AMG/GEP 506 Navistar Longblock ID

[More Power]

AM General assumed 6.5 engine production in mid 2000, and quickly handed block and cylinder head casting duties off to International Casting Corporation (Navistar) in 2001. International has been casting all of the 6.9L/7.3L/6.0L/6.4L diesel engines used in the Ford pickups since 1983.

The first Navistar/AMG 6.5 rolled off the General Engine Products assembly lines in November 2001. Those made since November 2001 are the very best 6.5 production engines - so far.

Navistar was tasked with solving the cracking problem GM experienced in both the cylinder blocks and the cylinder heads. Navistar accomplished this by increasing the moly content in the block and introducing a number of design changes. The cylinder heads saw an alloy change to include more chromium.



This photo shows an International/Navistar/AMG produced 6.5L diesel longblock, and was shown to us during the 2005 Rendezvous in Salt Lake City by Peninsular Diesel - who is an authorized retailer for AMG/GEP.

The numbers 1-7, as indicated in the above photo help to describe how to identify these blocks.

1- The Navistar symbol is cast into the engine valley.

2- The "506" casting number can be found in a few places on the block. The two #2's as identifed on the photo include the 506 number.

3- The casting date is also an indicator of when the block was actually cast by International. It should show a date of November 2001 or newer.

4- These blocks include two Oil Pressure Switch ports. The valley location was used by the 1996 or newer civilian model engines.

5- The OPS bellhousing flange location was used by the 1992-95 civilian model engines.

6- This pipe is used as a valley drain. Any liquid accumulating in the valley can drain through this line to a location above the oil filter.

7- This is the engine speed sensor used by the 4L80-E automatic. It is afixed atop the oil pump drive assembly.

Jim

[Kennedy]

THANK YOU!!!

Now we just need to see how much of this detail the China castings have. I'd guess they are the same except for maybe the fact that they use the same julian date for every unit

[TurboDiverArt]

I'd guess they are the same except for maybe the fact that they use the same julian date for every unit

That's pretty funny!

Do the older GM blocks also have a julian date in the same location?

Art.

[More Power]

I spoke to GEP recently about the imported blocks. I was told that aftermarket cylinder blocks cannot legally use identification marks such as GM, AMG, GEP, Navistar or even the 506 casting number. They are aware of the heads & blocks, and have evaluated them (cut them up to look at casting qualities and alloys). They wouldn't comment on them further.

By the way.... the forged-steel cranks are almost here....

Jim

[simon]

I spoke to GEP recently about the imported blocks. I was told that aftermarket cylinder blocks cannot legally use identification marks such as GM, AMG, GEP, Navistar or even the 506 casting number. They are aware of the heads & blocks, and have evaluated them (cut them up to look at casting qualities and alloys). They wouldn't comment on them further.

By the way.... the forged-steel cranks are almost here....

Jim

I do have metal chemical content done on a china block, i have the records.
does anyone have the same on a stockblock? I would like to compare data to see how the china blocks stack up against stock.

[john8662]

Please post items in this location that can help identify a Navistar Block, for questions about the block you have, post a new thread in the 6.5 Diesel forum.

For those following recent activity about a block, it's here:

http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/t...ad.php?t=34961

Thanks!

[AllThumbs]

When identifying these blocks, what would the date 0206N be? How do I break these numbers down? I thought the N was a month, but that would make M the last month. Any help?

[AllThumbs]

I tried to look up julian dates, but the numbers used on engines isn't true julian numbers. The letters used are not in the julian system so this must be some bastardized version used by the manufacturers. I still can't find out what 0206N means. It is in the right place on the block. I simply want to know if this is an 06 engine.

[More Power]

Date codes switched to a different format in in 2001, you can find the info for both formats in the following thread:
http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/t...ad.php?t=24325

Jim

[AllThumbs]

Thanks MP, I had read that thread, but I did not read it close enough. That answers my question.

[okadoc]

I have just taken delivery of a cobra p400 complete ready to drop in engine, it has 506 in the valley and P 400 on the block near head face, no no,s on the heads either end it was supplied to a friend in Sydney Aust from US engine production company near New York .what do we actually have here,please anyone she'd light, I'm unaware that the 506 block are in fact used for the p 400
Will load pics if needed, happy travels and to Jim and Robyn and all thanks for sharing your excellent knowledge base, cheers from Oz.
Okadoc

[Robyn]

P400 was the model designation for the AMG 6.5 that had been refitted with the complete lower cast iron girdle assembly.

Take a couple pix of the engine and post here.

Get a good side shot showing the pan rail area, as this is where the difference is.

Robyn

[More Power]

P400 was the model designation for the AMG 6.5 that had been refitted with the complete lower cast iron girdle assembly.

Take a couple pix of the engine and post here.

Get a good side shot showing the pan rail area, as this is where the difference is.

Robyn

If it doesn't have the cast-iron girdle, it's NOT a P400.

[okadoc]

P400 was the model designation for the AMG 6.5 that had been refitted with the complete lower cast iron girdle assembly.

Take a couple pix of the engine and post here.

Get a good side shot showing the pan rail area, as this is where the difference is.

Robyn

Thanks heaps for your reply hope I get this right first time here's the pics

[okadoc]

If it doesn't have the cast-iron girdle, it's NOT a P400.

A pic of the valley with 506

[More Power]

That does look like a P400... likely a drop-in for a HMMWV.

The heads may have the vertical mounting flanges for the HMMWV intake manifold, which won't work for a pickup truck/Suburban intake. If you can use the rear mounted turbo, you're golden.

Thanks for posting the pic.

Jim