QuestionI have a 82 GMC k1500 6.2L diesel 4x4. People have been telling me to get rid of it. I put over 1500$ into it since i bought it last year including brakes, all new body, tires, tie rod ends. And it still needs more. I am told that the 6.2L is a bad engine and that ill have alot of problems with it. It has arround 270,000kms on it and was used as a plow truck for 1 winter. I live in canada. Im worried that what people are saying is correct that ill have alot of problems with it. I want to use it in the bush aswell but im not sure if i should try to sell it and take the loss or finish the truck.. Some also said take out the engine and put a 350 in it..What do you think about the 6.2L?
Thanks
AnswerI just spent $1,300.00 to buy a new 6.2 short block (GM crate motor) that I did not really need. I will build a motor as a family project to replace the 6.2 in my 84 K-2500.
Sorry, but I am biased in favor of the 6.2 because mine have never let me down.
My first one, an 83 G-20, had 380,000 km on it when I bought it. I attached a trailer that weighed nealry as much as the van, loaded the van completely, and drove it from Seattle to New Orleans. I still have the van and it now has a crate short block engine in it. It gets 8.3 km per liter of fuel around town and more on the highway. With a 350 in it, the fuel economy would be half or less.
Right after I bought the K-2500, with 160,000 km on it, I used it to tow a trailer from California to Alabama. 33 hours, non-stop, except for fuel. No problems with the vehicle.
The parts you describe as replacing have nothing to do with the engine and would likely be required for any 23 year old truck. I have replaced all the bushings in my G-20 and K-2500 and all the steering parts on the G-20.
The biggest issues with the 6.2s are making sure that the glow plug systems operates correctly, changing fuel and air filters on a regular basis, changing the oil and oil filter regularly, and buying good fuel. Do not allow the engine to overheat and it will last a long time.
