6.5TD's?

jet mech · December 28, 2001

Hi to all,

My '92 chevy K1500, 350ci,xtra cab,short bed has been one of the most dependable,best running vehicles I've ever owned(131,000 mi. and counting). As good as it has been, it's time to think of getting something a bit newer. We pull a 25ft. 5th wheeler(6500gvw) with this truck but to be honest its right at its upper limit of what it is rated to tow. Looks like a 3/4 ton is in my future. I'd really like to stay with Chevy and would like to go to a diesel. Dura-max is to way pricey for me right now. That leaves trying to find as new a 6.5TD as possible. I've read about the troubles that early years of the 6.5 have had with the injection pumps and block cracking/cooling problems. My question to all is -- by '98 to '00 were most of the problems solved?? I know that with the '98+ 8600 gvw trucks you got the L65 430 ft # torque engine. How do these engines compare to the other diesels on the market as far as trouble free operation. Anything I should look out for while hunting for my next truck??

Anyone out there who has or had one of these'98 to'00 trucks that wants to tell how good or bad these engines are, I'll be all ears. Thanks for a great forum and web site.

Suburbanite · December 29, 2001

I think you'd be better off posting your question on a diesel-specific website. The only one I can recall off-hand is: gm-diesel.com , but there are others.

AFAIK the last change to the 6.5TD was made in '97, higher capacity water pump & ???, so anything newer than that should be ok.

As for dependability, IMO the pre-24 valve Cummins is easily the winner in that category. Next is the 6.5TD & lastly the PSD.

FWIW, from what I've read, the 6.5TD is quite limited in its abilitly to be 'hopped' up. OTOH, the Cummins & PSD can make mind-boggling power with the right mods.

I don't know how you feel about noise but the 6.5TD is the 'quietest' of the diesels & it's definitely not quiet, as I can attest to, since I own a '95. The Cummins is the noisiest.

I'd hold out for the Duramax.

Greg · December 30, 2001

I would consider most 6.5s to be projects rather than truly reliable transports. If you want to stick with Chevy, try looking for a pre-99 (old body style) C/K 2500 with a gas engine - 350 or 454. If you're towing about a 6500 lb. 5er, a gas 3/4 ton should do the job nicely. If you think you'll also be buying a larger 5er in the near future (8-10K lbs) you'll need to go to 1 ton.

Kansas Kid · December 30, 2001

I think as long as you don't expect the 6.5TD to have near the power of a Duramax, Cummins, or PSD you will probably fairly pleased with how well it pulls compared to your current truck. Not only with how the truck handles the load, but the 6.5 will pull better then a 350. Whatever you do though, make sure you go atleast 98 and newer trucks because by that time they had solved all the injection pump (the major cause of failure on these motors) and the overheating problems.

As for the changes, in 97 they went to a larger water pump, dual thermostates, and the pistons recieve oil cooling jets on the bottom side. The oil capacity of the 6.5 was increased in the 1999 model year to 8 quarts. Up from 7 quarts used in all earlier models. The 1999 model C/K trucks are being equipped with the MT800 cooling system originally intended for the new Silverado body style trucks. The added cooling provided by a 21" 9-blade composite fan and enhanced water pump allows for a stock power increase to 215 hp and 430 lb-ft. The '99 model engine uses the same hi-capacity engine oil cooling system incorporated in the 1997 model year. This increase in oil pump capacity is being used to increase oil cooler flow rates of 100% and allow additional flow volume to feed the piston oil spray nozzles.

New for 1999 is a 3000 rpm governed limit and an exhaust pressure regulator system designed to reduce white smoke on a cold start. Also, beginning in 1999, the catalytic converter was removed without affecting the emissions certification.

For anything else, I would highly suggest checking out

http://www.62-65-dieselpage.com