any tips or tricks? the engine in my 82 now has a broke crank, so the block crank pistons blah blah blah are done, im assuming the heads are still good along with the new Fuel Injector pump, injectors, glow plugs, and intake. however on my new engine the starter and alternator are brand new but while taking out of the other vehicle the valve cover was gashed open and its kinda dented so i was going to remove that valve cover and replace it with the old one from my 82, with this, the injector hoses ( metal ) are kind of bad so is that going to be hard, should i just buy new ones? and any other tips would be helpful Thanks alot in advance!

The valve cover should fit just fine. Are the hard lines bent up/kinked etc? if so, yes they should be replaced.

Check the damper on the new engine as well- this is supposedly a major cause of crank failure in these engines. About 90 bucks at NAPA.


What did the new engine come out of? remember, if it had a serpentine belt the water pump runs anti-clockwise. Use the one from the old engine if it's OK.

This is all I can think of at the moment- others will chime in I'm sure.
Good luck!

thanks, yeah we are replacing the hard lines, what is a damper? not exactly sure and this new engine came out of a 1986 GMC 1 ton Box truck, that was used as a carpet installer/ cleaner van and the trans went out in it, so they sold it to the junkyard, ive heard this engine run....

Thanks alot for your help

The balancer is the piece behind the crankshaft pulleys. It balances the engine. There is a rubber isolater between the 2 pieces that deteirerates from time and oil. The 2 pieces will shift and throw the engine out of balance. The out of balance condition will break the crankshaft. This is a very common failure on these engines. Cheap insurance to put a new one one before putting the engine in the truck.

If the donor was a G chassis van the accessory brackets and pulleys will be different, but the water pump will be the same. I think the vans had shorter body nozzles too. The hard lines are different lengths, use van lines if you are keeping the van nozzles.

All the '82 brackets and other parts should fit OK on the '86 engine. Is your '82 truck a 1/2, 3/4 or 1 ton?

good luck!

1/2 ton, i think w will buy new balancers/dampeners i dont want this thing to break again!

Thanks alot anything else?

If your 82's a 1/2 ton, it has an EGR valve in the intake. IIRC, the van intake will fit and clear the hood. No EGR so better performance and economy. (Guys W/ vans, any input?)

Not much other I can think of, the mightaswells really can add up.
Front and rear main seal, oil pan seal etc. New dampers are cheap, engines not so much. Replace it if nothing else!

good luck

okay thanks alot we just replaced all gaskets and seals, now we are moving onto the oil cooler lines, fuel lines, and pump tonight as well as getting the intake off and cleaning it really good Thanks for the help I got a new dampener today, anything else?

Thanks alot dude!

No worries man.

Maybe a nice coat of GM Diesel alpine green paint? Sounds like you're ready to go. Snap some pics when ya get 'er in there.

Im taking pics of the whole swap ill get them up shortly after im finished which im hoping will be this sunday, should in theory fire right up and be GTG!

Thanks for all your help !