To 6.2, or not to 6.2

[4WDKC]

better check your gear ratio/tire size , diesels dont like high rpms

 

[hunters628]

No such thing as a military van. The cucv trucks were only pick-up and blazer configurations.

I’ll have to look at it again then. It has military markings on it, stenciled numbers under the hood and the whole thing is od green.

 

[75Monza]

Been down the 6.2 road before in a suburban I had. If taken care of, the motor would have lasted years. Biggest cost problem on it was the injection pump and injectors. The stock set up needed the lubrication from the higher sulfur diesel back in the day, and as they started changing the blend over to low sulfur, unless you put an additive in to the fuel, the seals and misc would wear out in the pump and injector internals would wear faster giving low pressure and a crap spray pattern. You can get the pump and injectors rebuilt with upgraded items to handle the ultra low sulfur fuel, but I still put stantadine in every tank on my diesels, seems to give better life on the injectors for sure.
The 6.2 you are looking at may be okay engine wise, but need the pump and injectors rebuilt. 16 years ago, mine ran me about $1200, found a good place in California, Redding Fuel Injection, they upgraded my stuff and sized my injectors up for more power.
The timing chains were miserable and would stretch to the point of not being able to adjust the pump enough to keep in time. Solution to that was a good gear drive, timing was rock solid afterwards.
The other item that sucked was the glow plugs. I would go through at least 2-3 a year and the controller about every 5 years. Never did the conversion, but was going to modify the intake and put in the heating grid off a Dodge Cummins since that was very reliable.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

My turbo 6.2 K5 was getting around 17 mpg. It ran about as well as a stock TBI 305.

A 1000 Neon or Civic would get 35 right now.

 

[75Monza]

If you can find one, around 1998 Jetta TDI for mileage. Slightly modified mine, euro turbo, euro transbus 5 cyl injectors, turbo back 2" pipe with flowmaster, lowered 2" on koni's and 18" low pro run flats, would consistently get 47mpg running 80 down the freeway. If I was nice and kept it around 58, would get 52mpg. Junked the stock interior and robbed a VR6 wolfsburg edition for the all leather and nicer seats for comfort.

 

[4WDKC]

There are a ton of good swaps out there depending on what you want it to do, Id probably do a 4bt before 6.2
6bt
4.2 trailblazer I6 with efi
LS
vortec 5.7 with cam change.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

There are a ton of good swaps out there depending on what you want it to do, Id probably do a 4bt before 6.2
6bt
4.2 trailblazer I6 with efi
LS
vortec 5.7 with cam change.

I didn't read the whole first post.

If getting it running before winter is the priority, grab a 96-99 Vortec 350, slap a carb intake and carb on it, and go enjoy life with 65% more power than you had stock.

 

[hunters628]

I didn't read the whole first post.

If getting it running before winter is the priority, grab a 96-99 Vortec 350, slap a carb intake and carb on it, and go enjoy life with 65% more power than you had stock.

I have already missed the getting it running by winter deadline. We are getting snowed in in town today. I just went and dig through the wrecking yard yesterday and they have a running 165k mile 6.5td that they want $400 for with accessories. Considering that swap now. Would cut out the rebuild step for me.

 

[Dooley]

No such thing as a military van. The cucv trucks were only pick-up and blazer configurations.

Wrong.
The military has had many 1 ton vans, and they were mostly diesel powered.

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[TPISly-C10]

i swap my 6.2 diesel for a LQ4 6L LS engine....and wow so much power and good millage too!

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[hunters628]

i swap my 6.2 diesel for a LQ4 6L LS engine....and wow so much power and good millage too!

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What kind of mileage are you getting

 

[hunters628]

Went and dig through the yard more today. Found another Chevy 1 ton van. This one is an 86 6.2 diesel and I believe it is a j code from the vin. Correct me if I’m wrong. This engine looks pretty clean but is in unknown condition. $300 for the whole thing. If it is a J code is it worth the gamble? Or would I be better off putting that $300 in something else.

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[Blue Ox]

The C and J engines are basically the same. The difference is the EGR and injection pump calibration. Better to pick a known healthy engine and tweak the other components later if necessary.

 

[82Diesel]

6.2 Forever!

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[Itali83]

I’m a 6.2 noob but a square body veteran. I just picked up an 87 suburban 2wd with a 6.2 in it. It’s a 2 owner truck and was meticulously maintained. Motor runs great with 700r4 and 3.08:1 gears. I just got 23.5mpg’s on a highway trip last week averaging 70mph. It’s not flat land here in Maine either. Yes, it is underwhelming in the power department. I also have a 12valve Cummins in a dodge 1ton that I’ve done work to so I’ve been in a powerful diesel.

But, that being said, so far I’m liking the 6.2. I’ve already added a glow plug manual override solenoid in parallel with stock controller and manual advance/high idle switch because my temp sensor is bad and at over $100 for a new one. I’ll just do it manually. I put fresh Delco 60g’s in it and it starts great. We’ll see how it does in really cold weather but it had a block heater too.

Soooo.... if you want mileage, the 6.2 is the way to go. I wouldn’t bother putting a turbo on it, just embrace it for what it is. A fuel sipping motor that will get out of its own way but barely. But you do need the whole package. If you are planning on running the TH400 and your truck has lower gears in it, you’re just wasting your time.

Ben