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#16
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I am a Duramax owner myself, but I have to admit the new Fords and HO Cummins have a slightly higher torque and hp rating. I am not sure about actual "real-world" difference, though. Although with all the Ford injector problems, I will accept a little less overall power. Next year's Dmax is supposed to once again take over the lead. Although it will have an EGR on Federal models (which didn't sound like it would be so bad until I pulled the intake on my 87 Merc. ).
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Keep everything as simple as possible-but no simpler--Albert Einstein |
#17
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I can vouch for the injector pump and transmission failing. Both had to be rebuilt on my 84 Chevy K 20 4WD at about 40,000 miles.
In my opinion anything GM builds is crap. They had to ask Isuzu engineers to design their latest truck Diesel engine for them. Probably the Isuzu Diesel will be the best one GM has ever sold. I wish MB built a Diesel PU truck. Maybe the Sprinter with a PU box and 4WD. P E H Last edited by P.E.Haiges; 09-27-2003 at 11:17 PM. |
#18
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I had an '82 K5 Blazer with the 6.2, 700R4,and 3.08 gears. it was my main tow beast for several years. Had way over 100k on the clock. Eventually it did need the pump rebuilt and I had the injectors done at the same time. Don't recall changing the pump being a big deal. Looked intimidating, but was really no problem. Biggest problem I had with engine was my own fault. Seemed to eat glow plugs, then I finally wised up and replaced the bad glow plug controller. No more problems after that. Got good fuel mileage. Worst ever was towing camper up and down mountains of KY with air on: 11mpg. Wish my 454 Sub. could do that.
I will agree that the 700R4 was junk. That engine put out WAY too much low end torque for that transmission. That was the reason I finally sold the truck. Transmission went out one time too many. |
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I'm going to regret taking this bait...
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However, the guy I referenced earlier who was having problems with GM automatics was, IIRC, having problems with both 700R4's and TH400's. Again, I don't know the details there, and maybe his experience was an exception, but he regularly praises the old truck...except for the tranny. Quote:
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Whoever said I'm brand-loyal? I don't think that Ford marks the epitomy of American manufacturing; in fact, before I came to my senses and realized that I only needed one truck I was going to replace my van with a '92 Dodge D-250. Fuel mileage and registration costs led me to look for a small diesel-powered commuter car instead, and hence I got my 300D. I think that Ford and Dodge have their good points and their bad points, and are overall on par with each other. Yes, I have a very low opinion of GM, and if you want to know why, I'll attempt to explain it. Part of it is, as mentioned earlier, my viewpoint that they made various engine parts needlessly difficult to get to. In addition, I have yet to see any ample proof that there was ever a model year after 1983 where GM had an offering that was, at least in my opinion, truly "better" than what Ford and/or Dodge had to offer, and when I see people talking about GM as if it's the only option available, I have a tendency to attempt to show the person that there are other offerings that are (again, in my firm opinion) a better choice for the person. I also don't think that independent front suspension belongs on a full-size 4 wheel drive truck (yes, my F-250 has an IFS setup, and I would be happy to ditch the IFS for a Dana 60 solid axle; let's not get into how I came to own my truck right now). I've also seen evidence that GM does a lot of corner-cutting on design and manufacturing. For this reason, I've seen interiors that were in a much more poor state of repair than they should have been, just as an example. BTW, GM actually issued a press statement a couple of months ago saying that their quality over the past 20 years has not been up to par, and have promised to make things better. I honestly look forward to seeing what they'll do...and I sincerely hope that they get it right this time. (continued in next post) |
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(continuation of last post; I didn't know that there was a maximum character allowance in an individual post )
In addition, I do have some straight-up anger towards GM. They did such an excellent job of alienating the American public to the diesel engine in the early 1980's that many people today still think that diesels are unreliable pieces of junk. Even if the 350 diesel were capable of a long, maintenance-free life (this is up for debate although I'm sure you know what my position is ), GM apparently did a horribly substandard job of educating the vehicle buyers regarding caring for the technology that most of them had never seen before. As a dieselhead who regularly has to explain to people that the diesel engine is not a piece of junk, I simply cannot excuse GM for doing this. Had they done more testing on the 350 diesel before putting it into normal production and then educated the owners on the engine adequately (or if they had not tried), I think the history of vehicles in the United States over the past 15 or so years would likely be much different. Quote:
Okay, given that it's almost 0230 and I'm coming down with something, I hope that was all coherent...I'll re-read it tomorrow and make any corrections. Until then, have a good evening. |
#21
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Believe me I am not a defender of GM in general, just in that I think the 6.2-6.5 motors got a bad rap. They were designed be Detroit Diesel for GM in the very early 80's. Primary considerations were good fuel mileage and decent power. They are very good at what they were designed for. Comparing them to Navistar and Cummins is really quite apples and oranges. The weights of the engines tell the story. The GM's weigh about 700lbs. Cummins and Navistar are over 1K.... The Cummins and Navistar are both deep-skirted heavy duty industrial motors that were never intended for light duty pickup truck use. It is somewhat suprising to me that the GM did as well as it did considering the original design intent. GM also really sucks at customer support, training dealer techs, etc. especially when it comes to diesels. Anyhoo, Cavitation is a known phenomenon that has occured in different heavy-duty diesel brands at one time or another over the years. Anti cavitation additives are very common and often just thrown in just in case or included in the chemistry of HD diesel coolants. Suprisingly the GM design never had a problem with it. As far as statistics on the Stanadyne pump life the membership on the Dieselpage seem to get 175-200K on a pump. Mine has 190K and since I can't seem to get the EGT's past 1000* anymore I think its past its prime. Still starts and runs fine so I am no hurrry to change it. Regarding the special tools. I use a squad of flare nut wrenches, crowsfeet, 15* and 30* offset combinations, special injector socket, and even a special injection pump mounting bolt wrench for pump work. Special tools are expected for some things and MB's are certainly one of the worst when it comes to this. My theory is the Stanadyne pumps are very easily damaged by water. Since the filter systems on US diesels are all inadequate, IMHO, and owners are not properly educated on how to care for diesels, most pumps die a premature death. Regarding the strength of the TH400, it makes a damned fine drag racing transmission as does the C6 and 727. None of them should have any trouble with a diesel. The 4L80E is the only 4spd OD auto transmission I am aware of that is being built to live behind 1200+hp "streetable" hotrod engines. Cost is not an object for the people who play with these types of toys so if the Ford or Chrysler trannys were better they would be being used. IMHO the GM trucks look better, ride/handle better than the competition of that era. While my truck has been suprisingly reliable and tows much better than I expected I didn't buy it for those reasons. Its comfortable, quiet, efficient and was MUCH cheaper than comparable Dodges/Fords when I bought it. Believe me if MB made a diesel pickup I would want one too. But since a GM/Ford/Dodge are all over $35K now I would imagine the MB at least double that figure. And GM didn't ask Isuzu to design their new diesel for them... They told them!! GM owns a controlling interest in Isuzu. Isuzu is also the worlds largest producer of diesel engines. If they say alloy heads are okay I tend to think they know what they are talking about. RT
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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops! 84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K 03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K 93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K |
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