I keep hearing that the Chevy 6.5 blocks are prone to cracking. What can be done to strengthen the block? I'm having my 6.5 rebuilt in 2 weeks. Thanks in advance. I PUT THIS IN THE WRONG PLACE THE FIRST TIME.

 

first make sure it is not cracked already. if it isnt make sure block and rotating assembley is balanced and machined correctly. throw a fluiddampr on there and some evenly pop tested injectors and it should be mostly crack free. I would use main bearing studs too but thats kinda over kill.

There are girdles out there but the only good ones i have seen are custom pieces that no one really wants to reproduce and the girdle on the p400 that the military uses. also block filler is an option but on a street driven truck its kinda hard to use cause you cant fill the coolant passages too high cause it will overheat.

 

I would do everything woody said but if it was me I would ditch the 506 block you should have in place of a 599 early 6.5 or late 6.2 one with a one piece rear main seal. I would also put a scat crank in it.

I would stay away from girdles most of them are not ridged enough to make a difference. The big problem with the 6.5 breaking mains is they weren't machined accurately enough from the factory.

 

X2 What woody35 and 2MuchJunk

i would go with older 6.2 block like 2MunchJunk said it is stronger block think only thing diff is you have run one of oil line for the turbo to back side of block if i remember right sure someone clear that up for you

 

yeah you have to tap for a oil line since the 6.2s werent turbo'd.

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you this is why i joined DB! These machine shops here just want to push out BS and take your money. Thanks again.

 

lot machine shops don't know 6.5 blocks

 

[QUOTE=Woody35;690978]girdle on the p400 that the military uses. QUOTE]

I keep hearing about the girdle on the military blocks, but I rebuild 6.5s and 6.5 turbos for the USMC (and sometimes Army units) and never came across one with a girdle. Is this a new feature? Where can I find info on them? I rebuilt my last military 6.5 in 2008

 

I had the same problem so I took the 6.5 out and threw it away and replaced it with a 5.9 cummins. Everything is great now

 

[quote=SquirrelCrusher;699625]well the girdled 6.5s came out in 2009 im pretty sure so thats the reason you probably have never seen them.

just type in p400 6.5 diesel in google and you should get some results