Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Rmv'd the head and trans, need advice

[NIsaacs]

Sounds like a good choice, you haul lotsa miles in a year.



I will mention this and it may or may not apply, depends on the builder. Factory Cummins engines and factory piston/liner kits (don't apply to us) seem to have the perfect amount of clearance built in. Some after market kits do not. If your block needs bored and even if you use the Cummins pistons, the clearance is critical, even on a stock engine. The more miles the engine has, the more fuel you can stuff into it and the higher the EGT you can maintain. A tight engine can be short lived and all the normal engine operating parameters don't apply.



Nick

 

[hsmith]

Gary, I have a 13" flywheel to go with that used clutch if someone wants to make a set.

 

[NIsaacs]

We need updates on the rebuild



Nick

 

[GAmes]

We need updates on the rebuild



Nick

LOL, haven't you heard, patience is a virtue (I just told that to my dispatcher yesterday:-laf) The shop didn't bother to check servicability of my PDR cam until assy time. It has one bad lobe with only 444k and change on it I'm giving them a second chance and awaiting another one. I'm hoping it will come in today, take it to the shop tomorrow and maybe get the engine back on Friday. I too am awaiting news if it needed to be bored out, etc.

 

[HBarlow]

Gary,

Who is rebuilding your engine?

 

[GAmes]

Machine Shop Waco, TX - Crankshaft & Valve Service



I was referred to them by the Cummins shop in Temple. They do all the machine work for the Temple shop.

 

[HBarlow]

Do you know yet if the rebuild will require boring and pistons?

 

[GAmes]

Getting new pistons regardless. Same price for the oversize if needed. NO cam today Another day (at least) delay. I'll find out more when I deliver the cam to them.

 

[HBarlow]

You'll have another 800,000 miles of service when the overhaul is finished. Think the old Dodge can handle another 800k?

 

[NIsaacs]

LOL, haven't you heard, patience is a virtue



Sorry, thats one thing I am short on, thats why I never go fishing



Are you going to install the transmission first or the engine first?



Nick

 

[hsmith]

Gary, I'm curious if all the piston cooling nozzles were still intact?

 

[GAmes]

You'll have another 800,000 miles of service when the overhaul is finished. Think the old Dodge can handle another 800k?

The rest of the truck is hanging in there, but I'm not sure I can do another 800:-laf I have 113k to go to get a million, and 15 months to draw full SS with no penalties. I also want to hit 500k logged pulling miles. I'm a little over 400k there IIRC. Next June is when I make the decision to keep at it or fully retire. I do have other projects and trips on my bucket list.

 

[GAmes]

LOL, haven't you heard, patience is a virtue



Sorry, thats one thing I am short on, thats why I never go fishing



Are you going to install the transmission first or the engine first?

I fish competitively, something I miss from the job I have.



Engine first, but not fully bolted in. Tipped back a little to facilitate sliding the trans on because it hits the floorboard.

Gary, I'm curious if all the piston cooling nozzles were still intact?

I am curious also. Got the cam in today, so will find out tomorrow.

 

[HBarlow]

Gary,

I fully understand about your personal mileage limit. I felt like I reached mine back in October 2007 when I packed it in and pulled my old trailer home from Indiana. It took me a few months to get over the road addiction!

 

[GAmes]

I don't think I'll ever get over the road addiction. I was doing road trips while on active duty, then fulltimed until Jenny got tired of the road. I'm looking for a 25-29 ft 5er, one slide, that I can double with my boat. Can't get rid of the McKenzie since the wife is spoiled to the floor space. Another reason to work a little longer.

 

[GAmes]

Gary, I'm curious if all the piston cooling nozzles were still intact?

Yes they were. According to the guy in the shop, if they were broken or missing the problems would show up quickly. Galled, then melted piston.

 

[NIsaacs]

Yup, the throw out bearing only has 100k on it. It was making a squeaking sound, like a bad bearing in a fan motor (which is what I thought it was at first). I isolated it by putting just a little pressure on the clutch pedal, and the noise would go away. The bearing assy was in two pieces, the seal and part of the inside snap ring laying on the bottom of the bell housing. I'll post a picture of it later.





My oldest son just had the same thing happen, his was in three pieces. '06 with 70k on a sbc twin disk. The clutch was fine.



Nick

 

[NIsaacs]

Gary, I just noticed in your sig. you might be having problems with your new rebuild?

Nick

 

[GAmes]

Gary, I just noticed in your sig. you might be having problems with your new rebuild?



Nick

It started out when the head gasket started leaking with less than 5000 miles on the engine. I was in Rapid City, SD and the shop wouldn't even consider paying for an out of town repair. In fact, they wanted me to pull the engine and return it to them to replace the gasket. Now with nearly 50k the rings haven't seated and I'm using, and have been using all along, a qt of oil every 400 to 500 miles. I have another engine, just have been procrastinating on getting started on another rebuild. This time I'll do it myself and use a different machine shop.