I recommend OEM also. I ordered my Detroit rebuild kit from Freightliner and it took almost 6 months to come in....just FYI...... I ordered in August 2022 and it came in February 2023...I rebuilt last July..... Out of frame...
How much do you think an inframe is these days? Rebuild kit, gaskets, oil pump, and reman or new head is pushing $10k. You haven't added waterpump, oil cooler, injectors, bull gear, accessory drive, sealing front cover leaks, etc. Now add labor and cutting the block. It adds up quick. Now find a competent mechanic and wait for a time slot to get it done.
After 2 months I gave up and ordered a PAI kit in 2/2022. It took three months to source the cam, head and kit, and still had to make concessions.
Yeah, Im assuming the parts shortage thing that was going on in 2021 to early 2023 is alot better now. I had no clue it was gonna take that long. Had I needed a rebuild and tried to go buy it, I probably would have had to source all the parts together from different sources. PAI kit doing you well so far??
Garners Diesel, Thunder Rd - Dueneweg , MO. Sean Garner. Backs his work and does inframes almost exclusively now. PM me if you need his number. He cuts blocks in a 300 mile radius around here, and will advise on what needs to be done. Bull gear should be done, and I wouldn’t hesitate on a 2011 glider. Mine is a 1995 379, I agree with all opinions above, each to their own. An older truck well maintained and continually improved and maintained suits my business model.
That truck ran for about 6 months afterwards just fine before it was parked. When my driver in my 5700xe quit, I started driving that. I was running Miami at rush hour a couple times a week and that auto grew on me. I've been slowly getting the glider back roadworthy. Sitting is terrible for these things. AC doesn't work now, has some stuck brake issues, headliner falling, needs batteries, etc.
