Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Rebuild and beef her up!

[Jfam]

So my 1994 has proven to be a very loyal companion. At 318,000 I did have to replace the high pressure pump a while ago, which I got out of Canada from a TDR reference. It has been great. Prior to discovering the real problem I replaced the low pressure pump. I also replaced 4 TPS units over the years and the current one is operating fine. Chrysler replaced the transmission at under warranty (automatic). I am convinced it was sabotaged by the dealer as I brought it in several times. It was only the TPS as it turned out. She runs as good as new and (unlike most women... sorry ladies I am sure you can say the same for men is always there for me. Anyway, I am now retired and have the $ to treat her right. I have had it painted and it really looks almost new. But I want to have the engine rebuilt and brought up to the 350 hp range. I have a Mag High Tech cover on the transmission pan and have had a TFOD diesel shift kit installed.

So I would like her rebuilt to ~350 specs and the transmission modified to handle it (rear if needed). Money not a problem, but I would like to do a one-stop shopping deal. Suggestions appreciated. PS Joe G. has always been an awesome help. Anyone have recommendations where to have the work done?

 

[HHhuntitall]

Where are you located?

 

[Jfam]

Western North Carolina (Lenoir)

 

[HHhuntitall]

These guys are in Kentucky, and I have seen some of their work... appear to be pretty good: http://www.thoroughbreddiesel.com/shop.htm



These guys are in my rolodex for whatever reason... . Don't know anything about them: http://www.performancedieselsc.com/Products.html



All I got on that end of the country. Hopefully, someone else will chime in on some of them. You might do a search on some of the threads with your state in part of the search query.....



As for bringing her up to power spec..... I'd have a compression check done, and if she's good, bump the pump a little and enjoy that until she starts to use oil or the transmission give up, then go for the major overhaul... . JMO. Maximize what you have, kinda thought.

 

[Jfam]

Thanks for the tips. will check it. At 69, don't know how much "quality" time I have left, so probably go ahead and have the work done as soon as I find a place I feel comfortable with...

 

[Axtell3]

As long as you have been doing the oil changes and filters etc, I'd say it would be ideal for the route Huntitall says. Do some light mods to fueling and Turbo, tune the transmission a little and your endless supply of money can be spent pimpin' the looks, and suspension, replacing the tires you are about to spin!

Enjoy the time I'm sure you earned it.

 

[KB0OU]

Why rebuild a good engine??

I have 420,000 on mine, I see no need to rebuild it.

 

[Jfam]

There is no logical or mechanical need to rebuild it. Most human decisions are not logical. (See a great article in "Motor Minded" in issue 78 of TDR by psychologist Mark Barnes, page 76) It is an emotional need, for lack of a better term. Why does anyone bring a stock engine up to 350 or more h. p? Because it's fun to cruise around in such a sleeper beast. That's all there is to it! Having said that, I would still like to find a good shop to do the work...

 

[Bob4x4]

Which injection pump did you buy?They are available out of the box to put out more fuel than you could ever burn on the street

 

[Jfam]

Well, I can't say exactly right now what pump mods I got I got it form Piers Diesel in Canada (which is now Peaks I think. ) I spoke with the Piers himself at the time and he correctly diagnosed the problem. I told him I wanted a slightly beefed up pump. I could maybe research it and find out exactly what he sent me. I also want the various oil leaks fixed. They are not much, but I would like to see a no leak engine...

 

[Jfam]

One other for the rebuild is that I never had the KDP fix. While I don't think it will fail at this point, it is just another reason (this time logical?) for the rebuild...

 

[HHhuntitall]

Well, to me, that's only a reason to pull the front cover... . and just because it hasn't fallen out yet, doesn't mean it can't. If you go to demanding more from your pump, you're going to be demanding more strength from the accessory drive, which will make it want to work it's way out faster.....



Obviously, it's your money, you do what you want!! But, for me, I'd just do the compression check and put the pump on... . If it's got good compression, doesn't use any oil, the stock filters have been in it, and you've maintained it properly, chances are, it'll run a long time on the original bearings and rings, even if you bump it up to 400+hp..... Just what I've seen, owning many of these trucks over the years, and working on countless others..... Saying that, if you want to make it a fire-breathing, smoke-belching monster, then you might be on the right track.



Piers has sold his original company, Piers Diesel Research, and now works for Peak diesel, if I've been told correctly. I spoke with him, myself, a few weeks ago, and ordered a camshaft. Scuttlebut is that he signed a non-compete clause in the sale, so he's working for another company... ..... I do know that purple colored 79? Ford F-250 CrewCab he had was awesome!!! If they weren't so far away, I'd say they were an excellent choice to work on your truck.....

 

[Jfam]

When I retired someone told me: "Every day is Saturday and every night is Saturday night. " So I can travel, but 3,000 plus miles is not worth it (if that's what we are talking). I am in touch with Piers and he is going to send me a shop recommendation. Actually, she does use oil, though not much for 319K, and the pan has a slight leak. I have an OCD about leaks and neatness I am a little surprised that some shop has not responded to this thread. Seems like all the owners do their own work.

 

[HHhuntitall]

If you were in Texas, I'd say bring it by..... I'd be happy to make you happy with your truck!! I love jobs like that, as it's fun to spend your money. And I don't say that sarcastically... .



I think the problem is your location. Apparently, there's not a lot of people from your area that have a good diesel shop. Maybe there's not one nearby, and a good shop is hard to find. I fix people's foul-ups daily, sometimes, and it's not uncommon for the local dealer to call me asking to help them with an older truck. Most the techs were in JR High or elementary when they were built, and you can't tell much by plugging in your scanner on a 12v... . I'm sure Mr. Piers will give you a straight answer before long... .



Oh, and trust me, I understand about the OCD thing!! I hate oil leaks!! That's how I got started working on these things to begin with!!!



Nice paint, by the way. Clean looking ride. I like it... .

 

[CESpitz]

Can you tell me what good compression is I have a 95 that has 350lb I live at 5000ft and the engine was cold at the time.
does altitude and temp effect results
THANKS IN ADVANCE for any info

 

[HHhuntitall]

Yes, both effect compression!! The colder the piston, the more gap the rings have to take up!! That's why they miss and blow white smoke when starting in really cold weather. Altitude reduces air density, so the higher you are, the less compression you can develope without boost, hence the reason turbo'd engines run better in altitude vs. naturally aspirated engines. If you are having readings of 350psi, and it's holding it for very long, you are doing well. Cummins actually tests blowby, instead of compression, as many other manufacturers do, as Cummins run such a high compression ratio, most guages don't read it very well..... I can't go into details, as I can't remember all the numbers, but basically, you can make your own blowby tester out of some pipe and water... . a thread I've read before is here: http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/89-93-powertrain/3319-compression-5-9-6bt-engine.html



And that's not to say you can't test it with a high pressure guage! If you do it that way, you should have similar numbers on all cylinders... . And different models of engines will have higher and lower numbers. An '03+ has a higher compression ratio than a 12v..... An HO engine has higher compression ratio than some other models, as well.....

 

[Jfam]

To HHhuntail: Well, Texas ain't that far away!! Wouldn't want to come by in the summer, however. If you are serious, and Piers cannot help, let me know... . joe fam

 

[SFPADGETT]

I would recommend Jeff Garmon, GArmon Diesel Performance, Griffin, GA 404-557-4972 -- email address removed --

 

[SFPADGETT]

I would recommend Jeff Garmon, GArmon Diesel Performance, Griffin, GA 404-557-4972 -- email address removed --

 

[SFPADGETT]

I would recommend Jeff Garmon, GArmon Diesel Performance, Griffin, GA 404-557-4972 -- email address removed --