Originally Posted by sporta

Steve

Originally Posted by ol' grouch

With 115K on the engine, I wouldn't pull the heads or rods. Just what has been mentioned. However, while it's on the stand, I'd pop the expansion plugs out of the block and flush it good with a garden hose. You won't believe the amount of rust and sand that comes out when you do this. Expansion plugs get soft if the anti-freeze isn't kept up to date. Replacing what you're talking about, especially the timing chain and high VOLUME oil pump will make you think you have a brand new engine under the hood. Absolutely, positively do NOT go with a high PRESSURE oil pump as it can blow the seals out. The high volume will compensate for any wear on the bearings..

Originally Posted by Dodgevity

With only 115K, the only thing I'd probably replace is the oil pan gasket and water pump, unless there are some visible leak areas, that is. I wouldn't want to even approach or exceed the value of the truck.

Originally Posted by sporta

While I agree with the above statements, I would be cautious. Pull the valve covers and oil pan and see how things look. Do you happen to know the history of the donor motor? Any available service records? Only reason why I am skeptical about "an unknown engine" is I had a '00 Durango with the 5.9L engine (yes I know different motors completely) and the vehicle had only 93k (or so) on the odometer and the engine was absolute garbage. I mean it was grenaded...the donor motor with a supposed "great running" 5.9L made me suspicious...I had not personally heard the engine run, but the kid that I got it from swore up and down how great it was...It wasn't good...so much rust, the cam was pretty well worn out and the heads were iffy....Really wish we would have boiled the block out on it...some how my son manged to kill it within about 4 weeks of him having it after we rebuilt it...but him being gone away from it for a week and leaving it with the sketchy family he is living with, I don't rule out sabotage...Just my $.02...check it out really well, hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Originally Posted by fcastro

Thanks Steve, I am thinking I won't be rebuilding the engine this deep.



ol' grouch, thanks I think this is the route I am going to take. My neighbor said the same thing. Thanks for mentioning the the expansion plugs, I'll get some brass ones and include them in the project. You also mentioned the oil pump, high volume vs high pressure. I didn't know there was a difference. Seems like people in the forums mention the high volume mellings oil pump. MELLING M72HV. Think this what I will use.



The only visible leaks are from the back of the valve covers.



I just heard the engine run for about 10 minutes. The guy had the truck parked for a few years and it had 113k. But yeah I will be looking under the valve covers and inside the oil pan area. Aside from anything broken any other things I should be looking out for?

So at this point I will be changing:

• the waterpump (high flow)
• the oil pump (mellings high volume)
• valve covers
• oil pan gasket
• rear main seal (looks like it can be done with minimal work with oil pan off)
• plenum gasket and shortened bolts (Looks like plate isn't needed)
• clean fuel injectors and new o-rings for them
  

Thanks for all the tips fellas. I'll post pics as I get the work done. Need to get some paint for the exhaust manifold and bottom of engine as well.