Is a 96 6.5L really that bad?

[GM Guy]

I am looking at a 96 C2500 (HD) 6.5L f-code NV4500 2wd ECLB hand crank rubber floor (hand cranks, manual, 2wd, is it a dream? :rolleyes5 and looked up the VIN on Compnine and it said it was built 3-27-96.

What exactly was wrong with 96? Was there problems with blocks in 96? I do remember 96 being mentioned as a bad year somewhere on the Forum.

 

[ak diesel driver]

My 96 is all original except for the mods in my sig, 221k. There were a couyple of changes that happened mid yr from my understanding. 1 being dual t-stats. 2 being a block change. I would think that mine has both but never investigated the block.

 

[Gunner0812]

My 96 has the single t stat. Good truck no real problems just the usal pmd pita.

 

[Paveltolz]

I love mine. Some general maint. is all I've done, along with the PMD Gunner mentions but my replacement was just preventative maint. Only real issues were suspension and Previous Owner un-screwing but truthfully, nothing with the engine.

 

[Pillow]

Mine is all original motor as well. Dual t-stats. 3/8 oil cooler line fittings (newer blocks are 1/2). I cannot complain.

... I think a lot of it is luck of the draw on the iron casting.

Sounds like my kinda truck! Rubber mats and manual everything!

 

[iamdave0887]

I love my 96. I've worked it hard and beat on it and it's always been good to me.

I really don't think there was anything wrong with the 96's. 97 was the first year of the 506 block IIRC.

 

[GM Guy]

Thanks for the input!

For $2,000 , I think it is probably worth doing. I am trying to hold out for a CCLB diesel 5spd 2wd GM truck from 95-2005 that is cheap, but i doubt that will happen (no hits on autotrader since the 02 Duramax ZF6 2wd for $7K, and no ebay hits either), so I think this is the next best thing.

Actually has good condition white paint as well, which is suprising on a rig of this vintage.

 

[Brooklyn Tow]

96 was a good year...97-99 had all the troubles, IMHO.