inframe.

First off, this wasn't a debate. I NEVER said I would personally do it that way. your statement of " use cat parts, the piston/rods are already assembled in the liners" comment wasn't exactly right. depends what kit you buy. I was just stating that you COULD get a kit with out the hassle of core charges for the rods. 299 a piece last time I bought I platinum kit for a 2ws if I remember right.

you don't know the guys situation, the miles on the engine hes overhauling OR most important his financial situation. maybe he cant afford a $10,000 platinum kit right at this very moment. hell you can get a silver kit under $3,000 depending on your serial number.

not disagreeing with ya, I personally replace everything that I can while i'm in there, but I have to admit....there were times through the years when I had to do what was needed to get rollin. what if hes not keeping the truck for 2 or 3 more years and the current rods/bushings mic out with in tolerance?

 

Why new oil coolers? On DD's the oil coolers are just little curved pipes that take no wear.
Do doubt I'd change wrist pins.

 

Just always remember that ( Cat, Detroit, Cummings) do not make all there own parts, if you do a little research you can find who does, i found that MC Bee out of Columbus Oh does all reman injectors for Detroit, $150 each verses $350 each from Relainat, Just saying.

 

Your are right due to financial situations I have had to do some stuff to get running I'll not brag about. I have seen folks too broke to pay anybody had to trial by fire so to speak, just to survive usually do a pretty good job. Replace the cooling nozzles because as pressure oil flows thru them that little tube vibrates a small amount that causes a weakness that lets it blow off. When this happens u keep oil pressure due to it still sprays thru a small hole but doesnt hit the right spot and causes a galled piston. Also its hard not to bump the fragile little things when you pull or install the liner pack assemblies. If you buy qaulity aftermarket parts i have never had a problem with them. But if I had to let a machine shop install wrist pins that ere only held in by snap rings, and install my rings on pistons so I knew they were on right side up, and in the right order not broke as they entered the liner out of a 15.00 dollar ring compression tool I would really consider if I really needed to be doing this job. Your right its not a debate I didnt mean to make it sound as such, not knowing his situation he might have decided that a 3000 dollar kit was as good as the 10000 kit. Kinda makes replying to all these threads kinda general and most of those should be taken with a grain of salt. I just thought a mechanics point of view may give him the other side of the discussion. Yes i still own a successful shop, I'm trucking when i want cause I have always wanted to will I ever close my shop and truck full time not likely.