Im wanting to get a diesel pickup and found one with the 6.2 and i plan on staying away from that peice of junk. But i was wondering if the 6.5 is better. I herd its the same block but hopefully diferent seals and gaskets. I really like the GM trucks but never had a diesel and dont want a peice of s!%#.

Keep looking... If you think a 6.2 is a piece, then you're already biased. They are basicaly the same. The 6.5 has difference heads and a larger bore and a single piece rear main seal, thats about it. There are other differences, but mostly the same platform, different accessories throughout the years.

6.2 was one of the best N/A diesel ever put in a small truck, van, or surburban type auto. The 6.5 was a up grade with a turbo added and then EFI. So if you don't like the 6.2 you really ain't going to find a 6.5 you like SORRY

My old 83 6.2 with 325,000 that belongs to my dad for the last 10 years, is starting to rust on the outside of the engine due to lack of oil leaks! Any person that is so biased to a good engine should consider sticking with a gasser!:exactly:

Im wanting to get a diesel pickup and found one with the 6.2 and i plan on staying away from that peice of junk. But i was wondering if the 6.5 is better. I herd its the same block but hopefully diferent seals and gaskets. I really like the GM trucks but never had a diesel and dont want a peice of s!%#.
Mike me thinks you are somewhat misinformed, just exactly what are you NEEDING a Diesel for, 6.2 is great for mpg, a little low on power side, but for moving a truck from point A to B is a good way to go, adding a turbo kit or going to 6.5 turbo set up properly will unleash some power hidden in the engine. identify your desires, if racing engine is what you are after, go Gasser as DC recommends.

I live on a farm so I can get cheep diesel fuel. Also i dont think all 6.2s are junk just the one i was looking at. If the 6.5 is a better engine then id rather have it. I like the turbo but im really concerned about reliability, Ill just keep the gasser if ill be working on the diesel all the time. I know of lots of tractors that will run for forever with no problems and would like to have a truck the same. Ive herd guys say they have 300,000 trouble free miles and also herd lots of horror stories of the GM diesels. Thats the reason I ask because I like the chevy but im unfamiliar with the diesels and herd stories that are good and bad so I figured you guys no your stuff. I just dont want to blow my money on a peice of leaky junk.

Not every 6.5L owner works on it all the time but if you have one and are looking to make it really "work" you will.

IMHO, the 6.2 engine works better than just a truck mover, Many work trucks w/6.2's run forever with very little work on them. good mileage and can pull the heavy load around town or the farm just not very fast. I 4 wheeled with two of my 6.2's and worked them how every I needed to, But I also love my 6.5 and the extra highway power with a load on it. The GM diesel I believe you speak of with big problem were earlier 5.7's.

As far as reliability goes, the mechanical injection engines are much simpler and seem to have less problems. This would mean 92-93 6.5's and all 6.2's. The electronic injection pump has really been the 6.5's achilles heal. As far as buying a used vehicle, I would look for a vehicle that has been painstakenly maintained, with oil changes around every 3000 miles. The later model 6.5 electronic pumps seem to be more reliable than when they first came out. Reliability seems to be a crap shoot with ALL of the light duty diesels on the market due to electronics that can and will fail.:eek:

:exactly: I agree with what Dave and others have said about mechanically injected trucks. I'm glad I bought a '93 6.5 ... which had been painstakingly maintained.

If you plan to tow on the highway, you want the greater power the 6.5 turbo has. If you want an economical work truck for getting around, local hauling and towing around the farm, a 6.2 would be fine.

For economical diesel trucks, GM has the best combination of fuel ecomomy, inexpensive parts, ride/handling and durable automatic transmissions. The latter is important, given that what's out there on the used market in most places.

Good maintaince, a few modest improvements over factory ideas, and a general understanding of the engine and it's pitfalls will result in a long happy relationship with your new truck. Everyone of the big three put out a diesel. The GM is the most inexpensive of used diesels. The engines that GM put out may not be as sturdy as the other two, but what comes wrapped around those engines, counts too. If you like working on trannys, etc etc.