Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > General Discussions > Off-Topic Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-03-2016, 09:37 AM
JB3 JB3 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 7,246
roasted my 6.5 GM, time for engine options

lent my 02 work van to an associate for 2 weeks and 800 miles, and it returned like uncle bucks brougham, emitting an enormous cloud of white smoke at all times. hes not a gauge watcher so oh well.

Burning 1 gallon of coolant in 20 miles. at the age and mileage im considering going 4bt or 6bt instead since the van is good otherwise. Maybe even an older ford 7.3 instead. Something that can take punishment instead of the glass jaw 6.5

anyone have any opinions?

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-03-2016, 09:41 AM
JB3 JB3 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 7,246
a picture is worth a thousands words
Attached Thumbnails
roasted my 6.5 GM, time for engine options-burningcoolant.jpg  
__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-03-2016, 09:57 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 18,350
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.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-03-2016, 11:02 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,392
if it still runs good i would pull the heads and replace the headgaskets.probably your cheapest option if you plan on keeping it.a 6bt is no way in h3ll fitting in a van.for one the front suspension would never take the weight.but in the end probably your cheapest option is to find a different van.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-03-2016, 12:03 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 18,350
I'm pretty sure mine cracked the block so you can't just assume the problem is a headgasket. I have seen it claimed that if the upper radiator remains hard when cold it is a bad headgasket but if the upper hose doesn't get hard, it's a cracked block. Probably not a completely reliable diagnostic procedure though. These engines are known for cracking the lower block or putting a hole thru a rear cylinder wall.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-03-2016, 03:35 PM
JB3 JB3 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 7,246
Quote:
Originally Posted by catmandoo62 View Post
if it still runs good i would pull the heads and replace the headgaskets.probably your cheapest option if you plan on keeping it.a 6bt is no way in h3ll fitting in a van.for one the front suspension would never take the weight.but in the end probably your cheapest option is to find a different van.
I would have agreed with you until i read a thread where a guy fit a 6bt in an express with a 1.5 inch body lift. Actually fits amazingly well.

Suspension should have no problem on 3500 chassis
__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-03-2016, 03:36 PM
JB3 JB3 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 7,246
Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry View Post
I'm pretty sure mine cracked the block so you can't just assume the problem is a headgasket. I have seen it claimed that if the upper radiator remains hard when cold it is a bad headgasket but if the upper hose doesn't get hard, it's a cracked block. Probably not a completely reliable diagnostic procedure though. These engines are known for cracking the lower block or putting a hole thru a rear cylinder wall.
Engine is at 300k so a new engine might be the best plan long term
__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-03-2016, 03:42 PM
JB3 JB3 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 7,246
Quote:
Originally Posted by kerry View Post
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.
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
__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-03-2016, 04:29 PM
Drago's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: White Oak Swamp
Posts: 2,318
Quote:
Originally Posted by JB3 View Post
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

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
__________________
1993 MB 300D 245K died.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-03-2016, 09:37 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,392
still wouldn't waste my time trying to jam a 6bt in there.jeez i have an 03 express 3500 with a 6.0 i would sell ya for 3500.its a 15 pass extended van with rear a/c and heat.pull the seats and there ya go.heck a good 6bt will cost you about that.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-03-2016, 09:48 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 18,350
6 5 GM Diesel Engine Optimizer Low Miles Navistar 506 Block hummv Trucks 03 06 | eBay
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-03-2016, 10:24 PM
JB3 JB3 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 7,246
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drago View Post
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
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
__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-03-2016, 10:26 PM
JB3 JB3 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 7,246
Quote:
Originally Posted by catmandoo62 View Post
still wouldn't waste my time trying to jam a 6bt in there.jeez i have an 03 express 3500 with a 6.0 i would sell ya for 3500.its a 15 pass extended van with rear a/c and heat.pull the seats and there ya go.heck a good 6bt will cost you about that.
Must be a regional thing. 12 valves arent that expensive here. Sub 1000, was eyeing one for 800 bucks recently but someone else moved faster

I will find the thread and link it for you. Its amazing how well it appears to fit. Not a jam at all from the guys photos. I was pretty shocked
__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-03-2016, 11:11 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,392
might be cheap out your way.but out here in farm country any 6bt under 200k miles is gonna cost ya at least 2500.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-08-2016, 06:22 AM
JB3 JB3 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 7,246
Thinking this might be the best option after doing more research. Only hurdle will be getting an NA intake and making everything work in a van application. These guys are pretty on the ball information wise.

__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page