Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 12v HEAD COSTS??

[zstroken]

What is a 12V head worth that is ready to bolt on? What should I look for if I am buying one?

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

do u mean a stock head? or an 0-ringed head?

 

[zstroken]

stock head

I meant ready to bolt in by injectors, valves, springs, etc. No grooves cut.

 

[Andy Redmond]

$1800-2000 for a recon unit from Cummins. (no tin or injectors). I'm not sure they offer new ones anymore unless you can find one in a dealers/distrib. stock.



I would source the upper gasket set from Cummins (it contains the following). You'll also need a headgasket and maybe some headbolts, six valve cover gaskets, six rentention bolt o-rings (valve covers), six exhaust manifold gaskets and intake gaskets.



Many TDR vendors offer reconditioned units for much less, PDR (Piers Diesel Research) is one that comes to mind. In the oem and o-ringed configurations.



I've had mixed results with the aftermarket and Cummins salvage heads (vendors which bought overstocks from Cummins).



The very late model Dodge applications likely have seat inserts (96? and 97-98) vs an integral cast valve seat into the cylinder head. Several 96 auto trans truck I mess with recently had the integrated seat design. A machine shop should be able to cut the head to accept a seat or simply change them out depending upon you head style.



Unless its cracked or warped badly most of them can be cleaned up and re-furbished.



Watch for cracking across the seat and through the injector bore. Maybe a cracker jack cast welder could repair this concern, but its iffy and might return.



Good luck

Andy

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I think from Piers they're around $700 but I don't remember if it comes with valves, springs, etc.