Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) New engine is in and running fine

[pathaymond]

After alot of hard work and greasy nights my blown engine is now breathing fire again. #6 was shot and the rest were not far behind it all new pistons were installed. I just started taking it down and replaced every part in the engine except the cam and the crank which checked out to be just fine. I set the timming to 14* which is stock and had the pump totaly rebuilt to stock plus 20% Injectors were rebuilt also. this thing runs fantastic!! never was this good. I plan to advance the timming to 15 or 16 after 10K miles. and thats it no more tweaking or tuning. that will keep me within the design specs of the Cummins engineers. I have to thank several friends who were willing to help me get things right. its been 5 weeks since she blew and while I am proud to say I did it. I have a new respect for this engine and its design. Hats off to all you proffesional mechanics You do have a very difficult but rewarding daily grind. From now on No one will touch my engine. if it blows again it will be my fault and not my fault for trusting others. I do have a question I have read about a 37 block. I am afraid after all of this I may have one!! I see some stamping on the block drivers side that has some other symbols and 3 7 are part of the numbers or symbols. do I have a 37? I will go look again at the exact numbers or symbols. Thanks for the input.

 

[WadePatton]

What caused the blow?



Or have we hashed this out already?



Seems like it always starts at #6.



AND congratulations on a big job done by yourdangself. Warrantee SCHMARRANTEE--who needs 'em?

 

[pathaymond]

Wade,

The blow in my opinion was caused by alot of bad people doing bad things to my truck from the dealer @ 30K with a major oil leak that required a pull of the engine to more recent individuals that are supposed mechanics and performance experts. I put trust in way to many experts that likly were more interested in there own egos rather than my requests for a little more power and performance while maintaining the integrity of the engines design. Hence @ 103K she blew. My opinion is that poor timming procedures and way to much fuel was or were the culprits. I must also add that this engine was never right. since my purchase @ 28K miles it was not right. Great truck with a defective engine. anyway Its all good now if it needed it it got it done if it didnt need it it was checked for sure. It really was not that hard of a job just tedious and at times frustrating. But I am a Master Carpenter by trade so tedious things are a way of life for me. It was fun and at times a nightmare but I learned so much about these mighty engines in my first and hope last time At a rebuild. Again I have to thank those that helped me with my task I would have been sunk without there ability to provide me with there invaluable skills. And if I do say so myself This engine will stand the test of time because I took the time and put the pride into my work. And while the Tappet cover was a total bummer to redo the engine does not leak a single drop of anything anywhere. Ok I am done patting my back.

 

[illflem]

Good job!

Want to do mine when I hit 500k?

 

[WadePatton]

Two comments:

Where is Waleska GA? If'n it's north GA then we might cross trails sometime.



Master Carpenter--I spent the day reworking a bunk bed set up. The first fix was making 16 "bushings" from conduit so that the nut wasn't pulled lengthwise through the grain. The second was trimming tenons down to actually fit the motises on two rails that had obviously been replaced. I'll explain if necessary, and making new "hooks" for the ladder is next. Lucky for me that's mostly a metal job. I like metal working much more than wood.



OKAY OKAY, three comments. I, like Illflem, can't wait to pull mine down at 3 or 4 or 500K and freshen her up and do the magic head work and add the latest Donnelly/DD camshaft and all those other nasty little details. Might ceramic top and teflon skirt the pistons while I'm in there...

 

[pathaymond]

Waleska is in north Georgia not far off the 75 interstate our claim to fame is a college called Rienhardt. Alot of foreign students go here for schooling I guess there parents think they are safer here. They may very well be but as any of you know that live in the southern area there is no place sacred from growth and development. No I would prefer not to delve into the cummins again of course there is always that exception. I hear you on the options when an engine is down. I decided just to go back toward the original stock specs as close as I could stand anyway. Longevity is key for me and well I am not to happy with the longevity of my second cummins first one being a 93 with 500K and still running strong when I aquired my problem child.

I may keep my ears open for a blown engine that I could pick up and do some fun things with. (I am sure shop X off 285 will manage to destroy a few more for good folks) I am just happy now to have a way to move my skid loader around and pull the camper to our fav get away.

I love any challenge regarding wood. I have a full shop and am always looking for a nice restoration job.

My living comes from creating custom log and conventional homes for customers mostly on the side of the mountains we have here In North Georgia.

Wade I always have my cap on the dodge it has my logo and Name in white letters on the door and windows. Hope I run into you one day. not literally but you get my meaning.

Illflem is one here that you can count on for good solid info. Thanks for the thumbs up.

 

[WMonroe]

Congrats on getting your truck back out on the road.

 

[Deezul1]

I believe the block # that has been a problem is a #53

 

[Honey]

who did u go to to get ya engine parts and what did u do with the head as far as work done on it

 

[Big_Daddy_T]

I have to ask. What did you spend to freshen her up?