Rebuilding a cummin?

[Cumminpwr11]

When should you have a cummins rebuilt? Does anyone know how difficult and expensive this is?







The reason I am asking is my buddy has a 95 reg. cab 4x4 with a auto. he put 260k miles on it mostly unloaded flat highway cruising. He is selling it for 3500. 00 with a blown trans. I know that a trans is gonna cost about 3k for a nice dtt built one. just trying to figure out expenses.





thanks for the help



Chris

 

[Strick-9]

I might be able to shed a little light here.



Piston assemblies

$142 a piece.



rod bearings

each $4. 92



Main bearing set

$67. 25



Upper gasket set

head gasket, turbo gasket, exh. gaskets, valve cover gaskets and o-rings, intake manifold gaskets

$158. 91



Oil pan gasket

$26. 15



Cams are about $380

New gear and retainer bumps that to about $675



These prices are directly from Cummins as of mid March.



-Chris

 

[rhoads]

overhaul

Post states said veh has 260k mi. I have 750 k on mine and no over haul is needed on mine ,oil cump is still where it was a breakin point (finely at 67k) what makes one think Or want to do a overhaul?????????????

Dont tell me he never changed the oil! Or ran with out water!

I didn't payattention but i take it this has a automatic. Rebuilds are standard with normal use(towing but not xxheavy /abuse wt)

Another note if you want to extend the auto life install a under bed or in the box cooler and disconnect the lines running to the factory cooler--the cooler you want has larger lines and sensor (temp) which kicks on two fans to cool fluid and keep at 170 deg. which is needed to extend life. factory set seems to have a built in restriction.

 

[pwknapp]

I've got only 400k of hard running miles and it's not getting rebuilt until it needs it. Just keeping up with the items that need replacing as they start to wear.

 

[pwknapp]

Hey Chris how did you " shed some light " so quick??????????

 

[Cumminpwr11]

was running like a champ when the trans when. I have a 99 24 valve right now, and i still new to the game on how long a diesel will run until it needs rebuilt. Had to rebuild a 350 chevy with 190K on it, so i was gonna wait until 400k to play it safe. But heck if yall have way more than that and its still running strong, i will wait on that rebuild.





Thanks for all the responses





Chris

 

[A Johnson]

I don't have my books handy but one of the best ways to tell is to take a blowby measurement. I can give you the lowdown on it if you want . But basically what the other guys are telling you is true as long as the air intake hasn't gotten dirt in it during its life, and its had regular maintenance. AJJ

 

[Strick-9]

pwknapp,



I've been pricing a lot of parts lately since I have my engine torn down. I'm rebuilding it. I bought everything I listed minus one item.



The money I'm sinking to rebuild this thing is a little depressing.

Don't ask. I'm afraid to add it all up.



-Chris

 

[pwknapp]

Chris I sure feel for you. Last year I was into the transmission about 5 times and it sure adds up fast. Never seem to have enough $$ at the right time to go all the way either. How far have you got with the work?

 

[Strick-9]

pwknapp,

Rebuilding the motor isn't too expensive. Rebuilding it MY way is though.



I've spent the last few days on camshafts. Specing them completely out. Measuring piston/valve clearances with different pistons/head gaskets/ valve lash, max lifter travel, valve spring compression, rocker ratios. Tedious work for no pay let me tell you. Right now, I'm generating computer models to send to cam companies. Measuring a bit of everything and spending hours behind a computer crunching numbers.



I'm going to repeat the process with a marine cam and then get my own design ground. That'll be a lot of fun! I've wanted to build my own cam for quite some time, and now I'm finally doing it.



I doubt it'll be the best out there, but it'll be mine.



I'm just tired of not getting enough air through the motor.



-Chris

 

[jimk]

torque plate

Has any one ever used a torque plate on the cummins to help hone the cylinders? Several years ago I helped a friend of mine on a g gass car ( i think) and he would have his camshafts ground to his spects. He would plot a camshaft with a degree wheel and a dial indicator if he did not have a the spects. I watched him do this a camshaft that was given to him.

The rate of acceleration, from is determined by several things one is tappet size. Chrysler has a bigger lifter that a chev so you can open it faster on flat tappet. Of course roller lifter evens up this disavantage.

I would like to use a marine camshaft also.

lol on the motor JIm

Originally posted by Strick-9

pwknapp,

Rebuilding the motor isn't too expensive. Rebuilding it MY way is though.



I've spent the last few days on camshafts. Specing them completely out. Measuring piston/valve clearances with different pistons/head gaskets/ valve lash, max lifter travel, valve spring compression, rocker ratios. Tedious work for no pay let me tell you. Right now, I'm generating computer models to send to cam companies. Measuring a bit of everything and spending hours behind a computer crunching numbers.



I'm going to repeat the process with a marine cam and then get my own design ground. That'll be a lot of fun! I've wanted to build my own cam for quite some time, and now I'm finally doing it.



I doubt it'll be the best out there, but it'll be mine.



I'm just tired of not getting enough air through the motor.



-Chris

 

[rhoads]

Two worlds

One is overhaul(Return componet to OEM spec's +/-%? due to High use or Misuse) #1 most owner's. or second -third owner.

Then there the compettion use/or desire to improve(build to ones theory) the oem componet(this case eng) but the true test is(both worlds) when it is all over the gauge too measure the results is use(miles/hr's) attained by the action taken/$$ spent.

The second will not come within 500k/175,000 hrs of the of the first case. .

Third- EPA/life to overhaul--This is the same spec's as the day it rolled off the line. . !!!! As stated some where 125k. Est'd!!!

With care/use (our part) & luck (mfg's design & assembly ) There is now reason on earth the every day owner can't expect the cab to roit off the frame (worst case) or before 8. 3 years based on(above avg/per year mpg) 18k & EPA spec's... ... .....

Now for the other buyer's/owners--same care "should" see 1mil miles easy even with common sense improvements . and regular attention too warning signs.

Checked your fan blade lately?????