What is an "overhead?"

Why don't you Google for "Cummins only" shop. Cummins has shops like that I know of one in Evansville, IN and another in Nashville, TN on Spence Lane just from memory. I only trust my local Cat house to do the overhead adjustment I would only trust a Cummins house if i had an isx, forget Pete, kw , frghtlnr etc. This is 3 hours labor by the book on any engine a good tech can do it a little quicker but you shouldn't pay more than 3 hrs labor anywhere. 700/800 bucks? I believe that is a shop needs to be put on the "never do business with these ripoff artists" category. It cost me 350 bucks at cat. That is cheap once a year expense. Do it annually so your valvetrain can get inspected.

 

Just a little over 700,000, the previous owner said he had it done recently before I bought it, just did not know when.

Took it to a local diesel shop, said everything was pretty much spot on, also adjusted the clutch & checked/adjusted the brakes for just under $200. If you guys are in the Springfield, IL area (where 72 & I-55 cross) will send the shops contact info. He is also listed on NTTS, but not thinking he paid to be listed on truckdown's site.

 

My 475 ISX is due. I took advice from this thread and called the Cummins shop in the area. I was quoted 3 hours and $325. Got a flier from our Peterbilt dealer and it says $199.99 (labor only). What's the deal? Am I still better off going to the Cummins shop or what?

 

Ask them what your total bill out the door should be at the Pete dealer. I went to a dealer special for an oil change, they tacked on another $50 in various garbage. Didn't ask before what the total was going to be, got what I deserved. Won't happen again.

 

LBZ,you still liking your c-12 ok?

 

I get my overhead ran every year regardless of mileage. Cost me about $225.00

 

Yeah, it hasn't let me down & the fuel mileage has been good for what I do with it. Still tempted to call Mr Haney one of these days, but at 700k & never been opened thinking I should hold off.

 

I called FABCO, the local CAT store, about doing the overhead last summer. The shop manager told me $500.00 and up... I asked "on a 379 Pete?"... he said "Oh...$275.00. The $500.00 and up is for aero trucks that have their engines buried under the cab"...

 

I had a 3406B in an old International cabover. Found an ad in a magazine and ordered a tape (early 1990's) that showed a step-by-step procedure for doing an overhead. Since then, I've never paid for one, I do 'em myself.

If you've got a Mercedes or Detroit, forget overheads. Do one at around 75,000 to 100,000 miles and forget it. If you suspect it needs one, open the top of the engine and check the clearances with a feeler gauge- if the valve lash or engine brake clearance is sloppy, pay for an overhead.

If you're changing oil at recommended intervals, valve lash and exhaust brake clearances aren't needed.

 

Dont follow the above advice. I had four tight valves on a Detroit after 200,000 miles. Once they get tight enough they will stop contacting the seat and stop transferring the heat which results in burnt valves.

A proper overhead will set the injector heights, adjust valve lash, engine brake lash, and engine brake solenoid function. Injector heights have the most effect on fuel mileage, power and engine smoothness.