at 350k no less; you would think they would build them better than that Oil in the anti-freeze and steam out the blowby hose. Looks like a bad day!!

What is a fair price to have it done? and how hard is this to do? They are saying 9 hours- this one is going to leave a mark!! I am debating doing it myself, but don't want to screw it up, and would have to do it outside in Montana- that might not be to smart?...

 

if your gonna do it yourself have a hoist ready. that cyl head is heavy! best to be careful and not hurt urself. prolly be best to save a few bucks up and have a good shop do it. just remember you get what you pay for.

 

Its not a complicated job, and the money he'd save would more than pay for the engine hoist that would be handy for pulling/installing the head. But I also hate paying people to do things I can do myself.

 

This is what I would do, you can get a hoist cheap if you have a harbor frieght local, believe it or not it support the the weight of my Cummins, I was surprised, so it should have no problem holding a head.

 

i recently had mine done at industrial injection for 800.00, i didn't want to hassle with it......no way to lift the head.
30 years ago i would have done it with one hand

 

I've pulled and replaced Chevy 235 heads on my old '54 Chevy, but these things are monsters compared to the 235 head. My back aches just thinking about it.

 

I have a way of screwing things up lately- I read about the guy who did his own on here and then re-did it when he bent 3 push rods! That sounds like me right now... And I would have to do it outdoors; I'm just not too confident right this second

 

Had the job done professionally- don't know the $, but my top end was NICE!! Crosshatching still there, injectors spraying good, and NO coking up!!!

now the hard part; $$$$$$$...

 

always good to go with what ur comfortable with. if you were doubting yourself while doing it good bet youd prolly screw something up

 

At the end of the day, it is your decision, your wallet, and your comfort level. I prefer to do things myself, but everyone has their limits. Glad you got it done, and glad that everything looks good- there aren't too many engines out there that hold up like these Cummins do!
Do let us know what it cost you, if you don't mind too much- it is good info for the next guy.