Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

Changing a Piston

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Viktorpatsan, Dec 1, 2012.

Page 1 of 3
  1. Dec 1, 2012 #1
    Viktorpatsan

    Viktorpatsan Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Dec 1, 2012
    0
    Hey guys, i just changed all my pistons on my 12.7 Detroit. My timing was off and one of my pistons cracked. I was wondering if i could change just one piston or do i have to change all of them? Thank You!
     
    Viktorpatsan, Dec 1, 2012
    Viktorpatsan, Dec 1, 2012
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Dec 1, 2012 #2
    Viktorpatsan

    Viktorpatsan Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Dec 1, 2012
    0
    Also, where could i get a remanufactered head?, because mine broke. Im in Charlotte, if that helps!
     
    Viktorpatsan, Dec 1, 2012
    Viktorpatsan, Dec 1, 2012
    #2
  4. Dec 1, 2012 #3
    dannythetrucker

    dannythetrucker Road Train Member

    2,856
    4,032
    May 26, 2011
    everywhere, man
    0
    conventional wisdom is once you have the head off, drop the pan, etc... and get set up to press in a piston and sleeve you do all 6. I've never heard of someone doing 1.

    sorry for your troubles, hope you get it resolved without too much hassle.
     
    dannythetrucker, Dec 1, 2012
    dannythetrucker, Dec 1, 2012
    #3
    Viktorpatsan and windsmith Thank this.
  5. Dec 1, 2012 #4
    Autocar

    Autocar Road Train Member

    3,167
    2,358
    Apr 28, 2012
    The Hot Rod Shop Oxford, AL
    0
    If they are all fairly new, there is no reason not to do just one.
     
    Autocar, Dec 1, 2012
    Autocar, Dec 1, 2012
    #4
    dannythetrucker, puncher and Viktorpatsan Thank this.
  7. Dec 1, 2012 #5
    windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

    7,296
    6,031
    Sep 2, 2011
    NEPA
    0
    Exactly. All that time and labor, might as well do them all.
     
    windsmith, Dec 1, 2012
    windsmith, Dec 1, 2012
    #5
    Viktorpatsan Thanks this.
  8. Dec 1, 2012 #6
    puncher

    puncher Medium Load Member

    540
    358
    Feb 12, 2010
    Tn.
    0
    Absolutley, no need to change all of them if everything else is good. What is broke on your head ? A good machine shop can fix alot of problems, but if it's too bad Detroit should fix you up with a rebuilt head, although a salvage yard can usually save you some money and will guarantee it not to be cracked, but always have a good machine shop check it before installing.
     
    puncher, Dec 1, 2012
    puncher, Dec 1, 2012
    #6
    Viktorpatsan Thanks this.
  9. Dec 1, 2012 #7
    jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

    2,197
    2,499
    Dec 1, 2009
    hastings, Fl
    0
    I have replaced only one piston several times, did OK. Prefer to do all at one time, but it will work fine. Warranty work will only replace one piston, if that is all that went bad in a new engine. If that is the best you can do right now, do it.Head will not be cheap, if no core to swap. Let machine shop look at head before writing it off.
     
    jbatmick, Dec 1, 2012
    jbatmick, Dec 1, 2012
    #7
    puncher, Viktorpatsan and dannythetrucker Thank this.
  10. Dec 1, 2012 #8
    Viktorpatsan

    Viktorpatsan Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Dec 1, 2012
    0
    I rebuilt my engine and changed the sleeves, pistons, rings, etc... It worked good, but one cylinder started to work bad. I thought it was the injector. I changed the injector and it didnt help it at all. When it was ideling, it worked for a bit and it made a hole in the cylinder head and water went inside. I took off the head and discovered 4 cap valves broken. The piston is in one piece but it is scratched on the top. I am worried that it cracked so i want to change it. Any suggestions? I have a cylinder head with a good core but i got it from a truck that sat for a while. i don't want to put it on because i don't know what is wrong with it.
     
    Viktorpatsan, Dec 1, 2012
    Viktorpatsan, Dec 1, 2012
    #8
  11. Dec 1, 2012 #9
    Viktorpatsan

    Viktorpatsan Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Dec 1, 2012
    0
    Also, i was told that the all the pistons have to be the same weight, if they don't weigh the same, the engine will break. Is this true?
     
    Viktorpatsan, Dec 1, 2012
    Viktorpatsan, Dec 1, 2012
    #9
  12. Dec 1, 2012 #10
    Autocar

    Autocar Road Train Member

    3,167
    2,358
    Apr 28, 2012
    The Hot Rod Shop Oxford, AL
    0
    No. Stock engines are not balanced. If they are too far off, the engine will vibrate, but that is rare.
     
    Autocar, Dec 1, 2012
    Autocar, Dec 1, 2012
    #10
    Viktorpatsan and dannythetrucker Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 3