Does the Ebay truck REALLY NEED cooling upgrades??

[Randee of the Redwoods]

I still haven't determined exactly, but it is looking like I'll need a water pump. The cooling upgrade kit from Kennedy Diesel is $300+, plus the extra cost of gaskets. But do I really need it????? I ask because my truck has spent almost it's entire life in Texas, and I have the paperwork to prove it. If the cooling system was good enough for Texas and 5th wheel trailers(as evidenced by the 5th wheel adapter and trailer brakes), do I really NEED to spend the money for the upgrade? Not that I can't afford it, but I also can't really just drop $500 for a water pump swap. Plus, to top it all off, I don't know if the truck will make the 2 hour trip back to my parent's driveway to do the work. Can I drive it with the rad cap off to keep the pressure off the water pump seal?
I'm in a bit of a pickle now. If I can drive it with the rad cap off, it may make it back to Richmond for the work so I can do it myself, then maybe the upgrades would be put on. But if this truck has survived Texas and towing already, why should I spend all that money for the upgraded parts? Please help! I just don't know!
Advance lists 2 waterpumps from GMB, one OE, the other marked OE Performance with $1 difference in price. What's the difference? There's a "performance" version?

[ 12-28-2003, 04:01 PM: Message edited by: Randee of the Redwoods ]

[suburbanz]

you should be able to make it back home i would think if you take the pressure off by turning the radiator cap back a click!if you are not going to tow anything really large or heavy for long distances like myself i would save the money on the cooling upgrades and just put a quality water pump on when you get home.that does not include advanced or auto zone!just my opinion,wish you luck and keep us posted!didnt this truck have a noise in the engine when you bought it,whatever happend with that?

[john8662]

Cooling Upgrade?

I really think that all 6.5's should have the upgrades if they are going to pull or run above stock performance (chips, more boost, fuel, etc.)

My advise in your situation would be to get the regular waterpump for the 6.5 of your year (not the HO waterpump). You need the waterpump for single thermostat truck (your 1994). The reason I would say this is that the engine in your truck has quite a few miles on it, and a suspect sound. From your other posts you have indicated that you will eventually replace the engine with a better 6.5. I would wait till you replace the engine to do the upgrade. You're right, if its survived so far, leave it alone. Stay away from the aftermarket pumps, I would get a rebuilt or new GM waterpump only. On your next engine, the upgrade will be a must, especially if you are going to do some peformance upgrades, the extra cooling will be there. I noticed a difference, cooling is more stabilized now, doesn't fluctuate as much as is did prior to the upgrade.

[autocrosser]

If you are going to replace the water pump why not just buy the HO pump. It's a GM item and not a specialty or higher cost item. They cam out on the late 96 and up engines. Just ask for a later year pump and it will have HO cast in the top of it.

If you aren't pulling loads you shouldn't be having trouble with overheating. My son has pulled my tractor on level ground with his 95 and the trailer/tractor combo comes out to about 7500lbs.

[leaf40]

Both my '93 6.5 TD Sierra 2500 and '86 6.2 N/A CUCV Blazer ran hot during extended summer highway drives. I replaced both radiators with the thickest I could find and highway driving is very cool (never over 180*). If the GM HO water pump is the same price, put it in, then think about the t-stat change.

[john8662]

installing the HO waterpump without doing the thermostat crossover upgrade isn't a good idea. Some members on this page have argued that just changing the waterpump will not get the flow needed. There just isn't enough coolant passing through the existing thermostat. I don't know if this will or won't damage the pump. Stay with the stock 87 GPM waterpump. When you build up a new 6.5 you will want a NEW waterpump anyways. If you buy the HO waterpump now you won't really want to transplant it on the new engine (good practice with a new engine).

[Randee of the Redwoods]

Well, Woody still works at Jim Mckay Chevrolet. it's gonna cost me $730 to changed the water pump. For that money, that's all I can do. Upgrades will have to wait. I do decided to tow, I'll just have to tow slow for now. This is what I expected for repair costs when I bought the truck. I didn't think I could dodge the bullet forever, but I did get this far. I'm also having the front brake hoses replaced(one is almost worn through) for $250. The want $500+(worst case) for the oil cooler lines, so I'll take my chances on them for now. I'm looking for the guy who had the leak free aftermarket ones for something like $250. That's a job I can do myself and save some dough.
So, $1000 it is. I suppose it could have been a lot worse.

[john8662]

Randee,

For the oil cooler lines you were looking for check here:

http://www.thedieselpage.com/newprod.htm

Under Lubrication Specialists.

I can tell you from experience, that the oil cooler line upgrade looks like the final fix for the problem. I installed these to replace the leaking ones on my k2500 burb. I think the price for the lines to be very reasonable as compared to the OEM lines. These lines are of better quality as well. Takes an evening to a day to install right. You have to pull your grill out (easy, if you've done it before, if not, ask before trying it), if you haven't already, replace the big o rings on the oil filter adaptor (3 total) for 4x4's. Follow the advise from Greg about the install, take the oil filter adaptor out (hence the new seals).

You should tackle the waterpump install yourself, it isn't that difficult, but will take you all day to do with all the tools. Heck of a lot cheaper than 700 bucks! With the waterpump, and seals, you will have about 100 bucks in parts at the most. You seem like your mechanically inclined enough for this task, from your experience working on the ol 6.2 and exaust on the 6.5 and turbo work and misc other items, add this to your list.

P.S. consider calling your truck something besides "The Ebay Truck" its your truck, give it another name!

Good Luck!

[ 12-29-2003, 11:25 AM: Message edited by: john8662 ]

[EWC]

I have a stock water pump off a 95 with 180,000 on it that you can have if you want . It didn't leak and I replaced it for the HO pump .

I also replaced the oil cooler lines on my 86 3500 and was suprised to see that the GM lines were steel .