Engine Swap 88K 1500 350 to 6.2

[gillguy]

I have a 1988 K1500 4X4 5.7L (350) 4 speed manual with 3:42 gears. The engine is original with 260,000 + miles and is getting tired. I've thought about just rebuilding, but a friend has a 6.2 diesel (low mileage) that I got cheap with the intention of putting it in my truck. Brought it home on a trailer, but now having doubts. Would this be an easy swap? Looks like the mounts and everything will swap over. What about the wiring? My truck has the ECM computer stuff, I don't think I need that on the diesel, would I need to change the complete harness? What about the exhaust, fuel lines, etc...

If not a feasable swap anyone want a 6.2 for about $600.00
My 350 is not in real bad shape, but the thought of a diesel in my 4X4 was sounding pretty good.

Thanks
Bobby G

[gillguy]

Thanks
I'll be selling the 6.2 diesel and using the money to rebuild the 350.

[john8662]

You're right that you won't need the ECM.

I'd recommend finding a harness out of a Diesel truck of that year model.

But, you could still wire this engine up pretty simply, because it doesn't really require much, especially since this is going into a standard-shift setup.

You'll likely need the Diesel flywheel and components for the std shift conversion.

J

[NH2112]

Use your + coil wire to energize the fuel solenoid. You can also tap into this wire to power the HPCA/fast idle temp switch. If you don't want to wire up the stock glow controller, buy a HD relay, take the wires off the glow controller studs and put them on the relay studs, and use a momentary pushbutton to energize the relay. If you're keeping the gasser dash I'd swap oil pressure & coolant temp senders because they're calibrated for the gauges (or vice versa.) Make a bracket for the fuel filter (might as well install a 2-micron secondary while you're at it) and mount it on the inner fender. Get the diesel flywheel, or flexplate/torque converter if it's a stick, and get as much of the exhaust from the donor truck as you can. If there's nothing there, it's just 2 1/4" pipe all the way back.

[Robyn]

Done one of these for a friend last year.

Easy swap with minimal bother.

Use the sending units for the gauges and such from the 350.
You can dummy up the Coolant temp sensor so the computer will see it and be happy.

Some of the electronic controls may cause the computer to throw a code but these can be worked through.

The fuel system will need to be flushed.

Now the fuel pump on your pickup is most likley in the tank.
This setup provides too much pressure and you have some choices but I would eliminate the pump in the tank and use a simple sock strainer type unit and then go to the engine mounted pump for the 6.2.

The fuel filter can be an aftermarket diesel filter.

I am not sure where the fuel lines come into the engine bay on that year of truck but you can modify things to suit,

Just be sure you have a free flowing return line back to the tank to hook up the injector pump and injector returns too.

Not all that tough.

As was mentioned you will need a flywheel and clutch for the 6.2 as the 350 stuff wont work. ( A tleast the flywheel wont)

All the rest of the suff will bolt up.

Also you will need the radiator for a diesel for the year of your truck.
The 350 radiator will not even cool the diesel.

Accessory brackets must follow the engine. ( 6.2/6.5 brackets needed)

good luck

Robyn