I just got a 96 Cummins Turbo Diesel 5.9. And was wondering how can I tell if it's 12valve or 24? And what are the differences? I'm not really a mechanic or nothing, so it's prob a stupid question.

 

Cummins didnt introduce 24 valve until 98.5. So yours is a 12 valve. Differences that i know of are, 12 valve are mechanical engines meaning you cant use programmers or chips or none of that stuff there is no computer tuning all of the fuel tuning is done manually via fuel plates, injectors, pump work etc., injection pump is different (24valve has vp44 pump and 94-98 12 valve has p7100 or p-pump). Those are the major differences. Most guys like 12 valves because they are strong dependable engines and they are fairly simple to work on, turn-up etc. Im not the most well informed. But through all of my learning and reading on this site i have learned quite a bit about the different motors. I personally own a 1997 12 valve and love it. There is a lot of good information to be had on here. I'm sure someone who knows more will chime in. But theres a start for you anyways.

Vance

 

Welcome to the site.
96 is a 12 valve.
24 valves didn't come out until mid 1998. Sometimes you will see 1998.5 as the year of someone's truck here. That means its a 24 valve. But not everyone goes by that convention

~Rob

 

That clears up alot! Thanks for the quick replies.

 

welcome to the site, yeah do some searching on the 12 valves. pretty simple to work on and get a little more power out of...

 

Welcome to the site, and that wasn't a stupid question.

 

Here is a bookmark for you.. This site has alot of good info to browse..

Dodgeram.org