6.2l nv3500 into a swb k10 AM I CRAZY?

[dieselattempter]

so i have purchased my first chevy, 1986 k10 swb 400ci quadrajet 700r4 3.72 12 bolt rolling on 33x10.5 ($800). previous owner gave me another front diff with purchase, i figured out later b/c he had swapped the rear and left the front axle mismatched. he also told me that it was a 350. ran the numbers found out that it was a 1978 400ci. nice truck and all but i perfer diesel, especially idi diesel, for economy and waste oil potential.

i found a 1983 GMC 1500 2wd 6.2l with 63,000 original miles for cheep ($700) so i bought it. what i want to do is swap engines and sell the gmc to make some of my money back.

i know the motor mounts and bolt pattern for the trans are the same, they both have solid true dual exhaust. a good start to a project pile up.

then while cruising craigslist i found a nv3500 5 speed trans that was close and was able to trade for it.

now i am looking to make the 86 a 6.2l 5 speed 4x4.

i can will probably get a new flywheel and clutch b/c used ones are hard to come by/trust. but i am wondering about things like the starter and if the crank on the 6.2 has a hole for a pilot bearing? drive shaft lengths? fuel systems?

i plan on taking the sound deadening material and transplanting it as well as the diesel dash.

am i missing anything? has anyone ran this combo? etc etc

ps i know some think the 6.2l is gutless and bound to blow up. my daily driver at the moment is a 86 vw jetta 1.6l na diesel, thats gutless!

[rcbildr]

The crank should have the hole for the pilot bearing, the 6.2 in my 85 burb had it and I switched it from a 700R4 to an SM-465. I think one problem you might run in to is with the flywheel...IIRC the clutch/flywheel combo I bought for my diesel ended having a 12" clutch where most gas setups are for an 10 or 11 inch clutch...somebody correct me if I'm wrong. You will need a starter specifically for a diesel and make sure you tell them its for a manual trans.

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by rcbildr

IIRC the clutch/flywheel combo I bought for my diesel ended having a 12" clutch where most gas setups are for an 10 or 11 inch clutch...somebody correct me if I'm wrong. You will need a starter specifically for a diesel and make sure you tell them its for a manual trans.

Good info on the clutch, needed that. I've got a new gear reduction starter, hope it will work with a flywheel.

[86c20]

yes the straters are diff then the gassers. and i do think that the diesel clutch is 12 inch not 10 like ont the gas.

is the nv a chevy one or a dodge one?
drive shafts are ez just get new ones made to your langth.
as far as the fuel sustems go swap everthing. tank filler filter ect

[hatzie]

That 86 Jetta 1.6NA Diesel will get perkier if you ditch the toilet bowel exhaust manifold and headpipe. Use the pre 1980 A1 gas or diesel 6 bolt manifold. It's as good as a set of headers with the right headpipe.

Now back to GM trucks...
The NV3500 is rated for 300ft-lb of torque. If you don't exceed that it'll be just fine.
The Bellhousing is part of the transmission case so make sure it's from a 4.3L V6 or V8.
You'll need 85-91 hydraulic clutch pedals and clutch Master cylinder.
You'll also need to make a crossbreed hydraulic line to the slave cylinder.

[68Timber]

Sounds like a cool project.

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by hatzie

That 86 Jetta 1.6NA Diesel will get perkier if you ditch the toilet bowel exhaust manifold and headpipe. Use the pre 1980 A1 gas or diesel 6 bolt manifold. It's as good as a set of headers with the right headpipe.

Now back to GM trucks...
The NV3500 is rated for 300ft-lb of torque. If you don't exceed that it'll be just fine.
The Bellhousing is part of the transmission case so make sure it's from a 4.3L V6 or V8.
You'll need 85-91 hydraulic clutch pedals and clutch Master cylinder.
You'll also need to make a crossbreed hydraulic line to the slave cylinder.

300ft-lb of torque is easy to exceed with these engines with some very basic modifications.

[86c20]

Originally Posted by Edahall

300ft-lb of torque is easy to exceed with these engines with some very basic modifications.

what would that be? i would love a bit more out of my 6.2

[Edahall]

Originally Posted by 86c20

what would that be? i would love a bit more out of my 6.2

1. Free flowing exhaust. The bigger the better but dual 2.5" or a 3" super single works good. Also chose a good free flowing muffler such as Donaldson.

2. J code intake.

3. Turn up the pump

4. Install larger precombusion chambers in existing heads or install 6.5L heads with the larger chambers

5. Exhaust headers

6. Timing gear drive

7. Port and polish heads

Doing all of the above improves power significantly and best of all, increases fuel economy.

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Edahall

300ft-lb of torque is easy to exceed with these engines with some very basic modifications.

That's why I posted that number. It's always a good idea to know the component limits. Not everyone is going to bump up the HP. If he's running a stock 6.2 and wants an overdrive stick the NV3500 is plentiful and reasonably priced.