Phazer gears

[SPANKY6.5ER]

I, being new to the 6.5 scene feel like I'm playing catch up with all learned and needed info concerning my vehicle. It has 124,000 miles on it and I'm wondering if or when I should be concerned with the timing chain replacement and if these new Phazer gears are something I should look into. I do intend to upgrade the water pump and maybe the harmonic balancer at the same time. I don't know if I should wait on the chain/gear question? Can any veterans help me with the "when" and "should I?" with the Phazer gears??

Thanks much

[sixnickel]

I have heard a lot of pros and cons on the Phazer gears. There great for timing but tough on the crank shaft. I think when I have change a timing set I will go with the chain. They are proven, they do last, and I would go for crankshaft life over a little performance. Also change it when you do the water pump and vibration damper you have to pull the timing cover to change the water pump. Also when you put the timing cover back on you RTV not a gasket. The factory uses RTV!! OK if you want it to leak use a gasket.

[SPANKY6.5ER]

By the way, which of your 3 trucks do you mostly drive, 6nickel? Do they all drive about the same, or do they vary in power, comfort, braking...?

[sixnickel]

What do I drive the most? I guess the 2000 K3500 SRW that's my truck, my toy. I drive it only nights and weekends. I have a company truck I bring home a 97 Chevy K2500HD with a inferior gas 350. I drive the 99 K1500 Burb quite a bit also. The K1500 Burb is really a 2500 with 1500 badges on it, the only real difference is the 3.42 gears witch are great for milage. The 2 rigs are about the same to drive. Both ride great, handle good, they both stop OK I guess. The K3500 is quicker with the 4.10s and more HP options, but the Burb is no slouch. That will get the 4" exhaust and marine injectors soon and then it might give the K3500 a run for it's money. The old 91 V1500 6.2 Burb I don't drive much any more. My older son has that now. But I will tell you that's a nice old ride and with the Banks turbo and some other tricks in it that thing goes!!! and gets 23 MPG hammer down. My younger son has a 94 K2500 6.5 Burb. That's the slug of the fleet for now but when he can afford the 80 HP chip ( the 4" exhaust, marine injectors, and air intake are on it ) I am sure it will be able to keep up with the rest of the fleet. Like I said a yard full of GM trucks!!!!

[Garth J]

Hey doug nothing better than that gotta love these old trucks
Mine is a 94 ex cab short box with lots of Walts goodies on it
I pull my 27 foot 5th wheel RV with no problems at all but some hills in the mountains are a bit slow...Garth