i am starting a project, converting my 97 f-250 to a cummins, i want to put in a 12 valve. whats years are better than others? anything i should stay away from? casting or serial numbers i should look for? any help is greatly appreciated.. thanks.. chris

 

As I understand it ealier p-pumped 12 valvers had a smaller p-pump (160hp, 180hp) then the later 12 valvers (215hp), not sure what years were which but a search would probably clear it up pretty quick. I've also heard folks say the 215 pumps are better, and I've heard that the 160s can be built to be better then the 215s can, but again a search would probably shed more light on it. I don't believe there's any real difference in the engines themselves though...

Ed

 

94-98 12v moters are the same however the injection pumps and injectors are different.
94-95auto--160hp
96-98auto--180hp
94-95man--175hp
96-98man--215hp
Id look for an 96-98man but they are hard to come by in my neck of the woods. Any of the injection pumps can be tuned to give you more fuel than you will know what to do with. Make sure the dowell pin has been tabbed on the motor do a search for "kdp" and youll see what im talking about. Im not quite shure but some California motors may be detuend as well.

 

I would look for a 96-97 manual form any state except Cali had the emission systems and i believe were only rated at 180hp for those years. The 98s had a few 53 blocks. a #10 in a 215 hp truck will send your trans screaming. On the other hand if you can get a 94-95 for cheaper all it would take is a little pump work to get them running as well if not better than a 215.

 

A 180 and 215 pump would give you the same results you're looking for. Don't let that be an issue at all. In '96 they lowered the piston rings a little. I'd look for a 96-97 12v. The '98 12v's should be the same as the previous year but I know the trucks themselves had some bolt and design differences since the new body style was designed for a 24v. So you might find some oddities in a '98 12v that you wouldn't find in a '97, for example. Not sure if it extends to the engine itself though. Like mentioned, the 98 12v's may be a 53 block, which is known for cracking in 24v's. I heard the 12v 53 block is way different than a 24v 53 block though.

CA engines come with an EGR after 1996.5. My truck barely slipped under the wire. It was built in Oct. 1995 and does NOT have an EGR.

 

Not sure your power goal or if its just a driver, i think youd be happy with any 12v. Thier great engines all of them. The 89-93 have the ve pump and are easy to tune and run good. The 94-98 can just be tuned to be pure monsters if you so desire- I do! Any 89-98 12v would prob. serve you well, dont pass on a good deal.