Chev V8 diesels have a bad reputation for breaking their crank when under load, I have it on reasonable authority that they break their cranks when lugging under load, especially in soft sand, many years ago when I still lived in South Africa I looked at converting a 40 series pick up to one of the chev diesels, we went with a 350 V8 (petrol)
In the day a company called Diesel Dog at Camperdown, Natal, RSA used to specialize in the conversion but they are no more now, but Thundersport, Pinetown, still bring in the engines among other things.
I still fancy a V8 diesel for my 80 if I ever break the engine she has in her, but I will probably be looking for one of the hens teeth cummings truck racing engines.