Duramax swap into my 94?
My 6.5 block and heads are cracked and I'm more than a little gun shy about sticking in a replacement only to have it happen again. A new redesigned head and block engine will run $7000 plus if I install. My thoughts are to do a Duramax swap. The fabrication of mounts, dash swap,tranny swap,etc. doesn't bother me. My question is how to I go about finding a good donor truck for the swap? What much would a totaled Duramax cost and how does a guy go about finding one? As I see it, I would need the entire truck for all the parts for the swap--not just finding an engine and transmission (I'm assuming the existing 4L80 won't hold up). Is this swap something that a guy could do and come out ahead financially? I intend to keep the truck for many more years.
-1989 Chevy Silverado, 3/4 Ton, Ext. Cab, Long Bed, 4x4, 6.2 Diesel, SM465, 160K Miles, Watson Brown-Lipe over/under auxiliary transmission, Onboard air compresser, Auto-Crane.
-1993 Chevy 3/4 Ton, Reg. Cab, 2wd, 6.2 Diesel, Auto, 58K Miles, Stake Bed, Ex Air Force Truck.
-1993 Chevy 3/4 Ton, Reg. Cab, Long Bed, 2wd, 6.5 Turbo Diesel, NV4500 -- For Parts.
-1994 Chevy Silverado, 1 Ton, Ext. Cab, Long Bed, 4x4, 6.5 Turbo Diesel, 4L80, 228K Miles with low mile 2002 military AMG-GEP engine.
-1994 Chevy Silverado, 3/4 Ton, Ext. Cab, Long Bed, 4x4, 6.5 Turbo Diesel, NV4500, 255K Miles.