Exhaust brakes and valve springs?

["Mad Max"]

... alright - Along with everything else I'm doing on this rig I'm also going to install an exhaust brake, and the question is which one do y'all like, and do I have to R&R the valve springs?



I've read about the BD brake and the PacBrake, and I'm not partial - what are y'all's experiences with them?



Exhaust valve spring upgrade, Y or N?



The engine will have ~ 250k miles on her when I do all this, and I'm wondering if I should also just have 'er re-ringed and have the head done in the process, or just go by if it ain't broke, don't fix it? It has some minor leaks and I;m going to fix those, but if I can avoid cracking open the engine I'll wait (save for the KDP - that's getting dead)



Thoughts?



- Gonzo

 

[CumminsPower98]

I have not personally seen a pac brake but I have installed a BD unit and it is well built and works great. I have also installed a Jacobs brake, which is also well built but for some reason in my case didn't seem to retard as well as the BD. You will get better retarding if you install the stiffer exhaust springs. Leave the engine together unless there is something wrong or you are just bored.

 

[CDegner]

Hey Sam,

I just recently redid my top end at 249K. I had a head gasket that was leaking coolant somewhere (not into the oil and not onto the outside of the engine). When I pulled the head, I was really surprised at the condition of the cylinders. The hone marks were visible all the way around all cylinders and there was not even a hint of a ridge at the top. I had the head reworked, installed HD springs and put here back together (along with a few other mods).



AS 98 said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It's OK to pull the head and have it cleaned up, put the HD springs on (from what I understand, you need them on the exhaust side only with the brake so put them on all 12 valves ), install a 3200 spring and put here back together!. I'd stay out of the block unless you find other problems when the head comes off.



JUst my own $0. 02



Carl

 

[Philip]

'93 D250 Club/LE CTD/auto-od/3. 54's

If this is the truck your thinking of installing it in. An exhaust brake doesn't work with a nonlock up converter like the 518 uses.

 

["Mad Max"]

roger that -

All good advice fellas, thanks. Phil, thanks for the clarification - I'll actually be using an A618 2nd gen transmission with lockup - should be good to go. You are right, converter is pretty much everything with these trucks. Power is nice, but if you can't get it to the ground yer just losing power.



Sounds like I have to replace the springs with the x-brake - s'okay with me - will give me a chance to get in and look at the cylinders and have the head cleaned and ported, etc.



- Gonzo

 

[CumminsPower98]

No need to remove the head to change springs but if you are going to have it ported then that's fine. I have done springs on one truck with the head in place using the K-D tool from Napa and it worked out just fine.