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My New (To me) Hummer take out, courtesy of Ted's Trucks 'n Stuff.

OrionThade said:
Also, to my knowledge, the Optimizer engines do not have issues with webs cracking. Or at least I haven't run across it, yet.
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I dunno about that, I've seen one locally with a cracked cap register.

Well, it was a 2004 buy the date code.

Optimizer (IE: GEP) ?

Dunno, but it have the navi diamonds in the valley.

It also had a cracked #7 cylinder wall at the fire deck.

Just sayin.

It's actually got thinking about a 12V swap again and just dealing with the front end issues from the added weight.....
 
great white said:
I dunno about that, I've seen one locally with a cracked cap register.

Well, it was a 2004 buy the date code.

Optimizer (IE: GEP) ?

Dunno, but it have the navi diamonds in the valley.

It also had a cracked #7 cylinder wall at the fire deck.

Just sayin.

It's actually got thinking about a 12V swap again and just dealing with the front end issues from the added weight.....
Click to expand...

My understanding is that after 2001, they were all AM General Optimizers. But I could be wrong.
 
I wouldn't say they WON'T crack, I mean anything cracks if it is abused and you don't watch the heat. In a truck that has its balls worked off in stock form and the owner doesn't watch the heat then anything is possible. I do however believe that if someone had guages and watched things he could push more power with less risk of cracking. I wouldn't ever say there is an invincible block. 5.9's can be ran too hot and not be rebuildable, ive seen it...
 
I'm certainly not suggesting that the 6500's can be abused with having issues.

What I'm saying is that the iron composition was changed, IIRC, to make the casting stronger, which was supposed to correct the cracking that the previous generation blocks had.
 
OrionThade said:
I'm certainly not suggesting that the 6500's can be abused with having issues.

What I'm saying is that the iron composition was changed, IIRC, to make the casting stronger, which was supposed to correct the cracking that the previous generation blocks had.
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Supposedly, there was also a bit of a redesign of the block inthe firedeck and main web to go along with the higher moly content casting.

The dead 04 block I've seen came out of a "soccer mom" daily driven H2. I highly
doubt it was abused, those "trucks" live a pretty pampered life.

But, every production run can have few lame ducks. I certainly wouldn't count out the optimizer yet with only 1 report of a cracked block.

If I got "caught out" somewhere needing a quick engine replacement, I'd go for a new optimizer without hesitation.

It would probably be an 18:1 unit though....
 
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Soccer moms don't do maintainence and the ones I know JUST DRIVE put the foot down and GO! But you are very right it could just be a legit faulty block 1 out of 10,000 problem.
 
tanman_2006 said:
Soccer moms don't do maintainence and the ones I know JUST DRIVE put the foot down and GO! But you are very right it could just be a legit faulty block 1 out of 10,000 problem.
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Or start up and drive away as soon as it's running. That killed alot of the olds engines. The military engines also get many 18 and 19 year olds driving them. Need I say more.
 
They also typically dont watch gauges, and think the oil light is OK for a while. Not all women, but a good amount. I even know grown men that are like that.
 
bk95td said:
Or start up and drive away as soon as it's running. That killed alot of the olds engines. The military engines also get many 18 and 19 year olds driving them. Need I say more.
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whew, its a good thing I am 20! :) I wont argue that most of my peers are dumbasses though. :thumbsup:

I will agree though, many of the soccer moms around here (litterally, the soccer field is across the street) just fire up, drop in gear, and hammer down, so I would say that soccer mom used it may not necessarily mean a happy life.. This distinctly reminds me of the you tube video of the soccer mom minivan that had been driven 50K miles without an oil change....
 
20 years ago I was listening to Paul Harvey and he was talking about buying used cars. He said a good way to tell who the previous owner was is to see what channels the radio had in its presets, If it was tuned to rock pretty good chance the rear end or tranny had seen some abuse. On the other hand if it was tuned to a classical music station the oil probably hadn't been changed in 5 years.
 
OK. Been a while since I updated. This project is taking longer than I wanted.

I finished tearing down my 599 block.

I determined that the cause of the knock I was hearing was caused by a one of a couple of pushrods that were installed upside down. Luckily I didn't run the motor long enough to cause any visible damage.

I'm hoping to get the pistons swapped over this weekend.

On another note, I'll likely be re-assembling the 599 shortblock and selling it. If anyone knows anyone that would be interested, let me know.

I also have pics that I need to upload. I'll try and do that tonight.
 
OrionThade said:
OK. Been a while since I updated. This project is taking longer than I wanted.

I finished tearing down my 599 block.

I determined that the cause of the knock I was hearing was caused by a one of a couple of pushrods that were installed upside down. Luckily I didn't run the motor long enough to cause any visible damage.

I'm hoping to get the pistons swapped over this weekend.

On another note, I'll likely be re-assembling the 599 shortblock and selling it. If anyone knows anyone that would be interested, let me know.

I also have pics that I need to upload. I'll try and do that tonight.
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Is that a "Teds" engine also and what kind of condition is it in?.........Just looking at all my options at the moment.....If I buy or replace a powerplant, I NEED something BULLETPROOF!

Any ideas on a number??
 
: Reply to Brooklyn Tow :

I just installed new +.010 head gaskets in my Ted's motor, only because I was putting in ARP studs, but My motor looked brand new under the valve covers and had all the cylinder cross hatching in the bores....
If I had to make a guess, it would be that the only time this motor ever ran, was on the test stand at Ted's where they fire them up to check oil pressure and do all the compression testing.

If you are looking for a much better option over the GM castings, you would be very well suited with one of these International / Military engines, very low mileage engines if any miles on them. Not to mention I think you would be very hard pressed to even rebuild a OEM GM block for the price of getting a Ted's "Optimiser 6500". The Engines from Ted's are far superior to the weak inferior GM block.

As far as bullet proof.... Well, these things aren't Cummins motors or D-Max's..

I had $ 2,050.00 into the purchase of my engine and fuel lines from Ted shipped to a business 1 mile from my house.

Mike
 
NVW said:
The copper colored end goes towards the rockers.
Click to expand...

OK so all I can find is that the copper end is hardened and will wear out. But I don't think it would cause a knock. I have a light knock that I have been chasing. The runs great but there is a solid knocking sound. I have out 6k on it and it has never changed tone or gotten worse. I don't know.
 
Brooklyn Tow said:
Is that a "Teds" engine also and what kind of condition is it in?.........Just looking at all my options at the moment.....If I buy or replace a powerplant, I NEED something BULLETPROOF!

Any ideas on a number??
Click to expand...

I've been admittedly slacking in my updates on this.

I have taken photos but haven't posted them yet.

Yes, this is a take out from Ted's Trucks 'N Stuff. I bought it off ebay but had several conversations with them before making the purchase. While I don't have it installed in the truck yet, I am very pleased with it. There are several other members of both here and the Place that are running them and so far they are bullet proof, it would seem.

At the very least, you're getting an Optimizer with low miles. This means stronger block, stronger heads and stronger crank.

I have the motor just about complete. I just need to put the FFM, manfolds, turbo, starter and oil pressure gauge sender on, then I can drop her in. I haven't driven my truck regularly in 2 years and I'm anxious to get her on the road again.
 
Yeah The blocks and heads are cast beefier, higher nickel content, lower compression ( 20.2 :1 ), forged rods and a nodular iron crank. I've been taking some pictures of mine but have yet to post them also.

Mike
 
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