Well, the 6.5 in my '93 3500HD finally bought the farm, but my shop is probably another 6-12 months away from being done. That means the Cummins swap will have to wait. In the mean time, I can either sell the truck as is and take a pretty big loss, or put another motor in it. So that got me thinking, would it worth swapping in a cheap 350 until I get my shop built and can afford the Cummins swap? I can get running TBI 350s for under $500 around here pretty easily.

If so, would a 350 bolt right in? I know it will bolt to the 4L80E just fine, but would it use the same motor mounts the 6.5 did? Assuming I go with a TBI 350, how big of a pain is the wiring going to be converting from diesel to gas?

Since it would be a short term swap, I guess running a carbed 350 would also be an option. That would obviously make the wiring much simpler.

I dont think using the 350 is a good idea. Think about the PIA of alll the wiring issues you will deal with.

If you don't feel like doing the cummins swap w/o a shop then I'd say go with the carbed 350 to avoid the wiring crap, most likely if you get a half way decent deal on it you can run it for the 6-12 months you need and pull it out and sell it for what you paid.

There have been a few 6.5L TD's listed locally on Craigslist for $800-1500. Typically they have 100-120k miles on 'em. Not too bad.

I did the reverse put a 93 6.5 in a 97 2500HD. Diesel torque converter will need to be changed, as well as the shift points. Will have to chage tack signal, 6.5 runs off the alternator. Fuel tank issues. wiring should not be to hard. I am running the Compushift tranny computer so it took care of most of the gauges. H2o, volt, battery, and oil pressure are all on the factory ones. I would look for a running 93 and pull the motor, would be way simpler. Dont think you would be happy with any gas motor.

Well, the 6.5 in my '93 3500HD finally bought the farm, but my shop is probably another 6-12 months away from being done. That means the Cummins swap will have to wait. In the mean time, I can either sell the truck as is and take a pretty big loss, or put another motor in it. So that got me thinking, would it worth swapping in a cheap 350 until I get my shop built and can afford the Cummins swap? I can get running TBI 350s for under $500 around here pretty easily.


if you are willing to sell it why not just keep it stored out back for 6 mo? Just put some good diesel fuel additive in there and fill it up with quality fuel. If need be drain it every other month. I wouldn't give up a truck like that, if it's in good shape, just because it'll take 6 mo to a year to get the swap done.

There have been a few 6.5L TD's listed locally on Craigslist for $800-1500. Typically they have 100-120k miles on 'em. Not too bad.

I will NEVER own anything with a 6.5 again. Mine had 85,000 miles and it popped under daily driving with no load.

So even with a carbed 350, I'd need a stand alone transmission controller?

Doing any swap is a PITA and probably cost way more than a used 6.5


What "poped" in yours? Most of the issues with those are injector pumps and head gaskets. I know more than one person who bought a 6.2/6.5 that was blown and fixed it with a pump or gaskets.

Severe knock in the bottom end as far as we can tell. Was driving it home across town last week when it randomly lost oil pressure and started knocking and smoking. It still runs, but now it is missing, and the knock keeps getting worse, as does the smoking. I wouldn't trust it going up my street and back, so I consider it as good as blown.

I have it on Craigslist for $1495, but if it doesnt sell I may just sit on it until the shop is built and do the Cummins swap then.

You could swap in another 6.5 and run it for a few months, then sell it when you're ready for the Cummins swap. You could sell the engine for what you paid, and only be in it for the time to R&R.

That would require putting trust in another 6.5. Who's to say it would last me until the Cummins swap.

I'm probably just going to let it sit and then do the Cummins swap once the shop is built.

Would a 6.2 from a M1009 work?

my 98 6.5 cc 3500 has 215,000 on it and just cracked the pmd two weeks ago.

if I had $1500 i'd be all over your truck like a fat kid on a donut.

actually, if you're getting rid of the motor, want to sell me the PMD off the injector pump? :D

if you just want to sell it, I'd put it on http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=92

there are a few other diesel sites as well where 6.5 guys would buy it if the body is in good shape.

my 98 6.5 cc 3500 has 215,000 on it and just cracked the pmd two weeks ago.

if I had $1500 i'd be all over your truck like a fat kid on a donut.

actually, if you're getting rid of the motor, want to sell me the PMD off the injector pump? :D

if you just want to sell it, I'd put it on http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=92

there are a few other diesel sites as well where 6.5 guys would buy it if the body is in good shape.

I've posted over there a few times. I actually posted there to see if the 6.2 would work in place of the 6.5.

Mine is a 93, so it is mechanical injection, thus no PMD.

If the 6.2 won't work then I'll probably have to drop the price to ~$1300 to get it sold around here.

the 6.2 will bolt in and work. The timing cover and chain setup will have to be changed to work with the electronics of the pump and tranny. Turbo will work also.

Will any year of the 6.2 work? I thought a guy on another board told me only a 91-93 block would work.

I assume you are talking about the injection pump electronics. Mine is mechanically injected, so I have no electronics there. I have been told I need the trottle position sensor and oil pump drive sensor to make the tranny work.

If I can't get this thing sold as is I just want to put something in quickly and cheaply. 6.5s are hard to find around here for less than a grand, but 6.2s are fairly common for under $500.

Check out the Diesel Place There is a lot of knowledge over there

I know a 6.2 Will work I am not sure what would need to be changed though
6.5 has shorter injectors and most 6.2's are V belt

sorry I was thinking about the 94 and up trucks. The 6.2 from 84 and up will work with your parts. Just need to hook up the tps from your engine. Flywheel will bolt up as will all accessories. The 82-83 engines will work if you change out the heads.

Check out the Diesel Place There is a lot of knowledge over there

I know a 6.2 Will work I am not sure what would need to be changed though
6.5 has shorter injectors and most 6.2's are V belt

I've got posts up on the 3 main 6.5 message boards. Just trying to collect as much knowledge as possible.

If all goes well I will sell the truck as is for about $1300 and not have to deal with any of it. but if the motor is scaring people off I want to know what problems to expect swapping the 6.5 out for a 6.2. I don't care what will work from one motor to another since I would be swapping a complete running 6.2 in. I just need to know what is required to make it work.

I hear the 6.2 is a great little motor, most actually swap over the intake, exhaust and turbo from a 6.5 to help give the 6.2 a little umph... I have no idea on the details though.

Personally I would pick up one of those cheap portable garages for a couple hundred bucks and get started on the cummins swap immediately... I did everything in my driveway with no shelter for the past 6 years until got the new shop built last December:flipoff2:

on a side note, I actually just bought a '96 3500HD "rolling chassis" and can't wait to get started on my new build... going small block 350 for now until the 454 is ready!