Advice on Rebuild or buy Rebuilt?

Question

I have an 84 Chevy Suburban 6.2 Diesel engine. I had a starter put on a while back and the shop that had it, I had to take it back a couple times, and it turned out they used a bolt that was too long and they never bothered to check how tight it held, so it shook and stripped out the holes in the block. After they completely messed it up again, and ate up yet another starter, I decided to do it myself, I knew I HAD to get it fixed because I am moving across the country in 2 months and using the truck to tow a trailer. After I figured out that they had a bolt that was too long, I managed to get 1 small piece of a shim kit between the block and the starter, and put 4 washers on the bolt that is too long, since the HeliCoils they put in had been stripped out, I knew they wouldnt hold for a long time on their own, so I put JB weld in holes to keep it, it turns now and seems ok, my issue is I am trying to decide between rebuilding an old 6.2 myslef or buying a crate engine. Advice?

Just for clarification, the engine that is in there is getting pulled out either way, my main thing is I need a new short block where the mounting holes are that are striped out, so I know a guy that can find me an old 6.2 block, just trying to decide between DIY or have my mech. drop a crate engine in. Never done a full rebuild by myself, but I know I can manage it.

Ok, for more clarification, I believe the best overall route to go is a to replace the engine that is in there because the mounting hole for the starter are completely stripped and horrible, and since replacing the short block to fix it is basicly the same as a rebuild because of all the work, I figure a new engine is the better choice overall. I already spoke with a machine shop about remachining threads into block, it can be done, but the holes will be a size larger, meaning a size larger bolt and then i would have to bore out the holes on starter and that would void the warranty on any starter I have from now on, and its a 418 ACDelco Gear reduction starter. anyway, the rngine is getting old and has seem its better days.

Answer 1

you can rebuild it but the tolerances are so critical that a machine shop that builds motors would have to almost build it due to the close tolerances on a diesel IMO...

Unless someone is building a motor for high performance, or building it for a certain purpose (like making a torque motor out of a gas engine) I recommend the remanufactured that would probably have a way better warranty and a piece of mind that if something goes wrong, you are not on the hook for a mistake.

Diesels cost a whole hell of a lot of money to rebuld or buy.. so I take it you love your old suburban.

I recommend a engine from Jasper or GM Goodwrench due to quality and warranty on those engines

http://www.jasperengines.com/diesel-engines.htm
http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/PartsAccessories/Engines.jsp

Answer 2

With the advances in engine technology trickling into the market, if you have the funds to go ahead and purchase a crate motor and then work it, I would suggest you do that. In some cases, with a bit of talking to a sales professional, perhaps at a place like Jasper engines or your local shops... you can find out possible upgrades and improvements to your engine. The old 6.2 is a pretty good engine, the newer 6.5 in my opinion (yes yes, opinions are like @$$holes, everyone has them ) is a better engine. Now whether that engine will fit without modification to the mounting locations, transmission facing, or anything else... I wish I could tell you, but I dont know those details off the top of my head. Do a little shopping, and compare the information... a crate engine will have some sort of warranty, your rebuild might not... Good luck.

Answer 3

Either choice is going to be expensive. You could save money building it yourself, but you have to ask yourself wether or not it's really worth the time and hassle. Additionally, a well built engine requires a lot of precision measuring. If you have the proper measuring tools, patience, and skill to build it, you could save some money. Otherwise, buying a crate engine would save you a lot of frustration (not to mention having a warranty to fall back on).

An option that you might also consider is trying to find a low mileage used engine. The 6.2 was fairly popular for a while, so it shouldn't be too dificult to locate one, and it could save you a ton of money. You can steam clean it and go through and change the seals & gaskets before the install, and with proper care it could serve you well for years to come.

Hope this is helpful.

Answer 4

You want to rebuild because of a starter problem? There must be other issues to cause you to believe you need a new engine? If that's the case, and you have doubts about rebuilding, I would say purchase. It takes confidence to rebuild and it sounds like you don't have it. I hope you don't take offense but ring and bearing clearance is very precise and the smallest amount of grease and trash in the wrong place can ruin what it takes days to do. If you don't have the knowledge and confidence to perform an overhaul, I couldn't recommend doing it yourself.

Answer 5

Find a reputable builder and ask how much to rebuild and repair the stripped hole. I think I would go with the crate motor, but compare the cost.

Answer 6

Sounds to me like you need to just bite the bullet and buy the crate engine.