Will it Break???

[Sundance]

I just purchased a 1995 Chevy 3500 with the 6.5 TD. It has a broken
crank. I have ordered a long block with warranty.

The truck had the following upgrades:

Heath Chip 80 HP

4" Warp Speed Exhaust

Bully Dog "A" Pillar gauges

Air Cleaner Mod.

Turbo Master manual waste gate

My question as a rookie with modified 6.5's is: Will it break?? What
can I do to insure it does not??

[sixnickel]

99.9% of the time 6.5 cranks break because of a failed vibration damper on the front of the crank!! If the long block you are installing does not come with one DO NOT use the old one or you will be busting another crank. There are 2 pieces the hub and the pulley change them both. As far as cooling goes SSDiesel Supply has a cooling upgrade kit, go for that first. The GM radiator is plenty big to do the job. The problem is circulation the 130 GPM pump will move enough coolant but it also needs the duel T/stats to get the flow, one T/stat will not flow 130 GPM. The fan upgrade would be last if needed they make a lot of noise and use a lot of HP to turn. Also if you have to use the oil pan, valve covers, etc from the old engine do not use the gaskets that come with the engine it will leak ( I learned the hard way) Permitex has a RTV called the Right Stuff. Thats what GM used at the factory use it and it won't leak Good Luck

[Sundance]

Thanks........ I'll order up the new dampeners right away.

[Sundance]

Is there a damper brand that is better than OEM??

How about ATP brand??

[hraney]

I think Fluidampr is making one for the 6.5 now. It is filled w/ a fluid so it balances pretty much continuously instead of in a certain freq range. They aren't cheap, but since you are so far into it already...

Also, will it break? sure, if you keep your foot in it.

[Sundance]

Do you have a link for them??

So far I have $7900 into the rig. Thats purchase price, new long block installed, cooling upgrade, and other upgrades. Plus I walk away with an extra set of heads with 2k on them. The truck came with new tires as well. He had receipts for over $3K on work done in the last 3 months. Like rebuilt turbo, new brakes, new shocks, bedliner, etc.

Then he snapped the crank........... and bought a DuraMax.:)

[Sundance]

Here's some pics of my "new" toy...

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d149/Sundance1955/Drivers.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d149/Sundance1955/Passenger.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d149/Sundance1955/Rear.jpg

[hraney]

Here (http://www.fluidampr.com/DURAMAX.htm) is the link, don't know why they put it under the Duramax page. I have thought about one myself if/when I decide to overhaul.

[sixnickel]

I guess there are improved balancers out there but I haven't reserched them that much. But I feel that unless you have a built to the hills, blow your soxs off 6.5 they are not worth the extra money. IF I had to replace the one on one of my rigs I would go with the stock OEM set up.

[Sundance]

After seeing the price of a Fluidampr I will not be getting
one.

I see one ebay they have some "knock off" fluid dampers.
But I am wary about them.

Any one have any experience with these knock offs??

This is just and example and not one for the 6.5

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SFI-Fluid-Damper-Chevy-Small-Block-sb-sbc-383-400-Ext-B_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33616QQitemZ180099975 808QQrdZ1