New For Me 1985 Silverado 20 6.2 Diesel

If it gets cold where you are, the diesels had a pickup sock with a relief valve for when the fuel gels up. You're going to want that. I don't know the part number offhand, but I'll see if I have one at the shop so I can get a picture for you.

Oh lookey! It turns out I do have the part number:



The end of the strainer has the valve. It looks like a fuel pump check valve, just oriented so that suction will pull it open.

Well poo Derek, I can not find anything local, but could order

Blue Ox said:

Oh lookey! It turns out I do have the part number:

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The end of the strainer has the valve. It looks like a fuel pump check valve, just oriented so that suction will pull it open.

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Poo Derek, can't find anything local, only online. I have a very tight schedule, so will install and plug it in this winter. However you have been a help in the past and I appreciate it

Craig Nedrow said:

Well poo Derek, I can not find anything local, but could order

Poo Derek, can't find anything local, only online. I have a very tight schedule, so will install and plug it in this winter. However you have been a help in the past and I appreciate it

Click to expand...

Plugging it in is not going to help because the sock plugs up in the tank. The only fix at that point is warming up the tank itself.

Additives will help lower the temp where gelling occurs. When I've had the misfortune, it was at about 15°. But additives need to be added when the fuel is above freezing in order to mix properly. The warm return fuel, and the temp of fuel in a in-ground tank is usually okay to accomplish that if you add it when filling up. But once the fuel is gelled up it's too late.

So, remember to use your additives (which you should always be doing anyway) and you should get by until you have another chance to get in there.

Power services makes really good Diesel additives.

Finished wire brushing the frame, degreased, and painted. Also painted some under the hood. Thanks Craig85 for the paint tip, covers fast, and has the look I am looking for.

squaredeal91 said:

Power services makes really good Diesel additives.

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Power Service, Alliant Power, Stanadyne,... Any of those is fine. I hear that Howe's is good too. Never worked with that particular brand, but I've heard good things.

More done, trying to figure out the fuel switch wiring. My bro helped me test the original switch, and it was bad. Gas tanks ready to go, but holding until the wiring is completed. Can't get enough wiggle room to get the instrument panel to trace the wires. The 73 I can pull it out far enough to release the speedo so what a bugger. Also installed the new radiator, and it was also a bugger, took four hours, but it should last the rest of my life. I might be able to access the under dash area from the radio area, as it is coming out to get repaired by Joe. A few pics.

Not having fun with the fuel system as the PO really did a number on the wiring underneath, but I think I got the new switch in right. Reinstalled all the dash but the pad, put in LED bulbs, brightened it up dramatically. I have to install the switching valve, and the tanks. I am using the old pigtail as it was previously wired, don't know if it's right, but it is quick and dirty. Very disappointed that we cannot take the truck on our Kentucky trip, pooh, really wanted to do that, but running out of time as we leave next Wed. To many other things going on. I should not have done the heads on the IH truck, took more time then I thought which put me behind. We will take Mom 2018 GMC instead.

Well it's been a long time since I posted anything. Got my niece Whitney back from Kentucky, pretty fun. Next day had hernia surgery, went very well thank you! July 26 my good girl had pretty extensive back surgery, also went very well, she is up and we are walking every day. Sooooo today Jayden my grandson and I installed the tanks. Jayden doesn't know much about cars, but is a quick study. everything hooked up on top, installed a new selector valve, have the wiring that the previous PO installed. The tank hangers in the front are side specific, driver side needs to be like in Pic 1. I also had to loosen the mounts and bang then with a dead blow to align the tank mount holes, easy. Next fabed the new hoses, and clamped, but need to run fuel hose to the switching valve, finish that hopefully tomorrow.

I have also been working on the bed, cleaning underneath with a wire brush after repeated washings with ZEP purple industrial cleaner, works good. Wiped it down with alcohol, primered bare metal with epoxy primer DTM. Used Raptor liner two part system with there gun, and worked good. Makes me feel good that now the back half of the truck is protected.

More done, bed on and bolted, need two more bolts though. All fuel lines hooked up, switching valve hooked up. Tested the valve, and I can here it switching, and the gas gage moves, However forgot to hook up the + wire on the passenger tank, so may have to prop up the bed to get at the tank wiring which is a bugger, but it is what it is. Grateful that the switch and valve seem to work. Anyway Jayden pulled me to the diesel pump, started pumping and all the fuel went on the ground, (a pint or so,) Doo, better hook up those new vent and fill lines. So hopefully Thursday Jayden and I can get those hooked up, and everything is done on the fuel system. Hope to start the truck on Thursday, Hopefully everything will work. I will let you know.

She alive!! drove to town worked great, except the glow plug relay wouldn't come on once, but tapped it with a rock and it worked? Anyway, busy waxing, and putting the canopy that doesn't fit right back on, and basically hope to take this to the World of Speed on Sept 6th to watch the races for a few days. I damaged my tailgate, here is the new one, bugger. Bonneville will run from Sept 6th through the 10th, incase anyone is interested. I will be going by myself, as Jan is not yet up to it, camping by the "turn in the road". Maybe I will see someone there?????

Blue Ox said:

Plugging it in is not going to help because the sock plugs up in the tank. The only fix at that point is warming up the tank itself.

Additives will help lower the temp where gelling occurs. When I've had the misfortune, it was at about 15°. But additives need to be added when the fuel is above freezing in order to mix properly. The warm return fuel, and the temp of fuel in a in-ground tank is usually okay to accomplish that if you add it when filling up. But once the fuel is gelled up it's too late.

So, remember to use your additives (which you should always be doing anyway) and you should get by until you have another chance to get in there.

Click to expand...

Just read this, but commenting on fuel gelling.
Not sure why there are so many misconceptions, but generally any and all diesel fuel sold commercially in any area that gets cold weather is treated to prevent gelling at the rack for seasonal low temperatures.
The only times fuel gelling is usually an issue is when old summer fuel is being used, or same fuel from a hot area makes it to cold weather (think leaving Las Vegas and heading to Utah. There are actually signs on the highway about it….), or when an extreme cold snap gets down well below the treatment level of the fuel (ie: you wake up in the morning in Selah and it’s -29deg. Fuel in E WA probably isn’t treated for that low of temp).
It’s simply not an issue for everyday cold weather diesel engines. Unless the unlikely situations above present themselves.
Certainly no reason to be spending extra money dumping unnecessary additives into perfectly good treated diesel. Someone already did that for you.