The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Detroit Diesel question

I was talking to a gentelman the other day that has a 59' GMC. I asked him what engine is in it and he said it was a "GM diesel, the same as a Detroit Diesel". So what did he mean, are they the same? I need some diesel learnin.

They are the same. There is a lot of written history out there on it that can explain it better, but in the old days they were listed as "GM Diesels" and I believe that it was sometime in the '60's that the outfit became it's own separate corporation and from then on it was known as the "Detroit Diesel".

Bill

True, same engines, just updated the name from GM Diesel to Detroit Diesel at some point.

Most people, even those who understand the difference, just refer to any of the two cycle GM/Detroit Diesels built from about 1938 on as "Detroit Diesels". Although technically the old ones are GM Diesels.

Grigg

The GM light-truck 6.2L and 6.5L diesel engines were optional in the 1982-2000 C/K series pickup trucks, and in the Suburban, Chevy Tahoe & Blazer, GMC Yukon & Jimmy, vans, and motor homes (RV) - in both turbo diesel (TD) and naturally aspirated (NA) versions. In addition, low cost and ready availability have made these engines extremely popular the world over for diesel conversion projects; powering Land Rovers, Land Cruisers, and a host of other foreign and domestic production vehicles.

Designed as a diesel engine from the ground up by the Detroit Diesel Division of General Motors, the original 6.2L diesel engine was introduced in the 1982 model year GMC and Chevy C/K pickup truck and full-size SUV lines. Taking this engine design to the next level in the 1992 model year, the new 6.5L diesel engine was an advancement in technology, and was designed for the application of a turbocharger. The 6.2L saw its final year of production in 1993. While the 6.5 was replaced by the Duramax 6600 beginning in the 2001 model year Chevy and GMC vehicle production, the 6.5L diesel engine continues to be manufactured and sold by AM General. AM General is the manufacturer of the civilian H1 Hummer & military HMMWV. Not to worry, support for the 6.2/6.5 will continue to be a big part of The Diesel Page well into the future.

The Diesel Page has expanded coverage of GM's diesel engines since the introduction of the Duramax 6600, which is a result of a joint venture between Isuzu and the General Motors Corporation (forming DMAX Ltd.). We'll have all of the latest test reports and event coverage as that information becomes available for the LB7 / LLY / LBZ / LLM / LMM Duramax 6600 diesel engines, as well as Allison 1000 series 5-speed & 6-speed automatic transmissions. Our professionally written product coverage and bulletin board discussion forum will have the latest information concerning the LB7, LLY, LBZ, & LMM Duramax diesel engines, as well as product reviews covering electronic upgrades such as chips, tuners, and programmers.

Some of the 1980's GM Medium duty trucks and buses recieved an 8.2 Detroit engine.

I wish the 6.2/6.5 thing would not have come up...

They are not "Detroit Diesels", try going to your local two stroke Detroit diesel parts suppler, or even big truck 4 cycle Detroit dealer, you will have a hard time finding 6.2 and 6.5 parts.

The 6.2 and 6.5 were made by GM, but again, not really related to the original "GM Diesel" who made the two cycles, same company yes, but not the same..

Grigg

Even the old V-6 Toro-Flows and the newer 6.2's and 6.5's were made by the same company, but are completely different engines and were also not considered "Detroits", altho I have heard some mistakenly call a Toro-Flow a Detroit.

Bill

Name change from "General Motors Diesel", to "Detroit Diesel", occured in 1965.

Thanks to all for the great info.

http://www.detroitdiesel.com/about/history.aspx
So according to this article http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FZX/is_n10_v64/ai_21238820 we are all correct.
Sorry you did not want to read about Detriot Diesel.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FZX/is_3_65/ai_54422728
But that was the question.

They were also known as "Screamin' Jimmy", and a lot of names I'd get banned for repeating here! You'll also find the 2-cycle diesels referred to by their cylinder displacement and arrangement, such as a "6-71" (6-cylinder inline, 71 cubic inches per cylinder), or horsepower rating, "238" (same 6-71, set to produce 238 HP). The 8V-71 is a V-8 arrangement of 71 cube cylinders, in power ratings like 290, 318, 335, and 350 HP versions. The fuel injector nozzle size, max RPM setting and with or without a turbocharger changed the horsepower of the same 568 cubic inch engine.

Then there's the 1,2,3,4 and 6-cylinder inlines, with cylinder displacements of 53 or 71 cubes, a 6V-53, 6V-71, and 6V-92 engine, plus an 8V-92 model.

Then there are the big ones, marine engines up to V-16, with cylinders of 100+ cubes.

Confused yet?
Jerry

Number of cylinders, all inline unless followed by a "V", then V-type

51 series: 2, 4
53 series: 2, 3, 4, 6V, 8V, 12V
71 series: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 6V, 8V, 12V, 16V, 24V
92 series: 6V, 8V, 12V, 16V
110 series: 6
149 series: 8V, 12V, 16V, 20V

I am sure these are right, but I may have left off a 20V or 24V on some, as I don't know for sure if they were made in some of the series.

Engines bigger than 149 series are not really "Detroit Diesels" but made by the "Electromotive" division of GM, not sure who owns them now, or if they are on their own? These big ones are primarily used by railroad, marine, and power generators.

Grigg

Grigg somewhere in all these Detroit post someone had posted a link to a site I think was Detroit owned it listed them all with all their optional hores power ratings neat site.
I think you have seen this picture before but the Pete in this shot is a one of a kind truck the nose is 6" longer than a long nose Pete and a few inches wider too. It has a 12V 92 in it and has two 6V 92 blowers and four turbos the HP rating was over 650
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2076701080096773078TXjCpO

Just to get things truly off topic. The worlds largest engine is a two stroke diesel.

http://cellar.org/iotd.php?threadid=11609

Does that mean it's a "Detroit Diesel"? Let's see you shoehorn this one into your bolt Grigg! (smile)

Yes to the "screamin' Jimmy" name. I've run trucks with those things at full horsepower on a chassis dynamometer- the engine noise alone will drive everyone out of the building. Add lug tires to the truck and you will clear the neighborhood.

Harvester