i would not hesitate to drop a P400 into my 93 (wife might think otherwise) if i needed to. we plan to get a bumper pull 26' and i want it to get me there safe or the wife will be on my a$$. peace of mind plays a big part in "money spent on an old truck" or getting somewhere safe. already have the green light for a few "needed" upgrades.
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Why a 6.5?
- Thread starter Hill Top
- Start date
Yeah "peace of mind" does play a part. I do believe it could really pay off in the long haul. If you think about it, is there any reason if after the normal upgrades and a new P400 engine you couldn't get 500,000 mls of driving with no major repairs? I'd be willing to bet the per mile cost at that point would be way way cheaper than a new or even newer used diesel. I have a friend who just dropped 8500.00 on repairs to his 09 Dodge, an that was with no major engine work! He got 3 estimates and that was by far the best! That's scary to me.
It bugs me to drive something I don't understand. These newer vehicles are such a mass of wires and electronics with engine bays so packed full of crap you can't even get your hand in there if you wanted. Now you have to pull the cab off some just to do some simple maintenance? When I was in high school we swapped engines and tranny's on school evenings under a shade tree. If it broke we fixed it. We often because of lack of funds sneaked into the salvage yard at night to scrounge for parts. Life was simpler then. This old truck links me to that in a way.
Will L.
Well-Known Member
If I knew I was trying for 500,000 from a p400, starting out with all the bearing, cam, crank, lifter, valves, etc coatings that Chris does would sure help it get there.
I would plan on a 250k rering & bearing, valve job, and new IP. You could push it farther before the rebuild, but get it half way and it would have a better chance I think to not need a ton more block/head machine work.
I would plan on a 250k rering & bearing, valve job, and new IP. You could push it farther before the rebuild, but get it half way and it would have a better chance I think to not need a ton more block/head machine work.
I'm at 249,000 now with the factory engine. Engine has never been in to. Runs smooth, doesn't smoke, uses about 1/2 qrt per 3500 mls. So why could you not go twice that far on a better engine? Just normal use no abuse good maintenance. Really doesn't seem unreasonable.
Will L.
Well-Known Member
Ah, I see. Normal use, no abuse. See, thats not what I was expecting. I was expecting "normal abuse".
Not really. The bearings start getting thin around 300,000. Idk how far it could really go being driven nice and easy. I have never seen a ds4 go 500,000, and only a couple db2. Usually 400,000 and head/rotor wear is making for hard hot starts.
To me, I would rather pop new bearings and rings a little le earlier and know that it will make it.
Not really. The bearings start getting thin around 300,000. Idk how far it could really go being driven nice and easy. I have never seen a ds4 go 500,000, and only a couple db2. Usually 400,000 and head/rotor wear is making for hard hot starts.
To me, I would rather pop new bearings and rings a little le earlier and know that it will make it.
I hit 435000 kms (271 000 miles ) on my K2500 and it had some heads rebuilt at 270 000 k's. It was worked hard most of that but got regular oil changes. I sold it last year and still see they new owner bombing around in it. It was a 96 TD. A better built engine could easily surpass that I'm sure.
GM Guy
Manual Trans. 2WD Enthusiast
GM Guy
Manual Trans. 2WD Enthusiast
I think 500K is definitely achievablewith a P400. My 95 had a crate engine at 95K, and no engine since then, and she is sitting at 440K. so about 350K on the second engine.
I blew up my 93 at 280K, my fault, put on a IP and didnt use the Kent Moore J33300 "tach and time" tool that I allready own.
and got her too hot of EGTs pushing a headwind. Two things done wrong, no Pyro, and didnt time it right. My fault, not the 6.5L.
The 94 Project pickup is locked up at around 300K (no idea what, bought it that way), and the 94 burb was doing fine till the PO blew the cooler lines and locked her up at a hair over 300K.
With those kind of miles out of stock GM cast blocks, I think 500K out of a P400 should be doable.
I blew up my 93 at 280K, my fault, put on a IP and didnt use the Kent Moore J33300 "tach and time" tool that I allready own.
and got her too hot of EGTs pushing a headwind. Two things done wrong, no Pyro, and didnt time it right. My fault, not the 6.5L.The 94 Project pickup is locked up at around 300K (no idea what, bought it that way), and the 94 burb was doing fine till the PO blew the cooler lines and locked her up at a hair over 300K.
With those kind of miles out of stock GM cast blocks, I think 500K out of a P400 should be doable.
SnowDrift
Ultra Conservative. ULTRA!
My reason - I had a K1500 with a Vortec 350 that ran well, but had 1/2 ton brakes. I bought a K3500 with a 454 for a chassis swap and decided I really wanted a diesel. Sold both and bought my '95. It's treated me well for about 15 years and I've no idea how much money I've put into it, but not much, aside from maintenance.
Now, I have plenty of power for my needs and plenty of braking power.
Now, I have plenty of power for my needs and plenty of braking power.
Kind of stories I like!
Lol!