When my 6.5 bit the dust I found a brand new Optimizer long block being sold off by a Phoenix Chevy dealer for $3000. Optimizer's are much more robust than the original Chevy 6.5's. Ted's sells Optimizer take outs from military Humvees. Lots of people have been happy with his engines. He does a compression test on them before selling them I believe. Not sure whether the Humvee 6.5 will fit in a van due to the center turbo mount. You may need to swap heads or something.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Excellent info thanks!
The vans have a center turbo at the back of the motor, but if i go with another 6.5, i may go naturally aspirated and nix the turbo all together.

My turbo has been non functional due to a NLA van wastegate vacuum valve and i havent had time to rig a pickup or hummer variant. Honestly i never even noticed my turbo wasnt working

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Mine's NA, you really don't give up much loosing the turbo except maybe at high altitudes. my GMC has no problems merging into traffic

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1993 MB 300D 245K died.

Yeah i drove the thing around for months thinking i had a turbo diesel. Does great even fully loaded as a NA until i let the van out of my sight unfortunately

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