6.5 chevy diesel

Looking at a 98 3/4 4x4 chevy with a 6.5 turbo . It's rough looking,,been used as a truck for sure . Everything looks and sounds good though . Motor has 25,000 on rebuild and trans has 40,000 on build . Anything to watch for on these ? How about power wise ? I have a 88 ford F250 camper special now with a 460 , how is this going to compare ? I like the power the ford has , but the mileage won't be missed .

Depends on the seller's difinition of "re-build". He could mean "patch job". Receipts? parts lists? by reputable place? How many total miles? maintenance records? oil changes? coolant flushes? "rough looking" may be rough treated. Tom

I know what you mean there ! IT's had a rough life , but it's pretty solid yet .I am getting this waaayyyy cheap. Owner is thinning down his fleet ,and I have a big Diesel Toro mower he wants . I know who rebuilt it. Complete OH at machine shop . Pretty confident all the repairs are done right . More interested in how it's gonna stack up power wise to the 460 .

I have 1999 1ton 6.5 main problem is the PMD going bad. If not modifide off the injector pump.
Power you will not have the power, 190 hp that 460 has. I would not give to much for the truck in this part of the country they sell low price.
I like 6.5 engines but I do not work mine heavy.
pull d21 komatsu dozer.

We had a 96 we bought new. It was a heavy 3/4 with 4.10 rear. After owning two 6.2's we were excited. Little to say, we were very disappointed. It pulled like a 350 smanll block for power. And with a gooseneck and a tractor would run hot pulling the slightest grade on the hwy in mild summer temps. In a desert climate it would have fried itself. After getting roughly 17 empty with the 6.2 it was sad to get only 12-14 empty with the 6.5. We sold it in 04 with only 50k on it ater numerous trips to the dealer for repairs. We are diehard GM fans but in that era of trucks Dodge Cummins was easily the best. Now own an 06 CTD

So load up a trailer, hook it to the truck and go for a test ride.

There is no proper "rebuild" process for a 6.5. So, I'm curious what exactly was done.

The block is pretty much the same as the later 6.2s and prone to cracking at the main-bearing webs once it gets over 200K miles. The crank is never supposed to be ground since when new, the journals are surface-hardened. It is also only cast-iron instead of the forged steel, like just about every other diesel in the world uses. The heads are lightweight and prone to cracking if overfueled and/or overheated. So, I'd make sure to ask what specifically was done to it.

I've been using 6.2s and 6.5s for years, but also understand their severe limitations for HD use. I would not drive any 6.2 or 6.5 long distance if it has over 150K without pulling the oil pan and inspecting for main-bearing web cracks. One note: sometime around 1998 GM addressed the block cracking problem and made the outside bolts on the main-bearing caps smaller. Made them 10 mm instead of 12 mm. So, if you have 10 mm outside bolts, you've got the stronger block.

If you want a reliable and older diesel puller, get a Dodge with a 5.9 Cummins, or to a lesser degree, a Ford with an IH 7.3 IDI turbo (up to mid 1994), or a later 7.3 DI Powerstroke. Both are worlds better for heavy use, than the 6.5 can ever be. Except: There are now new 6.5s being built with beefed up and high alloy blocks, heavier Chinese heads, and forged steel crankshafts. Sometimes called "Optimizer 6500s" and they cost a fortune. Mostly sold for HUMVEE replacement engines or for marine use.

Don't forget to tell him about the cylinder cracking issue with the 1999 to 2000 blocks! That can happen at a LOT less miles than the main bearing web cracking typically does.

<img src = "http://flashoffroad.com/Diesel/No8Cyl/image/Crack.jpg">
A crack in 8, Aint it GREAT

Thanks for the great info . I have been looking for a Dodge , but this deal came up . I have $500 in the mower ,so I'm not out much . Mower hasn't sold ,and got this truck offer . Car lot up the street said wholesale on it somewhere around $2500. I would not go out and buy one of these , but may end up with this one . Might be easier to sell this truck than the mower with winter on it's way .