Hi everyone,

So I ended up getting a used 5.9 with 115k. I heard the engine run before buying. The water pump needs to be changed because its making a sound. I was wondering what else I should change before installing it. Here is what I was thinking.

• Water Pump
• Timing Chain
• Valve Cover gaskets
• Oil pan gasket (since I know these leak down the road)
• Plenum pan plate install
  
• Clean
  • Fuel injectors
    
• Possibly change:
  • Head gasket

Opinions and thoughts?

 

You can skip the aluminum plate for the intake, just use a GOOD quality gasket, and shorter bolts. (don't forget the lok-tite.....)

If you are going into the pan anyway, I would change the oil pump, and pickup tube as well.

Good with a good double roller timing set.

Do plugs/wires/cap/rotor as well.

 

Thanks HeyYou,

Forgot about the oil pump. I am not sure how the oil pump on these work, what wears out about them?

I didn't know you just fix the plenum with just a better gasket and shorter bolts. Any idea on correct size?

Is the head gasket a smart idea? Trying to keep the budget on track lol.

 

Typical two-gear pump. I just like to replace them with a high volume unit.

 

Just my $.02 on the subject...to replace the oil pan gasket you are looking at either pulling the motor or dropping the front differential if its 4wd...might consider doing a full rebuild of the engine (rings bearing etc) if you go that deep...

Steve

 

Hey Steve, yes I have to pull the old motor to put the used one back in. You make an interesting point, I have never done rings bearing on an engine. I have done a head replacement. I wonder how much skill I would need and money to do the full refresh as you just mentioned. Rings, bearings, what else would this entail?

 

Sorry, didn't catch the part about this being a replacement engine. Here is a kit from ebay I found ( I've used this company for parts for a Durango motor that my dad and I rebuilt for my son) https://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Rebu...ry!89436!US!-1

Personally, I would have the block boiled, cleaned and checked by a machine shop (we didn't do this as my dad was calling the shots and got cheep on us) and have them press the cam bearings in as well...other than that...its not too bad to do...just follow the manual and keep in mind that when you tear down your donor motor, label and bag EVERYTHING...and make sure the labels can withstand grease and time...

Steve

 

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.

I freshened up a 1983 318 once that had 90K on it. It was still like new at 201K when the truck got a little too far to one side and hit a concrete bridge abutment. It broke the block and snapped the transmission housing.

 

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.

I'm still on the original timing chain and when my HG start leaking a bit years ago, I went the undesirable route and used a permanent block seal product. It cost me about 20 bucks and that was over 40,000 miles ago, so it worked out for me. I got this truck pretty cheap and I've managed to keep it that way. I don't cheap out on sensors tho. It's Mopar or bust for those.

 

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.