Steve K
New Member
Just signed up. I'm a semi-retired caterpillar mech. of over 40 years. I say semi because I still do some engine rebuilds for my former employer, not because I have to, because I want to. I have a 1980 GMC 4x4. I bought it new with a 350 gasser. Diesels weren't available in 4x4's yet then. In 1982 I put a 6.2 in it and a 14 bolt rear diff. Ran that for a number of years till a piston came apart. Pulled that out and installed a 6.5 short block using my 6.2 heads and fuel system. A couple years back I scored a 6.5 turbo with a bad piston. Swapped all the exhaust and intake to my engine and engineered splitting the exhaust after the turbo to 2-3" duals straight to exit. Drive line is thru the original 4 spd. and transfer case with a Gear Vendor over/direct drive gearbox behind it to a 3:73 posi 14 bolt at the rear. (no, you can't run overdrive in 4wd). That's about it, for now. It's no dm but it does ok. I don't have 40k in it either. Sheet metal is starting to show a little age so I guess some body/paint work is in my future.
Be warned by the time we get done helping you you may have $40K in it! Some of us are hardcore certifiable insane over older diesels.
