Hello all, im new to the diesel community. Just got my hands on a 1995 chevy k2500 6.5l turbo diesel. It has a 5" rough country suspension lift and a 4" body lift in the front and 5" blocks and 4" body lift in the rear. straight pipe exhaust off of a schoolbus and i believe its either 4 "or 5". My main problem with the truck is the cranking. After the glowplug controller shuts off and turn key to start position it takes exactly 7 seconds to start up. Is this normal or is something going out? Putting a radiator in it tomorrow bet that will be fun.. thanks for all of the help and comments ahead of time!

 

You need to engage the starter as soon as the wait to start/glow plug light goes out the first time.

The flashes that occur after the light goes out once the longest duration is over are called afterglow and are meant to happen when the engine is already running.
may also need a new set of Bosch Duratherm glow plugs?

You may also want to get the truck scanned for codes since extended cranking can be a side effect of sensor problems?

If this is only a problem on the first start of the day you may also have a leaking O-ring or 2 in the fuel filter housing that allows air to get in once the fuel has leaked out?