[Advice Needed] 1,000,000 mile Truck with cracked block... to rebuild or drop-in?

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by HamLocker, Apr 3, 2021.

  1. HamLocker

    HamLocker Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the comments fellas. @Arctic_fox @bad-luck @DUNE-T

    Pardon my response - when I say rebuild, I mean replacing the block and everything else that is damaged (camshaft, piston, liner, etc).
    I believe most of the accessories such as turbo, pumps, EGR and other kit within the engine are in good shape.... trying to understand the major drawbacks from going this route. Doesn’t seem any different from buying a rebuilt drop in engine apart from the quality of the work being done.

    Roger that regarding reman vs rebuild. If replacing the block / rebuilding the rest isn’t a great option, then we’ll probably go with a reman if we can find one.

    Thanks for bearing with me again and for all the advice.

    We’re also scoping out this deal: https://www.mhc.com/trucks/used/2015/peterbilt/587/i0483754
    Hope it’s not against the rules to post this. Besides the fact it’s a Paccar (not my preference), it’s low miles. Got a video of the engine and seems pretty clean. Considering getting a 3 yr warranty on it for $8k extra.
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
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  3. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

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    No problem and your welcome
     
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  4. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    You just need a block and a new rod. Rod bearings, Maybe a crank. A good mechanic can inspect and put it all back together. The question is whether you can find someone to do it, without costing just as much or more than a new engine. I’m not a Mechanic, but pretty sure there’s a good chance that valves on one head are probably bent. Considering the cost of a block with a crank, Labor, I can only guess it’s only going to save a few, maybe 5-7k at best.Since it all adds up, I myself would go that route. But I take chances. No reason it can’t be put back together. Assuming it really was inframed already. I’d re use anything that wasn’t damaged. As far as owing $18k, that’s no big deal. Just have to get it up and running, or cut your loses. A little Driver Training would be a good idea. Though he’s obviously learned the hard way. Too bad. Good thing it didn’t run away on him. No one got hurt. Could have been worse.
     
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  5. disoba

    disoba Light Load Member

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    I will add Russ Fisher inTerre Haute In,
    they have tons of wrecked trucks in the yard
    https://www.russfisher.net/default.htm
     
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  6. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    Years ago if we had a truck with a bad crank or block we we buy a used engine from Kerns Truck Parts in Atlanta. ( I am not affiliated ) They buy wrecks and some used trucks.
    They sold reman trans and diffs. Picking them up I asked about the engines lined up.
    " We pull the pan and inspect what we can see of the liners and cam. If that looks good we replace the rods and mains. Run the overhead. 30 day warranty. If it needs and in frame get it to us and we will do that or replace the engine. " Best I remember. If it takes you 4 weeks to put your engine in you have no warranty.
    I would do something like that or sell it for salvage.
    We had a big Cummins here scattered the rods at about 600,000 miles. Company scrapped it. Did some of them have a problem with that?
    If yours was over revved if should be logged in the ECM.
     
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  7. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    That’s a great place. Good Guys, they’ll run you all around the yard in a golf cart. Really work with you.
     
    disoba Thanks this.
  8. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Before you point your finger at the driver, get the ECM history downloaded. See exactly what kind of RPM the engine hit. May not even have been an RPM related failure.

    You see, a lot of drivers have this silly mindset that 1800 RPM will instananeously self-destruct an engine. If your driver buys into that nonsense and told you they oversped it when it only hit like 2100 then they really aren't to blame.

    But yeah, your engine is pretty much destined for the scrapyard. You could maybe strip it down and part it out or keep some good parts for spares.
     
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  9. Evil_E

    Evil_E Heavy Load Member

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    I would stay away from the EPA10 Paccar. EPA13 or EPA17 is vastly improved
     
  10. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Truck Salvage Co. on Mc Carty St.
    Central Truck Parts on Market St.
    LKQ Heavy Truck on Aldine Westfield.
     
  11. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Do not just scrap the complete engine. All the other parts besides the block and rod may still be salvagable. Cranks and heads alone bring hefty core charges. Cummins used to charge $500 for a core on a camshaft for a small cam 855 years ago. Those parts alone should bring a little value as swap items towards a reman engine. They will reuse those parts on another one.
     
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