The electrical system would need some work, and I'm guessing that you'd probably have to do something to the drivetrain, maybe engine mounts too? I would defer to more experienced guys on this forum.

What are you going to do with the 6.2L? And what killed it? I'm looking for a Glow Plug Controller from that year truck--it should be the tall plug screwed into the driver-side cylinder head back by the firewall with a 5-wire plug coming out the top. If you're going to junk the engine, can I get that controller from you?

 

There was an outfit that did that conversion on hummers - pulled the diesel and replaced with 454s. Killed the fuel "economy" too. From 12 down to 5-7mpg.

 

sblair, I am not sure what killed it. The previous owner told me that there was a hole in the block. I haven't had a chance to look at it. I just bought it and parked it in storage until I get the other engine ready to go in. I was going to list the engine locally as a complete engine but if your interested maybe we can make a deal. Describe it a little more in detail where and what the part looks like. Thanks

 

The Glow plug controller is about a 1" diameter x 3" long plug thats screwed into the top of the driverside cylinder block back towards the firewall sorta behind the air cleaner housing & near the secondary fuel filter. It's got a 5 wire plug going into the top of it. It looks like this:

 

The Glow plug controller is about a 1" diameter x 3" long plug thats screwed into the top of the driverside cylinder block back towards the firewall sorta behind the air cleaner housing & near the secondary fuel filter. It's got a 5 wire plug going into the top of it. It looks like this:
View attachment 17625

Will check it out when it quits raining out here. Supposed to rain for the next 5 days. Oh great. This is supposed to be Sunny So Cal. Arrrggggg

 

It is my understanding that the 454 will use the same engine mounts as the 6.2. Exterior dimentions are about the same. Tranny bolt pattern same. On an 84, if you are keeping the 700R4 automatic, you should probably replace the torque converter and there is some electrical inside the tranny that is different from the gas vs. diesel setup. I'm not sure about drive shaft length...but that should be easy to find out. Are you going with a carb 454 or fuel injection. If fuel injection, the computer is totally different.

BTW, what are you going to do with the old motor?

 

It is my understanding that the 454 will use the same engine mounts as the 6.2. Exterior dimentions are about the same. Tranny bolt pattern same. On an 84, if you are keeping the 700R4 automatic, you should probably replace the torque converter and there is some electrical inside the tranny that is different from the gas vs. diesel setup. I'm not sure about drive shaft length...but that should be easy to find out. Are you going with a carb 454 or fuel injection. If fuel injection, the computer is totally different.

BTW, what are you going to do with the old motor?

Ok. First off, the trans is a 400 in this year. I don't think they came with 700R4's until 1987. 454 is gonna be carbed by a holley 750 double pumper. I am replacing the torque converter. I am going with a 2800 rpm stall. By my observations, the 454 will fit the motor mounts and bolt to the trans where it is. That would make the driveshaft the same length. I think all of that will be an easy swap. I am just wondering about the fuel system and the electrical system. Thanks

 

Diesel power steering pump runs hydroboost unit on brakes... Unless you swap out for a gas model vac booster and master cyl, you have to get power steering fluid up to hydroboost unit, and have a second return line. I don't know if old diesel pump will fit on 454 block..if so just use it. Fuel tank should be OK.... just plug off the return line and remove diesel fuel filter from firewall. Alternator is close enough..just use it... Big pink wire which powers injector pump can run your HEI distributor no sweat...I think that's about it. Are you gonna try to run the factory guages...I don't know if sensors are same...

 

My neighbor pulled a 6.2l out & dropped in a 350ci. in a suburban. He didnt have any problems engine fit right in, fit the th400, flushed the fuel system. fuel milage is terrible, and has a lack of power. As far as sensors he just wired his gauges into the gasser sensors where applicable. He doesnt drive it much. Maybe a 454 will do better for power, but the gas bill!!!!

 

I agree with stumplefoot.. can you somach 8 mpg. At 200 mile per week the difference is $1200 /year. You can get a good used 6.2 replacement motor for that. Save youself all the conversion headache...unless you just hate diesels..

 

fftopic:

I've been waiting my entire forum life to use that smilie. Rather sad, looking back...

I understand the desire for the 454. I don't think that it is really worth swapping in because of the fuel economy, but the question posed by bigbird was not "is the swap worth it."

It was:

What do I need to change besides the engine?

And in answer:

Not much. You'll need to figure out what you are going to do for brakes, drain the fuel tank, flush the fuel lines, remove the diesel fuel filter(s), and find the proper hoses to hook up the radiator. As maynard noted, you can use the IP wiring to run your ignition and mount the existing alternator. You can remove the extra battery, or leave it in there for an emergency. You'll need to block the return line off at the tank because it is no longer needed. If you want (or if it is bad anyway), you could drop the tank and replace the sending unit with a gas version and eliminate the need for blocking off the return line.

Should be an easy swap.

 

Is the 84 a 1/2 ton or 3/4, if its a 1/2 its got a 700r4 if 3/4 a 400.
I just finished a gas to diesel swap and can say for you its easy.
You will need a gas throttle cable as the 6.2 is WAY too long.coil up the pink wire to the injector pump and hook it to the distributer.all the gauge wires will fit the gasser, just hook up the diesel senders to the 454 and go.
Look at the gear selector if it goes P R N D 2 1 Its a 400 If it goes P R D With a O around it then D 2 1 its a 700R4 and will never live behind a 454.
454 exhaust from a late 70's truck should fit, unless you want a custom set up.
Good luck, Merle
PS I would stay with a diesel but thats just me, if you want brute power 454 is the way.

 

It has the 400 trans. I am hoping to stay with the Hydroboost brake system. I might have to fabricate a bracket for the pump. I hear it is better than the vacuum booster type. I am not worried about the gas mileage dropping with the 454. It is just gonna be a weekend hot rod truck. I would stay with the diesel if I was going to drive it as transportation. I chose it because diesels don't need a smog check here in CA. So I can build a high performance gas engine for it and just keep it registered as a diesel. I am going with a dual 3 inch custom exhaust system with Flowmasters. You guys are all great. Thank you so much for all the help. God Bless.

 

I forgot to add that my truck is a 3/4 Ton. It is a 1984 Chevy C20 3/4 ton longbed 2WD standard cab Scottsdale. It has power windows, locks, Air Cond, tilt, cruise and dual tanks. I just bought a tonneau cover for it. I will post some pics when I get it finished. Thanks again Diesel heads.

:ro) :ro) :ro)

 

:rant:
Ahh... a loophole in the oppressive CARB smog check rules!! Serves them smog-nazis right. We don't have smog checks here in Indiana, and it still feels odd, even if I havent lived in CA for over 6 yrs now. Not that smog checks are a bad thing, its just those CA beaurocrats (and elected reps too) are way too high on MTBE or something...

I'm still ticked at them for charging me $300 to bring my stock '94 Amigo (my then daily driver, bought in NH) into the state just because it didnt have the "CA smog certified" sticker on it, even though it passed all the checks without a problem... (the rule was later repealed by the CA Supereme Court and I later got a refund + a wee bit of interest)

Dont forget to put up a notice in the classified section on this forum for the blown 6.2L engine; somebody would probably want it for a rebuilt project. :ro)

 

sblair,

I am going to keep the whole engine together for now. I am going to try to sell it as a complete package. Sorry I can sell parts to you. I am going way over budget on this 454 and need all the funds I can get. Thank you for all your advice and help. vbmenu_register("postmenu_1027405", true);

 

very disapointing...

the truth is, you haters out there should just hush up. and the only reason I word it that way is because I know I'd be censored if I said what I wanted to. asside from the economy factor, lets look at these other substantial points of mention.

Our little oil burners are basically as inconvenient as any other "exotic" car. and, if you want proof, go to a parts store and ask for any year water pump for a 454. then ask for a starter, then a brake part (any) and then maybe a fuel filter...the list goes on and on. I just got abused in the wallet for a "fan clutch assembly" that I could bolt my fan to.

what this all is at the age of our trucks is what you would call a "nickle and dimin MoFo"

Honestly, if we could all wander back in time and take all the money that was falling out of our rears and buy 1 6.2 truck and 1 350 truck from any year, guess which one would cost us more. (fuel not being a factor)

then again, its always great to go 20 or 30 or 60 miles out of your way to find diesel oil on a trip.

these trucks work for those of us who want them to work for us. my 6.2 is starting to die and I'm not going to put another dime into it asside from oil changes.

any gas motor is a good idea if your gettin by. if your buyin new or totally restoring things, then ya do what ya want.

take care. build a toy if you want a toy though.

 

One thing I have noticed...in 40 years of driving Chevys...gas and diesel. Usually...when a gas motor gets ready to die and strand your but...you get a little warning....stalling, stumbling, missing....hard to start... My diesel experience is that things sometimes fail...with no warning...and is cost some money to get back on...maybe I just don't have the "experience" yet...but that's my final thoughts on this subject.