Anyone got a GM 6.5l? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

fruitcakesa · #16 05-27-2009, 09:05 AM

Megacab Dodge Cummins 2500

Bajaman · #17 05-27-2009, 09:06 AM

LOL, megacab Dodge?? You must have missed the part about not wanting a car payment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daw_two

if anyone needs a Cummins....I might know where there are one, two, or ten.

Where are all these Cummins?

HoleshotHolset · #18 05-27-2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bajaman

Where are all these Cummins?

No kidding - I'm all ears!

Cheers,

Matt

snookwhaler · #19 05-27-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoleshotHolset

No kidding - I'm all ears!

Cheers,

Matt

Ah Ha!! Another one from the TDR forum.

I need to go re-up. I let my subscription run out after I sold the truck.

Me too... I'm still looking for the nice elusive 94-98 2500QC 4x4 with the 12 valve. The dually was just too much.

AJ

Lexxani · #20 05-27-2009, 07:15 PM

im on my 2nd 6.2 and love them. I have 170k and no issues. Its slow as all hell, but reliable and full of torque. My truck will most likely rust out before the engine dies.

pawoSD · #21 05-27-2009, 07:46 PM

If I got a diesel truck I'd choose cummins powered.

fruitcakesa · #22 05-27-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bajaman

LOL, megacab Dodge?? You must have missed the part about not wanting a car payment.

Where are all these Cummins?

Yes I know but I was just trying to offer a six passenger option with a Cummins which IMHO is head and shoulders better than GM or Ford diesels

snookwhaler · #23 05-27-2009, 09:33 PM

The 6.5 is a boat anchor. My father had one for years. Tried everything to make it run properly short of replacing the entire engine. 2 injection pumps, relocating the PMD, removing the choked down pipe, improving the cooling system, etc..., etc.... He could have bought 2 other trucks just trying to figure out the engine troubles. Then the damn heads cracked. Very common on the 6.5. More common than the block cracks. In short. He could have done a swap with a 12 valve Cummins 2 times over for all the money he wasted. But, he really liked the truck. Honestly, overall the Chevy was a better "truck" (and still is IMO). It just had a crappy engine that was poorly supported from the factory. The Cummins is the only way to go if you can do it (IMO again).

Ironically he sold the truck to some guys in Finland about 3 years ago. I'm sure they have long since turned the 6.5 into an "oyster bed" and probably have probably thrown a Cummins into the mix.

Bajaman · #24 05-28-2009, 10:13 AM

Well, I bought it. It's really clean and already has: 4" exhaust, and PMD relocation, tranny and IP rebuilt last year. If it dies it will likely get a cummins swap. But, it was well maintained (tons of receipts) and owned by a jet engine mechanic, so I think I got a good one...

vstech · #25 05-28-2009, 11:36 AM

OK, post some pics!
I know I know... it's not an MB, but it's a DIESEL!
I have a few of the 0lds diesels, and I do like them.
my 92 6.2 is strong as an ox, and quite peppy on the highway.
I think the trick to having a peppy 6.x is the transmission. a good DIESEL TC, and a tight tranny and you are good to go with them.
get a good manifold style fluid cooler, and a good oil cooler, and you should be happy for years to come with that truck.

equipmentjunkie · #26 05-28-2009, 02:50 PM

Bajaman, it sounds like you did pretty well from what you said in your last post. Documentation and a meticulous owner mean a lot to me, too. I wish you the best.

Bajaman · #27 05-28-2009, 03:12 PM

I haven't taken possession of it yet, but when I do I'll post some pics. Maybe the money will clear by Saturday and I can go get it. A different diesel is always exciting, even if its made by GM.

F18 · #28 05-28-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bajaman

I haven't taken possession of it yet, but when I do I'll post some pics. Maybe the money will clear by Saturday and I can go get it. A different diesel is always exciting, even if its made by GM.

Great! Good luck with it.......I had great luck with my 6.5 for over 11 years!

bigbillyboy · #29 05-29-2009, 06:54 PM

It was pretty good. It had 170K on it when I sold it. I think it has a worse reputation than it deserves. The good news is that there is a huge resource on the internet for these guys. You can save a bunch of cash if you're willing to DIY. Check out: http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=21. There are some good guidelines in there that, if followed, will make it very reliable. Sounds like with the PMD relocation, you have already eliminated the most problematic of the potential issues, Things I learned the hard way:

When the alternator goes out, get a good one with a lifetime warranty. I replaced my cheapo one 5 times within the 12month warranty period - tons of heat up there.

Keep cooling system in good order. It's easy to crack a head if you're careless

Inspect and maintain the harmonic balancer and the crank pulley balancer. There are rubber vibration inserts in those, and when bad, can lead to the the cracked blocks.

Most of the preventative stuff is relatively cheap, but when not done, leads to expensive repairs.

Good luck, and here was mine:

BobT · #30 05-29-2009, 07:35 PM

I sold my 1998 K2500 Suburban 6.5 in Nov, it ran great and pulled good but I did alot of mods to combat shortfalls. Overall it served me well for about 5 yrs. Sold with 172k miles. I was 2nd owner.

The meticulous maint will go a long way. Best of luck!