if the main webs are any bigger than the older civvy models (although I suspect they may be). It also, of course, has mechanical lift/injection pumps (good things in my book).

I am willing to put some more money into it up front if it's worth doing to make it perform well and last my lifetime. If it's good enough to do that already, I'm just going to turbo and go. I also realize that I won't know the full picture until I actually take possession and see it.

I contacted Heath Diesel who is supposed to specialize in these engines and I must say they were less than helpful.

 

[K5dreamer]

i am green with envy

 

[DEMON44]

not that I know sweet f-all about any 6.5 but I can tell you its got some goofy ass exhaust manifolds on it. makes me think its a marine spec engine. and nice of them to plug all the ports with plastic caps............and leave the TOP OF THE INTAKE OPEN> youre gonna wanna pull the intake and vacumme out the heads to be sure. all it takes is a nut, a pebble, a piece of whatever to scratch the cylinder wall cause it fell in the intake. and your engine is toast.

for the time it takes, get it on a stand, flip it, pull the pan and see what you see. stud and girdles is a heck of an idea if you want an engine to last. and a fluid damper if you can get on for those engines. would be top notch.

at this point its easy to do better now than later when it might be too late.

 

[longbedder]

I do fully intend on pulling the intake and pan to see what I can see.

They pulled it off for the pictures, but this engine is stored in a metal shipping container. I won't go so far as to say it's airtight (maybe it is - I don't know), but it does give good protection.

Those exhaust headers are for the HMMWV.

 

[DEMON44]

so the 6.2 i just picked up yesterday is the same block casting as that one.

so does that mean I got an "optimizer" too. I learned now the engine I got was a crate engine put in the '91 I got it out of.

 

[Russell]

Yup, check your original post...

 

[Mikey von]

It was nice meeting you last night longbedder.

I hope you guys made/make it home alright.

 

[longbedder]

Likewise Mikey - thanks for being so flexible. We did get in last night just fine after a detour thru Reno to pick up my Stak Monster Box

Hopefully you won't recognize the Blazer next time you see it...