First tow with new engine rebuild

[EricBu12]

As you might have read on another post, I had the 53 crack and decided to replace the block.....



Well, last weekend was the first heavy tow with that engine... I have a used 01 mexican block that got bored over to . 020 over so new pistons... Had used crank and cam so polished the journals... for the over bore, the mechanic said this might make it prone to heat up quicker and I would say it does when pulling a hill... . but I just put on the Horton fan and clutch so when it is on, it is one to one and is able to cool the engine even when I am still putting my foot into it... .



I also got a new clutch. . A LUK 2 sided clutch with the ferous and friction sides. this seems so far to be a good clutch for towing... I had just a while ago gotten a hybrid turbo (hx 35/40) and this sems to do more work with less pressure and less EGT's... . On a hard hill, I push maybe 30-35 psi and maximize at 1000 post turbo... I looked at my old pistons after doing these temps and the pistons were perfect so I know it is OK... .



The power is wonderfull and I am seeing pretty good mileage for being just rebuilt... . gonna go 2 K and change the oil to remove any machining crap and dirt and go from there... . I think I can get 12 MPG towing after it is broke in and get the synthetic oil I was using before... (valvoline prem. blu etreme 5w- 40 full synthetic).....



A little over a week from now I am going to Nevada with my trailer so more chances to break in the engine...



Gotta rebuild the transmission now because 5th gear is clashing like there is no synchro and they don't make this trans anymore so might as well make it like new... .

 

[nps]

Congrats on the new motor. Get the transmission done and it will be just like a new truck.



What size housing are you using on your HX35/40? Does it use your std downpipe and how does it spool compared to your stock HX35?



Since going to a heavier trailer I notice my EGTs are higher on a pull up a hill and I have to keep my foot out of it to keep them in check. I'm looking for some more air, but don't want to sacrafice the spoolup.

 

[EricBu12]

The hybrid I bought has a 14 cm housing... this is the same outside as my stock turbo so I was able to use the Jacobs brake I have...



I don't notice much of a difference on the spool... I was expecting more of a lag but that hasn't happened. I notice I am able to push the throttle moreand have the same EGT #'s but like I said with less psi and less egt per throttle input. I am now able to have both of my fueling boxes on and push hard in 5th gear and the EGT is like 1100 at best... . oh and nice stream of smoke out the back!!



get one! it is great for towing

 

[RTillery]

Congratulations on bringing her back to life. It is a great feeling when you go from that doubtful feeling with a new motor to the confidence that grows with every strong running mile. What shop did you have do the machine work?

 

[EricBu12]

The machining was done out of house where the truck was done so I don't know the name of the shop... . the truck was at "Davies Motor Co. in springville, ut.



had problems with my redone crankcase breather... I think I drilled the hole too big and thfirewall was pushing on it... . so I had to put the stock style back on and JB weld a plate over the old hole... Now I am going to get one of those powdercoated nice cover and see what I can do then. gonna get a blue one to match the blue silicone hoses I have... .

 

[moparguy]

Eric, good job and good luck. Just a personal thing here. On a rebuild, I'll change oil after the first hundred miles or so. My thinking is the new oil has picked up all the gunk by then, and it should have been filtered out. But I go ahead and change then.



Knowing I'm gonna change it so quick, I always buy cheap oil, since it's new, based on what I've read, it's gonna do a good job. The real test of a quality oil and additive package shows up in the later half of life in your engine.



good luck, RR

 

[EricBu12]

Have over 500 miles so far on this and I do have a pretty good oil in it right now... I bought the regular valvoline prem blue 15w- 40 oil. I don't know if I will have time to change it before we go to nevada next weekend but that will only be a few hundred more so maybe the weekend after the trip I will...



Just had the windshield replaced from a chip that made it crack across the bottom so I am able to see where I am going now... . Body panels and underside still look new thanks to my painting and undercoating I have done over the years... . maybe I will try to go to 20 years and see if this will hold together... . Sometime later a repaint will be in order as some of the fender flares are peeling the clearcoat (mopar ones) ...

 

[Regcabguy]

Cummins letdown.

Yeah,best of luck Eric. You've been through the wringer with the "53". A guy like you with excellent maintenance should have gotten a call from Cummins offering to help out on the bill, but no dice I guess. It seems like they'd take it case by case but obviously that's not going to happen. Outsourcing of labor to other 3rd world countries is inevitable I suppose but you've got to own up to product failures. It's the decent thing to do. It appears you connected with a respectable shop,good for those guys. They deserve the plug.

 

[Joe Mc]

Yo - Kelly - Hows that new air pump working out?

 

[kelly4463]

Eric good luck with the new motor,i just got my truck back on the road to day Oo. it was down for two weeks