I agree with all points mentioned except a few:
First, the 6.5 DOES have block cracking issues..... Run any power into them and watch the block split.... Actually, the 6.2 block will hold more power than a 6.5......
Heads: They will crack eventually.. I count myself EXTREMELY lucky to have an old-style head(s) on my 95 and still have them in one piece.....
IP's: The POS stanadyne DS4 electronic injection pumps are a nightmare..... All the issues I have EVER had with my truck (and I've had many....) Have related DIRECTLY to that junk pump and or it's supporting hardware.. I personally wouldn't own another vehicle with Stanadyne anything in it..... At least not their electronic stuff........
Design: Being an indirect injection system, these engines are not going to acheive the efficiency levels that a DI engine, such as the Cummins, Duramax, and Powerstroke.. Plus, due to the higher compression ratios needed on IDI engines, they start harder. (My truck is in VERY good condition internally, and it WILL NOT start if you don't wait for glowplugs..... Our ancient DI Massey-Fergusson with a Perkins diesel will start clear down into the 20's. And it has no glowplugs, nothing....)
Cooling: Because of the IDI, primary combustion occurs within the head. Thus, all IDI engines run HOT. If you've ever seen the radiator for a 6.5, they are the same size as the towing-package suburbans and 454 powered vehicles.... Them babies push out some serious heat.... That heat is diesel fuel that isn't moving your vehicle down the road....
So, in short; like I said before, I won't bash the 6.5, but I certianly would pick a better engine if I was contemplating a swap from scratch..... Now, if you've got a good running free 6.5 laying in your garage, then go for it! With the money you'll save not buying a cummins and tranny adapters and such, you can put so good mods into the 6.5 to get the torque, fuel economy, and reliability up a little....
