Some 6.5 diesel "Gum shoe"
In trying to run down the unanswered questions on the Navistar Blocks such as the one I recently obtained, and then learned (last weekend) that the main line was too small, I had the oportunity yesterday to speak with several people across the country.
I spoke with 3 independant shops that supply 6.5 engines that they list as "Rebuilt" In their adds they mention "New Block, "New Crank", "New Heads"
Now correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't rebuilt mean remanufacture of used parts :confused: such as a ground crank or at least a pollished standard crank that meets spec. A set of heads that have had the valves reground and the seats reworked.
A rebuilt block is one that has had the cylinders overbored and fit with new pistons of say .020", .030" or ???
New rings, bearings gaskets etc.
Anyway, I asked the question, WHERE are the engine blocks coming from?
The answer was in all cases, AMG/GEP
OOOOK so Missy here climbs on the line and spoke with AMG and GEP within a few minutes of these other conversations.
I asked them if there were any bare blocks available for sale to engine builders. (I represented myself as a builder in search of a supply of blocks)
The answer was NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO blocks are being sold, only complete engines.
Soooooooo more Gum shoe. I emailed a few of these "rebuilders with the AMG/GEP blocks that they are supposedly using.
The answer is again that the blocks are not from overseas but from US manufacture AMG/GEP
Now, there sure is a lot of BS here on these stories. Either there are AMG Blocks available to some builders or there is not.
I have never seen such a convoluted mess of mismatched stories, tall tales and outright lies as what has come to be regarding the 6.5 engines.
More Gum Shoe work
Did some more digging and spoke with a local engine wholesaler up in Portland that I have known for years.
Now the plot thickens even more. I am told that there is now a new block thats a off shore copy of the AMG/GEP Block with all the Navistar markings and numbers.
The only thing that seems to be different is that the copies do not have the Navistar Quality control stamps that are placed at specific places on some machined surfaces.
I tell ya folks, this has gotten to be one helluva enigma. When you buy any 6.5 hard parts you can't really tell what your buying unless you buy direct from GEP.
Any of the internet sales outlets are certainly in question.
Now I won't go so far as to say that some of the materials are not of reasonable quality but, I am certainly suspect as to where the stuff is actually coming from.
Any Block casting can be copied as can the heads, cranks ect.
The availability of top notch machine tools makes just about anything possible this day and age.
Just because it says GM on the casting or has the Navistar <> logo does not make it an absolute open and shut case that thats what you have, especially if its a new piece.
Sadly there are no serial numbers on the blocks that can be cross checked with the OEM to varify the authenticity of the stuff.
Casting numbers and Julian dates can all be copied very easily and mean little in positively identifying who made the thing.
I know a lot more now than when I started this quest but, what I know just opens the door to more questions.
To anyone buying a "NEW" 6.5 deisel engine, if you get it from GEP or Franklin Power Products (now a division of CATERPILLAR) you are getting the real deal. Peninsular is a good source as well.
Beyond these suppliers I am suspect of just about everything.
You simply can't have a bunch of companies all claiming that they have the real deal and the OEM saying otherwise unless one or more is Full of BS.
I have seen many many aftermarket blocks for various engines that have been produced by Ford, GM, Mopar etc, and these are well known as being aftermarket copies for racing and or ??? whatever purpose the buyer had in mind. The fact is that the products are sold as what they are, A COPY.
The mystery, stealth and outright enigma that has surrounded the 6.5 diesel replacement parts has reached a point that it's just laughable.
The story surounding the unauthorized release of several Genuine Navistar blocks has been verified and thats about all that can be said there.
Who did it and exactly when will likely remain a mystery as the ones involved are keeping their lips shut.
Sooooo, to anyone buying a 6.5 engine thats being sold as a genuine AMG Block, just be sure of your source.
Peninsular is a authorized supplier as is of course GEP itself.
There may be some others but, any of these wholesale rebuilders are in my estimation in question.
Just a tid bit of the continuing Saga in the swirling clouds that surround the 6.5 diesel engine and its replacements.
Missy
