Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Now, what do I do?

[NScott]

Well, I finally got the head off today, just as I suspected, #3 piston is melted and galled. The pump was set at stock, stock turbo, stock everything... maybe a piston cooling nozzle stopped up. . what do you guys think? I have no idea why the #3 piston melted! It has scored the #3 cylinder walls somewhat. I haven't checked the head for warpage or cracks, but I would'nt be surprised if it wasn't also damaged. Now comes decision time. Which way do I go about repairing/replacing this engine?

Do I:

A. Take the block out, strip it, bore the one damaged cylinder and install the thin wall repair sleeve? I know this will involve stripping the engine completely and buying all new parts to "build " the engine. This way I will know what I've got when finished, but it will take longer and involve running around after various parts, etc.

B. Go for the quick fix. Buy a used complete engine out of a salvage yard? I have found some for around $2k complete from pump to turbo. Most need a new oil pan from damage in the various wrecks these trucks were involved in. I have found a 96' and a 97' currently that have around 100k miles. These prices were straight out- no core. Probably go ahead and pull the timing cover and tab the KDP before the install.

C. Go to Cummins and buy either as complete of a long block as possible to make the repair. Do they bore and sleeve their reman blocks and use standard size pistons? Or do they bore the block and just install oversize pistons?

D. Go to Cummins and just buy a reman short block to make the repair. Also same questions as in C above.



We will be using this truck as a work truck and it probably will not be bombed. If it is it will be only very slightly-- just for load pulling purposes only, if at all. The truck has a very good body, but it does have 213k miles (+-) and has always been used as a service truck.

Does anybody have the part numbers for any of the items in the repairs I have proposed? Namely:

1 The service cylinder repair sleeve?

2 The reman short block part #?

3 The reman long block part #?

4 Any other part #'s that you think I need to consider or

other parts that I may need?



All feedback appreciated on this decision I will be making.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Which truck?



Trent

 

[1tuffram]

Might want to check out the thread "I burned up my engine today" in the 24v forum.

 

[PUMPERDUDE]

I remember reading a post where a bad injector toasted a cylinder/piston. I'd say injector..... I don't know if lack of a cooling nozzle would melt the top of the piston.

 

[NScott]

It is a 96' 3500 C&C 5 spd, 4:10 gears

 

[NScott]

Well, I finally found what I think is a decent complete engine. I bought it out of a salvage yard, It came out of a wrecked 97' 2500 4X4. It was an automatic, but mine is a 5 spd. and this brings me to the next question: The crankshaft on the automatics are not drilled in the end to accept the pilot bearing or bushing.



1. What size drill does one use to drill the crank for the bearing?

2. Is there any drilling fixtures manufactured or homemade that will hold the drill bit exactly at a 90* angle for this procedure?

3. How deep does the hole need to be? Does anybody have the specs for this machining?



Any help from anyone that has run across this machine work that is needed will be appreciated.

 

[Deezul1]

I cant remember for sure but I think the pilot bearing is located in the flywheel.

 

[DSiemens]

The pilot bearing is located in the flywheel.

 

[NScott]

Thanks guys. I knew that members here would know exactly what the real deal was regarding the pilot bearing. I don't have it pulled yet and I was'nt sure. They guy at the salvage just told me that info. It came up on his computer when he was making out the sales ticket. I guess this proves that everything that is in the computers is'nt always right!