Hey Guy's, I'm a newbie here, and I have some question's. I have an opportunity to purchase a 97 Chevy with a blown 6.5 in it. Truck is in good shape, 4x4 and auto, just how expensive would it be to go through the engine? I would plan on a few mod's later, but what would I need to do to make this engine last? OK, flame suit on:eek: , I do know quite a bit about D-Maxes, Cummin's and Powerstroke's, BUT I know absolutely squat about the 6.5's. Well, I do know a little as we had a fleet of ambulances, Injector pump's, turbo's, the usual, but I am really interested in making a 6.5 scream. Any taker's?? :cool: Thank's:help:

Gotta make it run before it will scream, and its really hard to say what it will cost to rebuild it. Blocks crack, cranks break, you never really know until you get it apart.

You'd probably be best off to buy a rebuilt one and swap it in.

Doe's GM still offer crate motor's?

18:1, bigger turbo, IC and a reflash should do it.

Thats exactly what I'd do TDG, But I'd buy a good used running motor to get the truck running and then slowly rebuild the one I pulled out IF I needed the truck right away and the money tree wasn't blooming yet. On the other hand if I gould wait and had the money I would buy/rebuild me a new one and do it just as QM suggested, 18:1, bigger turbo, IC and a reflash.

When buying a rebuild stay far, far away from '97 thru '00 blocks, someone correct me if I'm wrong, I believe the casting is 506. These crack under normal conditions, so esspecially watch out if your seeking extra power. This is probably the reason the engine in it is blown.

I've heard the opposite, that you want a '97+ block.

Hell, I think they all crack ... except mine! (knock on wood)

Check this out on fleabay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33615&item=7985901124&rd=1

OK, I get your idea's. Are the 18:1's available aftermarket, what type of turbo, and other goodies available? Can you post some link's? I plan on picking the truck up in about 2 week's, and I'll do my own rebuild. Are there any gear drive's to replace the timing chain as I remember they were a problem. Stock or aftermarket injector's. Sorry so many question's, I just want to do it right the first time. Thank's

Maybe we should just point you to www.kennedydiesel.com Kennedy frequents the site here often and sells pretty much everything your asking about.

'97 was the introduction year of piston spray cooling. The main webs in the block were drilled to allow oil to get to the pistons, also outer main bearing bolt size was reduced to allow some space for the new oil channels. Where these channels were drilled weak spots were created and cracks developed. GM identified this problem and increased the nickle content of the block around 2000 to compensate. According to what I've read on this site even the uncrack-able most current Hummer blocks are still cracking at these oil channels.

The cracking I've seen on '96 and older block's occurred at the top/back of the block near the #8. This was blammed on lack of material near a head bolt and the fact that the rear of the block runs considerably hotter than the front.

There's tons of articles about known issues with all year blocks search Google.