Tasty Taillights
September 26, 2022
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THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
CAMARO FAVORITE
First-generation Camaros are all the rage these days, and no wonder. With so many ways to bring them into a new era, they make great selections. So, while the big-block power and a five-speed trans served owner Gary Johnson well over the years, rocketing gas prices led him to a more efficient LS2 option.
Remembering When
When Ricardo Lopez began building this 1955 Chevy he had some help, as well as a plan. In the beginning, this little Chevy pickup was to provide an excellent chance for Ricardo to spend some time with his son, Ricky, and to be able to show the boy some of the tricks that he had learned over the many years he had worked as a customizer, bodyman and painter. As owner of Paint By Lopez in Compton, California, Ricardo had hopes of his boy taking over for him in the years to come, maybe even calling the shop Paint By Lopez & Son. Unfortunately, Ricky was taken from Ricardo and his wife, Monica, in a freak accident. At first Ricardo was going to sell the truck, as the sight of it was almost too much to bear. But upon reflection he changed his mind. Ricardo thought that finishing the project was not only a perfect way to work through his grief, but it would also give him a chance to feel connected to the son he had lost. When the Chevy was completed, it would be a way to honor Ricky’s memory.
Inferno
Builders Joe Keenum and Dan Ehle are best friends and business partners. Initially drawn together by their love for classic cars and trucks, the two have created a number of super rods and classic trucks over the years out of their shop in Leighton, Alabama. Keenum and Company has built trucks that compete with the best of the top-name builders in the country. Producing upwards of a dozen custom vehicles a year, the duo decided it was time to go it a bit further and build a radical shop truck that would showcase the expert craftsmanship the shop is capable of producing.
After running across this 1972 Chevrolet 1/2-ton pickup in early 2006, they felt this was the classic truck that would make the ideal candidate for the project they had in mind. 0nce Keenum and Ehle acquired the truck, they began the extensive build. The truck was a nice driver, and the previous owner performed a rather simple hot rod restoration, leaving the truck on the frame and updating a few of the components here and there. However, Keenum and Company had other plans for this classic.
Spotlighter
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Dieselsite’s 1992-2000 6.5L Chevy/GMC All-Aluminum Radiator
Brand new! All-aluminum radiator with a 2 row core with 48 tubes per row
If you have a 1992-2000 Chevrolet or GMC with a 6.5L and you’re worried about overheating issues, there’s no reason to sweat it. Our friends at Dieselsite have the solution.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Squarebody trucks have been some of the hottest trucks out there in the collector market for some time, with the next generation OBS trucks (GMT400) not far behind. Don’t just take our word for it. In a 2022 article from Hagerty, Chevy GMT400s trucks have increased in value by 63% over the last three years, while their GMC’s counterparts are up 52%. Overall, these are outstanding trucks however, they do have their issues.
In 1992, the 6.5 L (395 cu in) was introduced to replace the 6.2. These engines had a common issue with overheating. This was mainly due to how the engines were designed, struggling to manage heat, especially when towing heavy loads or in hot weather. Problems with the cooling system, like small radiators or faulty thermostats, made things worse. Despite attempts to fix it in later models, overheating continued to be a big headache for owners.
If you have a Chevy or GMC with one of these engines, and you’re worried about overheating issues, there’s no reason to sweat it. Our friends at Dieselsite have the solution.
Deiselsite’s 1992-2000 6.5L Chevy/GMC All-Aluminum Radiator
Brand new! All-aluminum radiator with a 2 row core with 48 tubes per row. The ultimate in heat exchange, designed to address the overheating issues with the Chevy and GMC 6.5L platform. All connections are TIG welded for superior strength and clean design. Combine with the Heath Diesel Super Cool Kit and Evans Waterless Coolant for the ultimate protection!
In the OE application the heater core fluid returns after the radiator so it never gets a chance to be cooled. Unfortunately, this hot coolant goes right back into your engine. Our fully aluminum radiator features an innovative hot side return port to addressthe issue. This way the hot fluid will return before the radiator so it can be properly cooled, helping with many long term heating issues known to plague the 6.5L engines. A simple change to save you time, money and give you peace of mind!
~To take advantage of this feature simply attach an extra length of coolant hose to your OE return line using a barbed mender, then move it to this new port. Plug up the old port and you’re good to go!
To learn more, CLICK HERE or go to Dieselsite.com
ARTICLE SOURCES
Dieselsite
7400 West Industrial Lane
Homosassa, FL 34448
888/414-3457
