1999 Chevy K2500 Suburban 6.5 Diesel (Automatic)

[Baltothewolf]

The taurus fans are a great option. I used one to cool my 331 stroked, supercharged Mustang when the mechanical fan was unable to keep up.

[aardvarcus]

Deejaa,

I'll either post it in my build thread or bump that old post when I get something functioning. I did some test fitting last night on my dual fan setup, basically the fans I am using are 18" diameter (the shroud makes it more like 19") and the radiator is 34" across, so there will be a 1" to 2" overhang of the ends of the fans past the core of the radiator overhanging the side tanks. I might could also lap in the center, like I did on my Tacoma setup. Obviously using 1 fan or two 17" fans would make this much easier, but what fun would that be.

[101Volts]

Latest EcoModding Report:

Reattached the improved air dam; now it curves around the corners of the bumper and is attached by metal brackets. This is easy to do for this vehicle's stock bumper as there are already 11 holes around the bumper and the bumper's flat on the bottom.

[Daox]

Where are the pics?

[101Volts]

No pics yet. I tested the air dam today and noticed a nice small increase in F.E. on my short HWY trip; 1-2 MPG. However, in hindsight over the last few weeks I wasn't driving as efficiently as I could have without the air dam. I did have the vehicle off the road for 5-6 weeks so maybe I forgot how to drive it well but the air dam does have a significant effect on how much I can coast with my foot lightly holding the pedal down at 45-55 MPH on slight downgrades.

Next planned mods:

1: Skirting under Steps which should be easy;

2: Skirting in Rear Wheel Arches; I know someone nearby who works with sheet metal cheaply so maybe I'll get some metal cut from him and paint it then attach it.

3: Cheap but solid 16" Hubcaps, wrapped in a material that can withstand at least a year of driving including a harsh winter and be painted;

4: Oil Catch Can for PCV Valve Hose; even though I replaced the valve it still appears to leak but not as badly.

[101Volts]

Ah, joy; I have a full set of old plastic 16" hubcaps, provided they hold on. Now I only have to figure out what to wrap around them.

[deejaaa]

i have a set of these i will be using on mine:
https://images.bonanzastatic.com/afu...03673/__57.jpg

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by deejaaa

i have a set of these i will be using on mine:
https://images.bonanzastatic.com/afu...03673/__57.jpg

Good looking choice. I remember those covers.

[101Volts]

Small update:

1: On a recent local trip I found I was driving stupidly the last few weeks, having forgotten how to drive this vehicle over the 5-6 weeks when it was on jack stands. I got that day's F.E. back up close to how it previously was (27 MPG on the uncalibrated meter = about 20 MPG.)

2: I bought some Q-Bond for making my rear wheel skirting brackets:



Wait, wrong image although I wouldn't be surprised if Q had a hand in making this.



This cures within 10 seconds and you get a very hard attachment with it. I'll attach lock nuts to the brackets with this for simple, convenient skirting removal. Incidentally now I have something to fix the fan shroud on the Mercury.

3: I bought an Anemometer (Wind Speed Gauge) to tell the engine fan speeds in all my cars. So far I tested the Suburban which reads 6.7-7.3 MPH at idle.

I'll probably replace the fan in the Caprice before any other car, the 305 in it's not as touchy to overheating and I'll see results quicker than in the Mercury which I rarely drive (3k miles in nearly 3 years, the last oil change doesn't even have 1 mile on it.)

[grabowski]

Oil out of the CDR means there is blowby, though do not be alarmed! The CDR operates when the engine is a driving rpms, there isn't much vacuum at idle. Every 6.5 I have seen has it to some extent when idling.
I installed a Provent 200 with a 1l catch can on my '94 6.5TD 'K2500 'burb just to keep the oil out of the cold side of the turbo. The Provent with the catch can works Very well, mounted down behind the front axle on the passenger side, and the cold side of the turbo is dry.

Keep up the good work!