6.5 Newbie

[red]

shouldn't have to worry about raising your drivetrain then, skidplates for the fuel tanks but otherwise your underside should be good.

check out ksl.com in your motor search, it mostly covers utah but has some things pop up in idaho classifieds as well.

Oh also forgot to mention finding a np241 thats a passenger side drop can be difficult, was not a common t-case. Consider a np205 with the 6 bolt round pattern and a 32 spline input shaft, more common and much, much stronger.

 

[wyattearp]

I should have mentioned that I already have the NP241. About 6 years ago I swapped in a SM465 and NP205. The 700R4 was a piece of junk. I took the NP241 out and have carted it around. I still may use my NP205.

Called a couple of the engine machine shops in Boise. That was a disappointment. One shop does no work on diesel motors. Kept on trying to get me to think about a 383 or even a 454. The other shop wanted to tout the virtues of the Cummins. Neither shop would talk about their engine building knowledge or expertise. I still remember my conversation with Bill Heath. Make sure whoever does the work that they stay within the specs. Oh and blueprint and balance.

 

[sshewins]

According to Bruce Malinson, (high performance class 8 diesel semi's) all the new rods are still way out of 'balance', by that he ment none of the big ends, small ends or complete rod itself, are the same. Neither are the pistons. Not entirely critical for our engines that probably most people won't go over or near 3000 rpm's, but it will help sowme.

Also, when doing your build, your heads will most likely need rebuilding. The deck surface will more than likely need to be milled. This is an area for a little debate. Normally, milling the head is no big deal, but we have precups. These little buggers will tear the milling machine up. So either they have to be ground, or POP out the offending pc's, mill the head, and then see how far out the pc's stick past the surface. Not entirely sure, but supposedly, its ok for the pc to protrude .002 (or so). So do a little research in this area.

 

[wyattearp]

Pictures

The frame was painted this past weekend. I thought I would share a few pictures.

 

[red]

very nice, lucky you already have a shop big enough to fit the entire rig in (i'm working on that).

will you be boxing the frame?

 

[wyattearp]

No. The 1 Ton frame is stronger than the 1/2t or 3/4t frames. Besides this frame survived United Pacific abuse on the railroad tracks.

Now it is time to get the suspension done.

I am also looking for a good engine machine shop in the Boise area. I emailed Patric Crow and he gave me a lead on one. I will be visiting him on Tuesday.

 

[deejaaa]

what did you use to coat the frame? looks real good.

 

[wyattearp]

I use Eastwood's Epoxy Primer and their Ceramic Black Chassis Black. Two coats of primer and three coats of black.

 

[wyattearp]

Putting the ideas together on my engine build. This past week I found a short block sitting in a machine shop in the Boise area. Crack free!!. The deck has been milled/lightly touched...supposedly. I need to check that out and make sure pistons are sticking out of the holes. Missy has been a great deal of help. I will run a Scat crank with later model stock pistons (20.2:1 CR) and with a thicker head gasket from Felpro my final CR should be just under 20:1. Max boost will be 12 - 15 psi.

 

[red]

sounds like a solid start to the project!

 

[ak diesel driver]

if the deck has been milled the thicker gaskets will put you back to stock comp/ratio

 

[dieselfuelonly]

.I will run a Scat crank with later model stock pistons (20.2:1 CR) and with a thicker head gasket from Felpro my final CR should be just under 20:1. Max boost will be 12 - 15 psi.

What year engines ran the 20.2:1 pistons, is that 98 or 99 and later? I know from being released in 1992 that the 6.5 started out at 21.3:1.

 

[wyattearp]

Yes, my understanding is the 98/99 models years dropped the CR to 20.2:1. There were plans to drop it to 19:5:1 but the intro of the Duramax killed that idea.

 

[jhornsby3]

So have you desided on the shop's block or the ted's motor? If you find one from that Utah site let me know and we can do a road trip.

I see you making the rounds.:thumbsup:

You finaly get to slum it up on the hill or did you have to come back to the valley?:09:

 

[wyattearp]

Yeah, Bill Heath told me about this site. I did make it up the hill Wednesday night. Not sure when I will be back down. Maybe the middle of May if my son qualifies for the state track meet.

 

[jhornsby3]

Glad you made it home ok. And is sounds like no lumps from the misses so that's a good thing as well.

Hope he makes it. My boy just made 2nd at regionals so next week is district track meet.

 

[wyattearp]

UPDATE! For those following my indecision and inability to make up my mind between a Cummins 12v and a 6.5L TD, I decided...on a 6.5L. I ordered a 4.56 gear set for the 14 bolt and hopefully in a couple of weeks that will be ready to pick up and then drop off my Dana 60. There is a guy here in McCall that supposedly had a stout 6.5 built for him that is currently not together or I am going to install one of the military take-out motors.

 

[red]

lookin forward to seein this project underway!

 

[jhornsby3]

Keep us posted. I'll help you in any way I can.

 

[jhornsby3]

Brother, this project has been under way for some time now. And poor ol' Peter has been hassled a whole bunch over it. That evil "C" word has been thrown around way to much. I'm glad he desided to NOT drink the Koolaide.:thumbsup: