Questions about using 6.5 parts on a 6.2

[Lonesome7.3]

I have a military CUCV with a 6.2 sitting out back I hope to get to at some point. Even though I will not start the build for a while I am always looking for parts to stick back. I pulled the parts I was missing for a turbo swap today. The truck I found them on is in a salvage yard and complete. I would like to get the accessories and serpentine brackets. What all should I get for this swap? I have read the tech articles but I have seen several different approaches to this. Am I on the right track here at least? Does the year of the 6.5 matter?

 

[That Crazy Squirrel]

I have a military CUCV with a 6.2 sitting out back I hope to get to at some point. Even though I will not start the build for a while I am always looking for parts to stick back. I pulled the parts I was missing for a turbo swap today. The truck I found them on is in a salvage yard and complete. I would like to get the accessories and serpentine brackets. What all should I get for this swap? I have read the tech articles but I have seen several different approaches to this. Am I on the right track here at least? Does the year of the 6.5 matter?

Yeah, the year of the 6.5 is going to have an effect because quite a few things changed on them over the years, such as the cooling system for instance.

Keep doing what you've been doing though, checking the tech articles and learning as much as you can about both and that should help you make the right choices.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

The cooling system is what I am hanging up on. I have found different information on the same subject matter.

 

[That Crazy Squirrel]

The cooling system is what I am hanging up on. I have found different information on the same subject matter.

Anything after '96 is going to have the improved cooling system on the 6.5. They changed it in the middle of the year, but I'm not sure when the improved engines actually went into specific models. GM tended to put improvements into the 1500 series first, as it was the best selling, and then the 2500 and the 3500 last. This is why I have such a hard time getting body parts for my truck. GM introduce the new body style in 1999, but did it gradually by using up all their stocks of old body style parts on the 3500's. The parts books all say that a 99 C3500 is NBS, but mine sure isn't. But considering the cooling system was what was improved I think it would have gone into the heavier duty ratings first, not last, as those were the ones most likely to have cooling issues.

Anyway, the improved cooling system takes a different water pump, different block and different heads. It uses two thermostats and a high flow water pump (130 GPM) so that's going to change what parts you can interchange.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

Sounds like I need to know what this truck has before I pull more parts.

 

[That Crazy Squirrel]

Sounds like I need to know what this truck has before I pull more parts.

Yup, that you do.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

I hope to be out there tomorrow.

 

[That Crazy Squirrel]

Truth be told though, I'd probably just want to swap in a late model 6.5 with the DS2 pump and a new harmonic balancer. That would be the best option in my opinion. You get the benefits of the redesigned cooling system, the mechanical pump, the main bearing web crack issue is solved and have an engine that's pretty close to bulletproof, doesn't need EGR, a cat, or much of anything in the way of electronics.

 

[Lonesome7.3]

Normally I would agree. But I have a low hour 6.2 and a tight budget. I would love a center mounted turbo'ed 6.5 for this build. But, I have to work with what I have.

 

[That Crazy Squirrel]

Normally I would agree. But I have a low hour 6.2 and a tight budget. I would love a center mounted turbo'ed 6.5 for this build. But, I have to work with what I have.

Do you at least know what year the 6.2 is?