I absolutely love these trucks. Not as powerful as the rest, but it's got character. And as for being quieter, the exhaust is. But my Lord, is the underhood noise extremely loud. But again, I love it
My 6.5 is one of the diesels that competes with the noise my 7.3 powerstroke makes underhood haha well till a couple weeks ago when my starter bolts broke
I had a 96 3500HD work truck and that thing loved to go through injector pumps. Lots of smoke and no power made for great times. Other than that, though, it never gave is any trouble. It always had a 6000# trailer on it and that trailer usually had a lot of weight on it.
This is my idea of what a turbo diesel engine should be. It may not be a Duramax Turbo Diesel, but given its indirect injection, I would think it'd be relatively simple to service compared to the later Duramax.
Imagine considering IDI an "advantage" and only because of noise. Cummins and Powerstroke were well ahead of the GM boys until the Isuzu partnership and the birth of the Duramax was much welcomed in 2001.
if this was 1997 going by this vidio i would never think of broken cranks or pmd issues,,,this is why i buy 20 year old trucks and not new ones,,,we can find out whats junk,,,remeber the 5.7 diesel,,,gm would give free replament gas engine and your truck was worth nothing,,,i have two 6.2 and one 6.5 and love them as i bought them cheap
They are, I had 7.3s, total overrated junk, still have my 6.5s 300k, 7.3 long gone due to cracked pistons, bad injectors, overheating, all at 85k, soyes, 25 years later, still driving 6.5s
It was absolutely a competitor to both of those. Was it as tunable? Definitely not, but if you’re comparing apples to apples, i.e. stock to stock, it was absolutely comparable to and competitive with both of those engines back in the day.
Although I've never driven a 6.5 litre Turbo Diesel powered GMC or Chevy truck, I remember when the Chevy and GMC trucks looked like those in this video.
i have the exact truck in the pull test. 97 ck2500 i got used back in 2015. it's still a great truck. It's simple and like most older GM vehicles and engines, the parts are plenty still available.
Did this dude just claim that the 6.5 and its indirect injection was quiet cause mine sure as heck is not a quiet engine these old engines are one of the most clickity clackity diesels
@@bluecollartradesman715 I dunno the 12v cummins i got are not that loud in the engine bay granted single shot injectors in the first power strokes are the clickity clacky masters
Dual thermos are a nightmare. They still got to high of drive pressure with the turbo. The injection pump modual was not a sufficient fix. The glowplugs still go at random... I own a 6.5
@@highball7347 Poor maintenance is the most common cause of issues. Folks drive them too long before servicing them and when they fail, they blame the equipment. The US Military would not have chosen unreliable engines for their extreme services during war.
@@nou8257 with square bodies, you could get a short bed single cab 454 and a diesel. They used to not care, just happy you were giving them money for a product.
It's very interesting how reliability and being over/underbuilt can completely flip the script. The way they advertise this you'd think it's better in every way than the competitors. However time showed this was not the case. Despite the stock to stock comparisons, nowadays this engine was seen as the lowest power, most unreliable, and least desirable option because the competitors were overbuilt and a few mods brought the horsepower and torque to crazy numbers all while making hundreds and hundreds of thousands of miles whereas this engine would fail at 1-200k. Additionally you couldn't really mod these at all without doing damage and there were other issues like the cranks splitting in half if the harmonic balancer goes bad. It went from being the highest power option, to a low powered short lifespan pig, since it there was just no margin built into the engine it was already at it's peak whereas a cummins or powerstroke was just getting started in the stock configuration. These are pretty undesirable engines. However the one thing they still win on is fuel economy, the difference in mileage is crazy.
Crank Balancers were often overlooked, and considered a wear-item. Lots of ruined engines because of this. Along with other Cooling Issues. Modern Aftermarket support has helped solved these problems
I've owned 4 of these trucks 3 98 models and currently drive 2000 k3500 4x4 it just rolled over 299000 all I've ever done to all them is located the pmd in bumper oil changes 2500 miles and only 1 injection pump on the 98 model! Always used gm parts and rotella t 1540 keep the harmonic balancer changed every 75000 miles! These are great engines just do a little extra maintenance they will last 400000 miles!!!
It's nice to see these trucks when they were new, but my goodness the presenters are annoying. It's better if they are straight and to the point. Maybe if the presenters were British with wit and sarcasm, it would be less cringy.
I own a 95 k2500 with that 6.5td, thing wont go over a 100 but that thing will push a 89 honda sideways in 4x4low on idle, that and it isn't the worst on mpg
Wrong. There is a huge military following and a big marine (boats) following with this engine. The marine industry will tell you that 2500 to 3000 rpm is where you set it at. Very fuel efficient engine. And it's still in production today by AM General.
The 6.5L diesel is good engine like marine boats, military vehicles AM General, and in GM Trucks for fuel economy but not for towing. I do have 94 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 6.5L, I Am using for family use going out to movie, trip, camping and etc because it saves me money because of fuel economy. I am been driving it for long, this engine never give me any problem.
Mine is over 3000 occasionally. It's 210 degrees of coolant temperature that is the common threshold that the forums say to not exceed. Never seen this 2200 rpm thought before.
@@rock-uu7qr I love the 6.0 ford especially the 2003. My 6.5 has required all the same maintenance, however my 6.0 has almost twice the HP and Speed and towing capacity. My 6.5 GMC has a great 4x4 the only advantage I find over the two vehicle.
@@rock-uu7qr sorry you misunderstood, I’m speaking from experience my 6.5 is a marine engine 2002 and my 6.0 is a 2003 although I had a 98 Hummer with a 6.5 and don’t get me started on that lol
That title either belongs to the 5.7 olds or the 6.4 powerstroke. 6.5 is about like the 6.0. neglect and owners who don't operate them correctly are their biggest enemy. Still cheaper to repair than their successor, and in a better build quality truck than their successor as well. So not the best, but not the worst either.
I absolutely love these trucks. Not as powerful as the rest, but it's got character. And as for being quieter, the exhaust is. But my Lord, is the underhood noise extremely loud. But again, I love it
My 6.5 is one of the diesels that competes with the noise my 7.3 powerstroke makes underhood haha well till a couple weeks ago when my starter bolts broke
ok guys ... don't forget EVERY 30 SECONDS *zoom* *in* and *TWIST* the camera!!!
Haaaaaah🤣🤣🤣
Got me seasick everytime🤢
That's the 90's!!!
I miss how cheesy things were in the 90s, it was still a care free time.
Say something some small BS
Some of the first fake news anchors lol
I have a 1972 chevy c30 I put a 6.2 diesel in works great,I have a 1999 chevy I'm putting a 6.5 diesel in it right now.
These trucks are sponsored by Bob Seger.
I had a 96 3500HD work truck and that thing loved to go through injector pumps. Lots of smoke and no power made for great times. Other than that, though, it never gave is any trouble. It always had a 6000# trailer on it and that trailer usually had a lot of weight on it.
This is my idea of what a turbo diesel engine should be. It may not be a Duramax Turbo Diesel, but given its indirect injection, I would think it'd be relatively simple to service compared to the later Duramax.
Imagine considering IDI an "advantage" and only because of noise. Cummins and Powerstroke were well ahead of the GM boys until the Isuzu partnership and the birth of the Duramax was much welcomed in 2001.
that 6.5 c1500 is a very rare truck
Haven’t found one yet ur definitely right
I just got one today 220k miles engine is clean
if this was 1997 going by this vidio i would never think of broken cranks or pmd issues,,,this is why i buy 20 year old trucks and not new ones,,,we can find out whats junk,,,remeber the 5.7 diesel,,,gm would give free replament gas engine and your truck was worth nothing,,,i have two 6.2 and one 6.5 and love them as i bought them cheap
To think, GM actually thought the 6.5 was an actual competitor to the 7.3 PS or 5.9 Cummins. Hehe. Time always tells.
Well did you really expect them to advertise the PS or Cummins as a superior product? 🤷
@@bluecollartradesman715 True, but it's still funny watching it today.
they all are in the 40pound torque difference/range cummins even has less horsepower im pretty sure these just cant be as clapped out as easy
They are, I had 7.3s, total overrated junk, still have my 6.5s 300k, 7.3 long gone due to cracked pistons, bad injectors, overheating, all at 85k, soyes, 25 years later, still driving 6.5s
It was absolutely a competitor to both of those. Was it as tunable? Definitely not, but if you’re comparing apples to apples, i.e. stock to stock, it was absolutely comparable to and competitive with both of those engines back in the day.
Although I've never driven a 6.5 litre Turbo Diesel powered GMC or Chevy truck, I remember when the Chevy and GMC trucks looked like those in this video.
I have one of these trucks, despite it being relay rushed and abused it runs like a top
i have the exact truck in the pull test. 97 ck2500 i got used back in 2015. it's still a great truck. It's simple and like most older GM vehicles and engines, the parts are plenty still available.
Did this dude just claim that the 6.5 and its indirect injection was quiet cause mine sure as heck is not a quiet engine these old engines are one of the most clickity clackity diesels
At the time it was quite. Especially when compared to the Cummins and Power Stroke.
@@bluecollartradesman715 I dunno the 12v cummins i got are not that loud in the engine bay granted single shot injectors in the first power strokes are the clickity clacky masters
@@nou8257 The Cummins has a very distinct screech when you shut it off.
@@bluecollartradesman715 yeah that's the belt haha the compression stops the engine so fast the belt screeches
Dual thermos are a nightmare. They still got to high of drive pressure with the turbo. The injection pump modual was not a sufficient fix. The glowplugs still go at random... I own a 6.5
@@highball7347
Poor maintenance is the most common cause of issues. Folks drive them too long before servicing them and when they fail, they blame the equipment. The US Military would not have chosen unreliable engines for their extreme services during war.
I am a GM guy but good lord this is indeed hilarious...
Wish they'd offered it with a short bed, single cab. Wouldn't have sold many, but it wouldn't cost them anything extra to build.
Im decently sure I've seen a 4wd reg cab shortbed on youtube with a 6.5
Buy a short bed single cab and swap the gas engine for the diesel.
@@nou8257 with square bodies, you could get a short bed single cab 454 and a diesel. They used to not care, just happy you were giving them money for a product.
@@superduty4556 haha yeah now its practically just them ripping your arm off and stomping on it while acting like they are doing you a favor
@@nou8257 No, U! No!
I drive my 6.5 for leisure, I drive my 7.3 to get er done,
The 454 is better for hauling then the 6.5
It's very interesting how reliability and being over/underbuilt can completely flip the script. The way they advertise this you'd think it's better in every way than the competitors. However time showed this was not the case. Despite the stock to stock comparisons, nowadays this engine was seen as the lowest power, most unreliable, and least desirable option because the competitors were overbuilt and a few mods brought the horsepower and torque to crazy numbers all while making hundreds and hundreds of thousands of miles whereas this engine would fail at 1-200k. Additionally you couldn't really mod these at all without doing damage and there were other issues like the cranks splitting in half if the harmonic balancer goes bad. It went from being the highest power option, to a low powered short lifespan pig, since it there was just no margin built into the engine it was already at it's peak whereas a cummins or powerstroke was just getting started in the stock configuration.
These are pretty undesirable engines. However the one thing they still win on is fuel economy, the difference in mileage is crazy.
Ran a small fleet of 93-96 HD3500 6.5 manuals. All of them broke crankshafts.
Shoulda told your employees not to rev ‘em up and dump da clutch on da REGULAR!!!
Crank Balancers were often overlooked, and considered a wear-item. Lots of ruined engines because of this. Along with other Cooling Issues. Modern Aftermarket support has helped solved these problems
Thanks so much for sharing!!
You bet!
I love this video!!!!
Lied in the first 60 swconds Reliability endurance power 😂😂
It was actually pretty damn reliable once you do couple things
@@freedomlawnservice1987 tell that to mine , ik tired of towing them home
I've owned 4 of these trucks 3 98 models and currently drive 2000 k3500 4x4 it just rolled over 299000 all I've ever done to all them is located the pmd in bumper oil changes 2500 miles and only 1 injection pump on the 98 model! Always used gm parts and rotella t 1540 keep the harmonic balancer changed every 75000 miles! These are great engines just do a little extra maintenance they will last 400000 miles!!!
@@brianb7556 Well it's almost 30 years old...Try owning a 6.0 or 6.4 Powerstroke.
@@brianb7556 what failure ate you experiencing?
Cummins 12 valve still in victory
The fake news desk set up is hilarious
3:27 no they were not.
It's nice to see these trucks when they were new, but my goodness the presenters are annoying. It's better if they are straight and to the point. Maybe if the presenters were British with wit and sarcasm, it would be less cringy.
I own a 95 k2500 with that 6.5td, thing wont go over a 100 but that thing will push a 89 honda sideways in 4x4low on idle, that and it isn't the worst on mpg
At least they're cheap to fix.
It’s hilarious that they put oil jets in to cool the pistons when ford and Cummins done this in the 80s 😂
Yeah all the ford idi diesels had cooling jets in em broh
@John Stone it's just a standard diesel design
6.0 and 6.4 powerstroke has entered the chat.
Mercedes was doing this in the 70s!
Also their is a community of lovers of this engine and they will tell you anything over 2200rpm is a bad idea.
Wrong. There is a huge military following and a big marine (boats) following with this engine. The marine industry will tell you that 2500 to 3000 rpm is where you set it at. Very fuel efficient engine. And it's still in production today by AM General.
@@bluecollartradesman715 The military always contracts to The Lowest Bidder 🤣😂. I have 2 suburbans both 6.5TD..
The 6.5L diesel is good engine like marine boats, military vehicles AM General, and in GM Trucks for fuel economy but not for towing. I do have 94 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 6.5L, I Am using for family use going out to movie, trip, camping and etc because it saves me money because of fuel economy. I am been driving it for long, this engine never give me any problem.
Mine is over 3000 occasionally.
It's 210 degrees of coolant temperature that is the common threshold that the forums say to not exceed.
Never seen this 2200 rpm thought before.
454 Vortec is better for towing than the 6.5
454 Vortec, I race Porches!
True but it consume way more fuel ....empties the wallet in a hurry lol...back then diesel was way cheaper than gas
What an absolute load of bullshit, better than a 7.3 or a 5.9 my ass
Plot Twist, Worst Diesel Engine Ever Built !!! Amazing How Wrong All of These People Were. #777Slots
That is the 6.0
@@rock-uu7qr I love the 6.0 ford especially the 2003. My 6.5 has required all the same maintenance, however my 6.0 has almost twice the HP and Speed and towing capacity. My 6.5 GMC has a great 4x4 the only advantage I find over the two vehicle.
@@777Slots Yea you are comparing a diesel from 2007 to a diesel from early to late 90s
@@rock-uu7qr sorry you misunderstood, I’m speaking from experience my 6.5 is a marine engine 2002 and my 6.0 is a 2003 although I had a 98 Hummer with a 6.5 and don’t get me started on that lol
That title either belongs to the 5.7 olds or the 6.4 powerstroke.
6.5 is about like the 6.0. neglect and owners who don't operate them correctly are their biggest enemy.
Still cheaper to repair than their successor, and in a better build quality truck than their successor as well.
So not the best, but not the worst either.