I had an unfortunate incident that has resulted in damage to my engine. Long story short, hauling 13-14K up a LONG 6 percent grade with outside temp around 104 engine overheated. Motor (81K miles) now has a profound knock with traces of metal in the oil filter. Most likely toasted the rear piston/cylinder. I can put in a used motor w/140K miles for around $5500-6000 or rebuild for around $9000. I would prefer to rebuild but 3 grand is a sizable amount to keep in my pocket.

Curious in others thoughts. Especially those that have been through either.

 

140k on an engine that you don't know the history of. Might make a year, might make a week. On top of that, no warranty.

 

Not knowing the history is the scary part. This particular motor is from a wrecked truck (side impact) and was run prior to removal. There is a warranty, albeit only 90 days.

 

Next question is how good of shape is the truck in?

 

All I know is it was side damage. No frontal or roll over. They ran the motor prior to pulling it out. An extremely reputable shop found it for me and had sent numerous customers to this yard in the past. So one would think/hope that they wouldn't offer up suspect motor. The wrecking yard has been in business for something like 83 years under the same family ownership. So that is a plus. But again, not knowing the history..... However, saving 3-4 grand on an extremely unexpected expense is good too.

 

I'm assuming the engine could be rebuilt if you were accomplished in this area. It can be rebuilt, sometimes without boring block. I believe a complete rebuild kit is avalaible for less than 1000 dollars. Like I said you must be accomplished and have some equipment at your disposal.

 

Biggest thing is what shape is the injection system in. VP44's are at least a grand to replace.

 

50clock. I believe there is a DTR chapter in or near Sacramento. You could join the chapter and see if any members would like to help. There's lots of fellas on this site that love to rebuild and tinker around on cummins motors. You may just get lucky to be able to rebuild it yourself with some help. Most guys on here would work all night for a steak dinner and beer! Heck i'd help but i don't know the first thing about rebuilding and engine.

 

Another option is to install the used engine and sell yours to recoup some of the cost.

Depend on time constraints you could do the rebuild yourself and save a bunch.

 

CADTR #21 is the norther California chapter. You could always post a thread in that forum and see if anybody is interested. Whatever you do good luck!

 

Thanks all. The cost of a rebuild is 9 grand whether done as a short block through Cummins or the standard way (bore, pistons etc) in an independent shop. More than likely the real total would be closer to 10 grand. A heck of a lot of money for an unplanned expense. I've opted to the replacement route. I'm not normally a gambling man and know there is risk involved. But I'm saving over 3500 bucks. No small chump change. I'm not going to abuse it but plan on running her through the paces over the first couple of months.

 

Hope you get to keep your old engine. You can rebuild it at your leisure and have it ready to go in or you can sell it and recoup some of your $$$. But most boneyards want the old one in exchange.

 

It's probably too late, but at 81k, it was still under warranty.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/01-Do...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/cummi...QQcmdZViewItem

 

First thing I checked. Mine was the 5 year 100K. I'm out by 2 years. Even called Cummins directly. They told me they are prohibited from doing any warranty work on Dodges. Lost on both fronts.