Diesel pros and cons

[454cid]

Truck has a NV4500 / 3.73s / 235/85R16s

Is that a dually or crew cab? I would have thought you'd get a bit better than the numbers you mentioned. Maybe the gears are still a bit too low. I'd like to run some 3.42's or 3.08's behind a 6.5L.

 

[supertrucker1978]

Not quite sure why you all are still talking about the 366. It was a fine engine for its application. Anyways, 6.5's are kind of hit or miss in my book, driven some and killed some. Id hate to see anything with higher gears then 3.73 in one. They really aren't a power house torque monster like modern diesels now. But with diesel prices they way they are and expected to rise I would probably stay away from one for a daily. Heres a quick scenario lets say you find two 99 3/4 ton trucks, same mileage same in every aspect except one is a 5.7 and one is a 6.5. Because diesels are hot the guy wants 2 grand more for it. That can buy alot of gas not to mention gas is cheaper than diesel. Also think about this. The Vortec 5.7 produces 255 hp to 350 hp at 4600 rpm and 330 ft-lbf to 350 ft-lbf of torque at 2800 rpm. And the 6.5 180hp to 215 hp @ 3,200 rpm and 360 to 440 lb·ft @ 1,800 rpm.

 

[Badass69]

Tall deck with extra rings in the 366 and thicker cylinder walls. I've seen a 350 in a medium duty, but am under the impression that those are swaps.

You know those coveted supposed high nickel high tin content 4 bolt 350 blocks. Industrial is where they spawned from. Not to mention forged cranks and whatever other little goodies they had. They weren't just used in medium duty trucks either, Massey Ferguson combines ( 510/550 and 750's) had 350's as well..... as well as the old 510's running 327's. Countless pumps, compressors and so on as well.

366's depending on the casting can take as much of a 1/8" overbore so yes they have thick walls.