Hi,
I'm new here and not yet a diesel owner, however I'm very close to buying either a 96 12v or a 98 24v and was wanting some comment or thoughts on which one I should buy, both are very close to the same price, and options.
The 12v has 230K miles and the 24v has 134K. I was naturally drawn to the lower miles until I started reading here!!! It sort of sounds like most perfer the 12v engine?!?! I'm not sure if the 24v is the dreaded "53" block but will find out tomorrow.
The guy who has the 12v tells me he replaced the auto tranny, new brakes with high performance rotors on the front, along with tie rods and some other frontend stuff. So it sounds like he has taken care of it.
The 24v is on a used car dealer's lot and ofcourse it's the "best one in town", at least according to the salesman!!! It was locally owned but I have yet to find or talk to the previous owner, so I have no info on what all has been done to it.
Does anybody have any advise???
Thanks,
Tim

 

Welcome to the site...

On the 24 Valve make sure to check the fuel pressure of the lift pump.

I'm sorry can't really help you on the 12 Valve... Never worked on one yet...

I would say its a mixed bag on what everyone likes. Some like the 24 Valve becuase you can plug in a performance box and go.

Others like the idea that the 12 Valve is non computered and they can tweak the fuel settings themselves...

I prefer the 24 valve. But If I was going to build a power house machine I would go for the 12 Valve.

 

Search "KDP" to be informed. Many here have made it a non-issue.

 

Go for test drive on both and see which has (if any) issues with trans, smoke, low power, wander, signs of accident/repaint etc. 12V sounds like better deal, but verify what he is telling you with receipts etc,same goes for 24v. Do VIN search for how many previous owners/issues such as writeoff etc. See if you can get free warranty on 24v in dealers lot for 90/180 days. 12v's had less issues(KDP) with them, and are probably the most trouble free engine ever put in a car or truck, and easily modded. 24v's do have some issues(lift pump,53 block), but easily modded with chip,and also quite reliable. Get an independent mechanical inspection if you don't feel comfortable with doing yourself(can save you a big surprise later .

 

Thanks to everyone for their input. Looks like I might be the owner of a 96 12v very soon. The 24v deal kind of fell thru a lot due to the used car dealer being a jerk!! to say the least, he was very offended that I wanted to talk to the previous owner and wouldn't take his word that the truck was the "best in town"!!!

 

That most likely means that it was not the best in town

 

I own both and I think they both have their pros and cons. I dont have the 53 block, but the 24valve has gone through a lift pump. I did have to put on a pusher pump and have had no probs since. Very easy to bump up power. I think the 12 valve is quieter, and I think it sounds better than the 24 valve. As far as getting more hp cheaper, I think the 12v is cheaper. A fuel plate and injectors is cheaper than a edge comp box. I think the mechanical fuel pump is 10 times better. I would stick with the 24v because it does have 100k miles less on the rest of the drivetrain. Both motors will last forever, but how much else will fail on the rest of the truck. JMO