how to tell if its a HO motor, & ?'s about an 03

[MxerChris]

Hey guys I'm still trying to get back in a Cummins, I'm looking at an 03 3500 QC drw w/6 speed. My question is how can I tell if its an HO motor and what are any potential concerns with an 03, the truck has 106K on it. Everything looks real clean except a slight oil leak at the front of the oil pan (is this common/easy to fix?). Thanks for any input.

 

[Tomeygun]

Hey guys I'm still trying to get back in a Cummins, I'm looking at an 03 3500 QC drw w/6 speed. My question is how can I tell if its an HO motor and what are any potential concerns with an 03, the truck has 106K on it. Everything looks real clean except a slight oil leak at the front of the oil pan (is this common/easy to fix?). Thanks for any input.

the 6-spd means its an HO (unless it was swapped after the fact, which would be very expensive)



More proof an be found on drivers side valve cover - there is a sticker with HP numbers...

 

[BHolm]

If making sure it is an HO is important, check the valve cover sticker, do not rely on what transmission is in it. I know you could get an SO with a 47 OR 48re trans. Maybe the above is correct and six speed only came with HO's but I would guess that if you could get a HD auto behind an SO, you may have been able to get a HD manual with it too.

 

[ASchwartz]

The manuals on the SO were 5 speeds. The 6 speed is an HO. I have no problems with mine, very happy with it.

 

[JHardwick]

When I ordered my '03, you had to get the 6spd with the HO.

But, just look at the valve cover, it should say 305hp.

 

[BHolm]

When I ordered my '03, you had to get the 6spd with the HO.



But, just look at the valve cover, it should say 305hp.

Right, but could you order the six speed with the SO? I know on the second gens it was a forced deal. Just wondering if because you could get the SO with a 47re or 48re if you could also have it with a 5sp or 6sp.



Still, just check the sticker

 

[Tomeygun]

Right, but could you order the six speed with the SO? I know on the second gens it was a forced deal. Just wondering if because you could get the SO with a 47re or 48re if you could also have it with a 5sp or 6sp.



Still, just check the sticker

As it pertains to 3rd gens:

SO with either auto, yes

SO with a NV5600, not available...



I was the first to order an SO at my dealership, and the only way to get the nv5600 was with an HO and the extra $1100



Thus why I took the NV4500 and the $1100 I started modding

 

[STEVEBROOKS]

Thanks to the members of the TDR, I prevented a problem with my 03 that the one you're looking at might have. On the radiator-side of the fan shroud, at the lower left (ie, passenger side) corner, there's a extension of the shroud that might be rubbing on the radiator itself. I moved that corner away from the radiator by splitting a small piece of fuel hose and slipping it onto the shroud. It's still OK as of today. Also, check the upper alternator mount bracket for cracking.



Steve

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The thing that can rub the radiator is the temperature sensor for the fan clutch. The early stamped steel alternator mounts (bolting to the cylinder head) are the ones that tended to crack. The later cast iron mounts have not been prone to cracking.