I was thinking that since I need to replace the oil pan gasket, that I will pull the whole engine, my buddy is a diesel mechanic. Go through the whole engine and replace all the gaskets and seals and everything. Was wondering what you all would suggest I do for sure, and what I should be most worried about? I figure since I have it out, I will do it right. All input would be great. Thanks. I will take pics when this happens and keep you all informed. Plus one last question, about how long will this take? Just a rough Idea. I am planning 4 strait days. Is that enough? Thanks

 

With only 168k, I wouldn't think it needs this just yet. I'm considering it now with old 96_12V, although it's around 341k right now. Good luck if you decide to do it, I'll be interested in the process since I need to do it sometime.

 

I was thinking that since i have the engine mostly out, I would go and replace it all. Then I wouldn't have to do it for awhile again.

 

I think Id just do seals and gasket and paint it up make it look good rebuild would be a waste of time and money unless it been plum ragged I mean ragged like no oil changes and redlined and lugged all the time because when you take that engine apart your probably going to see very little or no wear plus in my opinion the original is better than a rebuilt on if tookin care of Ive seen a 95 12 with 680,000 on it tore down for rebuild and it didnt even show much wear the old man just thought it needed it because of the oil leaks rear seal and valve cover minor stuff probably didnt hurt there he pulled big and heavy every day but 168k waste of money and if you get one bearing clearance or torque wrong you will regret it for sure Seal it put a cam in it or something not a rebuild only my opinion

 

For petes sake, if it ain't broke' don't fix it.

 

Ok cool thanks for the input, reading up on this, and talking to my buddy, I think we have decided to the seals and gaskets. I am getting worried about the head gasket. Any suggestions on which one I should use? Pro's, Con's?

 

168k is nothing to these motors. if you just intend to clean things up all I'd do is inspect for leaks and make sure the KDP is tabbed.
If you intend to run any serious power, boost or drugs on this truck I would strongly suggest ARP studs and o-rings along with a new cummins headgasket.
Theres other options but o-rings and the cummins gasket seem the most reliable for mid-level power.
BTW that rebuild on the trans probably wont last long. The stock build is bad enough on a stock truck. Id look into a DTT or Goerends when it pops.
The valve body might help with higher pressures but the stock clutches are smaller and the billet upgrades inside the aftermarkets' setups are necessary for the extra power.

 

Why take the engine "mostly out"?

I am pretty sure most change oil pans without doing much more than jacking the engine up a bit.

 

I put my Baby in the shop yesterday because the head gasket was seeping. The tech pulled the head today, and we found no ring groove, no scoring, no side to side play in the pistons. Call me a liar, if you want, but Baby has 1,391,000 documented miles, and this is the first time the head has been off. The pan has never been off, still has the original rear main oil seal. If I pull an 18,000# trailer 750 miles a day @ 65 mph, she will use a quart of oil a day. Still cheaper than an overhaul!! My pos 06 Dodge 3500 wasn't as durable as this, and cost twice as much to operate!! Baby's tired, but if she stays together a while longer, I will overhaul her someday in the reasonably near future.

 

Very impressive JBone Do you have any pictures of your truck?

As I understand it, due to the hardness of the cylinder walls, these engines generally don't develop a ridge even with high miles. But the rings do wear, which I'm sure yours have. . . but for pete's sake you've driven that thing around the equator 55+ times!

 

I haven't taken any pics in a long time, but when I get the Ol' Gal back from the shop, I'll get some and post them for you. The rear driver's fender is broken on the bottom from a blowout, the clearcoat is flaking, but the truck has been partially repainted once. She has been a work truck her entire life, last year she ran 182,000 miles hauling RV's to 48 states and Canada. She was retired in 06 when I bought a new Dodge 3500 CTD, but it was such a pos that Dodge bought it back from me, and I brought Baby back out of retirement. Other than clutches and tranny's, I have had no major issues with her, just a lot of hard miles and good service. Always serviced and lubed every 10k miles, and dealer maintained from day one. I wish I could find another one as good as this one has been, but I don't think they make them anymore.