School Me on Diesels

[79vette]

I have an 82 K5 with a 350/700R4, and I want a diesel. I always wanted a diesel K5, and ended up with mine only because it came along at the right price.

A guy locally has a 6.5 diesel swapped into an 83 3/4 ton Suburban he is parting out, and I am thinking about buying the motor. I know I will need the hydroboost setup (master cylinder and pump), radiator, new oil cooler lines, new torque converter, and maybe glow plug controller and gauges. Although I am fine with a relay and switch for the plugs and keeping my stock gauges, so the last 2 might not be necessary. Anything else needed?

If the motor wont run, what can I look at to help determine if it is worth anything? Any checks other than a compression test? I know SBC motors, but diesels will be a new deal for me.

Motor does not run, supposedly the lift pump is bad. I am going to bring a lift pump and battery when I go to look at it, and see if I can get it to run. If it doesnt run (ie assuming the motor is a rebuild-able core), what do you think is a fair price for a complete diesel swap (motor, radiator, hydroboost, maybe glow plug card and gauges)? Do I want to mess around with getting the used torque converter, or is it better to buy new?

I know injector pumps are pricey and are a failure point, and 6.2/6.5 parts in general are more expensive than SBC parts. I know they are slow and lots of people hate them, but I really want one. I just want to buy one that doesnt suck and I want to pay a fair price for it. Can anyone give me some tips?