Another Frugal Heavy Hauler build

[oil pan 4]

Why are you putting a stock GM 6.5L on a ford 7.3L?
That turbo was too small for the 6.5L.
For a highway driven vehicle that tows on the open road you want a oversized turbo for increased fuel economy and decreased EGT while driving. If you are city driving then you want a small factory undersized turbo.

[bondvagabond]

In the first post of this thread, I explained how I'd sold my 7.3 diesel van. The turbo is going on an 82 gmc half ton. I updated my signature line with my current project details.

[oil pan 4]

The stock turbo is still not even ideal for open road towing or highway driving on a 6.2L.

[bondvagabond]

Hey. Thanks for the interest in my thread. If you read the previous posts you'll see that my budget is very limited. I bought the truck for $350, because it had a lift gate, and a diesel engine known for getting decent mileage. Are there better turbos out there for my intended purpose? Of course. Can I get a complete turbo setup, minus gauges for $120? Not that I know of. If my build annoys you so much, that you can't even read my posts, which you obviously have not from both your replies, I recommend you find a thread more to your liking. This one will continue to be about me, trying to build an efficient heavy hauler, on a very tight budget.

[oil pan 4]

I went through and really read it.
For the glow plugs loose the controller. When it fails the glow plugs will stay on until they all burn out. Replace with a manual switch.
I didn't see where you said why glow plugs you installed, I highly recommend 60G glow plugs. They cost a few more dollars each than the stock 6.2 glow plug but my 60G plugs were installed in 2007 or 2008 and I have not had one go bad since then. The old 6.2 plugs I was replacing about 1 set per year at $80 a set from 2005 to 2007 or 08. I think the ones that burn all the out all the time have a part number something to the effect of 9G, 11G and 1110. I highly recommend replacing these right away with a 60G plugs and a manual controller before you get stuck some where with burned out glow plugs. Or at least buy a set of 60G plugs and 10mm wrench, keep them in the truck.
You mentioned a th700 swap. The problem with that is to go from a th350 to th700 you will have to have the TV cable holder which is almost impossible to find for the diesels. I have already ruined one th700 due to improper TV adjustment when the previous owner swapped in a different carburetor on a camaro right before I bought it with out the adaptor for the th700 TV cable.
Also the diesel th400 has 6 bolts between the flex plate and converter. But you should be able to use a gaser th700 and torque converter if you have the diesel TV cable holder.
If I decide to go with a 6 speed I will be selling my th700 and related parts. But the transmission has no lockup for some reason, it quit working last year and I just have not been driving it much.

For a boost gauge I highly recommend a boost vacuum compound gauge normally used on turbocharged gasoline engines. That way you if you have an exhaust leak before the turbine, the intake will be pulling a slight 1 to 3 inchs of mercury vacuum when you first start going from a stop.
For a pyro, get one on sale from ebay, that's what I did so you don't have to pay $200 or more for one.

[bondvagabond]

I agree whole heartedly on the glow plug control situation. Mine had a brand new controller sealed in plastic...so I sold it. One of the previous owners had put a momentary on button on the dash, I'll be using that. The only "glow plug" system I can really get behind is type used by Sabb or Saab, I can't remember, spelled the other way from the car company. They make marine diesels. There is a hole in the block about where the glow plug would be, you insert a fancy thing that looks like a cigarette after lighting it. it burns up warming the combustion chamber, hand crank er over and away you go. You can use an actual cigarette or pine splinter, they work just as well. (sabb sadly went out of biz during the recession , but you can still get parts.)

Was able to trade some garage sale type junk for a 700r4. My truck originally came with a 700r4, so I'm sure that encouraged the prior owner to find the 9" tail version of the th350 he swapped in. If you have that length th350 it is a direct swap. Well aware of the tv cable bracket issue, when I was a machinist I helped a buddy make one for a diesel swap of his. It's really not as scary as people say. There are only about 4 or 5 measurements to get right. That being said, mine still has the stock tv cable setup, and I am going to use that.

One of my questions for you guys is, what common turbo is way better for efficiency than the stock 6.5 diesel one? I would want it to bolt up to the stock 6.5 manifold, is that a common mount size? It would be for way down the line so to speak, but if there was something that fit that bill, i'd start looking for a killer deal on one.

[oil pan 4]

I think the cheapest easiest to get turbo that could help improve fuel milage and reduce EGT while towing would be an HX40 serries.
Me personally I would like to try a single ball bearing T76.