60 series Detroit rebuild question.

If there is nothing wrong with the motor you dam right it is throwing money away, replace the bull gear, sure, if it needs it. But a whole engine? Come on cowpie, you're smarter than that. I understand preventative maintanence, but by your reasoning we should all be rebuilding or replacing engines long before their known service life. In your last truck we never heard about you replacing or rebuilding the engine in it. Did we? It had a fair amount of miles on it, didn't it? I don't care what the op does with his money, its his, not mine, has no effect on me what so ever. This forum is SUPPOSED to be a place where we all can get GOOD ADVISE, not a bunch of bs. Telling this guy to change out a motor that is good is bs, if you were in his position there is no way in hell you would do that yourself. I ran my motor over a million miles, it started to take 1-2 gallons of oil a week, I was getting ready to setup an appointment with cat to get it in and rebuild it. Had it at the shop at home doing a service job, noticed the puke tube was wet, pull the rad cap and the reservoir is full, full of fuel. So it went to cat the next day, so I understand preventative maintenance. I am not in no way telling the op to wait until it leaves him on the side of the road. More cases than not, by nothing other than oil sampling and watching oil consumption a engine will let you know when it is time. Ignore the signs, and your days will be numbered before you are stuck on the side of the road waiting for the almighty hook.

 

But you are making assumptions. Unless you know the life history of an engine, you cannot intelligently make a determination that replacing that engine would be a stupid move by someone else, or that it is stupid advice to do so. If it has a negative history, it might just be a wise move to cut one's losses and replace it. I never said he should, only that it was an option, since he was considering a rebuild anyway. Don't get you panties in a wad. And since it is not your truck or money involved, why are you having a fit over it? Yes, I am smarter. I look at all options and make a rational decision. I don't go off the deep end and have a cow like you.

No, in my last truck we did not discuss full replacement of the engine or rebuild. Why, you may ask? Because I did not like that ISX, did not want to keep it, and was not going to get another one like it, and most probably will never own a Cummins engine again. I learned with that one, that the N-14 was the last good engine, in my experience, that Cummins made. And based on the history of the truck, it was more cost effective over the long term to just cut my losses on it (though it was paid for) and go with another truck. Then I would not have to make up for its shortcomings, and actually have a truck that is spec'd exactly for what I do, with the added plus of not having any emissions junk on it to choke it down and drastically increase the cost for maintenance. Sometimes the prudent move is to get rid of something that is not working out well and replace it with something else. Not just patch it and milk it along and hope for the best.

Grow up.

 

I am not the one having a fit over it, YOU are. Almost every post you make concerning trucks is "well what I did with my new truck is blah, blah, blah" and make it sound like that is the only way to do it. You are not some prima donna, now get over it and take your own advice.

 

Buying a new crate motor or rebuilding yours won't keep you off the side of the road.New parts can break just like the old ones. I wonder how many on here saying rebuild it have actually had an engine with over mil miles. I took my N14 to 1.4mil and besides some blow by it was still good. A yr after I sold it the liners started allowing coolant into oil but he was able to drive it home. I would have the bull gear checked and keep on driving it.

BTW, is a 98 Century worth a $20k motor? Not bagging on your truck as I drive a 95 FLD and I #### sure wouldn't spend that on mine. I would be looking for another truck. Save your money and fix the stuff that needs it. Just an opinion from someone who has made lots of money with old trucks.

 

shucks, dont get me lying on how often (or not so often) i have changed my oil

and she is still kicking

 

i will tell you what Freightliner AND detroit have told me regarding pre-egr engines

DONT EVER GET RID OF THEM

told me that even if i have to replace an engine every 7-10 years its better than these new ones

i dont know how long i will keep ol'bessie, but i think i will heed the advice of those who know better

getting a new truck doesnt make you more money, only puts you in more debt. until these states start passing some new laws, I will keep mine till the wheels fall off

 

seems like no matter what choices i put in, they said i should get a remanufactured engine

 

I'd go to a dealer to get that figured out.