Ok, let me start with a bit of history. Bought my truck a little over a year ago w/ a bad tranny. Noticed the engine was recently replaced because it was shiny and spotless and could tell where the dirty parts like the trans had been freshly bolted up...you could just tell. No history on the truck.
Anyway, while I was messin with my IP timing I got to talkin with TD about how the 97 6.5's are weak and He made the comment about the hummer block. Well, It dawned on me that I have a sticker on my drivers side valve cover that says: General Engine Products- A subsidary of AM General Corperation.
Does anyone have any knowledge of these engines? Are they the good high nickel blocks? Am I a lucky SOB? If anyone knows anything about these engines I would love to hear it, even if its bad news. BTW, I also have the 5521 pump and its dated 2000 year. Is this pump a good one? Thanks.

5521 is the latest version of the 6.5 DS pump, but 2000 means its also 5 years old.

I don't suppose you could read the casting number inside the engine valley could you?

IMO I think the company's selling 6.5's don't want the high nickle ? asked because they are trying to dump their inventory of bad blocks. When I ask if the engines they are selling are the am general high nickle blocks, I get this pause then an Uh Yea. That's not the kind of decisive answer I'm looking for when it comes to my thousands of dollars. Having said that does any one know for certain what the casting number for the new high nickle am general block is?

IT got dark on me and didnt get a chance to get my casting number. I will get it and post it.

Its in the same place as the small block chevy gassers right? or is it closer to the valley? I am very familiar with gas cast numbers.
I am still interested in anyone that knows the skinny on these engines.
I found some interesting specs on AM general web sight. Not sure if they were talking about the marine block, but the output on the turbo engines was impressive. HP is 205/190 and TQ is 440/385.
check this out:


http://www.amgeneral.com/vehicles_gep_specifications.php

I found 599 in three places on mine. Dead center in rased beads on the IP valley, in the area behind the flywheel, hidden from view near the left rear freeze plug, and right behind the driverside head before the tranny, if you look with a light you will see the full cast number and the last three are the relavent ones.


Read this, it says gm blocks are made by GEP. They call them the optimizer 6500. LOL, sounds like a blender.

http://www.amgeneral.com/vehicles_gep.php

5521 is the latest version of the 6.5 DS pump, but 2000 means its also 5 years old.

I don't suppose you could read the casting number inside the engine valley could you?TDG, Is the 5521 a 'better' pump than the 5068. I thought the 5068 had the potential for more fuel.

Also, my block is a 599 as seen behind the drivers side head, but I can't find anything inside the engine valley. Did all 599 blocks have anything in the valley?

Tim