Hello all,

I have searched around and have not found an answer. I have recently purchased a 2001 dodge ram 1500 5.9 magnum. The engine was weak, but driveable it smoked a little and has over 200,000 on the clock. I am rebuilding the engine and have it at the machine shop and sent off the rotating assembly to be balanced. I want it to last as long as possible. And maybe free up some horse power. It will be going back mostly stock but with a cam upgrade new lifters, springs and keepers. I have just recently found out that the engine is externally balanced. Did I mess up? Will I be able to use the harmonic balancer that it came with or will I need to get a differant one? I will be using the truck to haul my tractor and what ever else needs to be hauled. Anything that I missed feel free to ask.

Thank you in advance for your help

 

The 5.9 engine is externally balanced, so balancing is not required. Not sure what your machine shop may do to "balance" your 5.9 engine, so that's something that you will need to speak with them about.

 

One would think the machine shop would know the engine is external balance, and ask for the damper, and flywheel/flexplate you plan on using as well.

 

If the shop does race engines, they will balance the reciprocating mass inside. It's a bit of overkill for a street engine but it can be done. They will weigh each piston head, each connecting rod and so on. They will then shave a slight amount of metal off the piston heads for instance so they all weigh the same. Lie I said, this is overkill. The engine will run just fine with a basic overhaul.

I'd give them a call about that. You're talking a lot of labor which will run the price up by a substantial amount.

 

I did send all of the rotating assembly to them and it was $250 to $300 extra for them to balance everything. I figure that it will be extra insurance against engine failure. It will truly be a "do it all " truck. Tow vehicle, daily driver, and maybe go play in the mud.

 

The 5.9s are tanks they don’t need extra insurance, well maintained and the bottom ends are close to bulletproof

your loss or power and smoke could have just been a blown plenum gasket with oil caking into the catalytic converter…

my 95 had 245k when I traded, granted I put a double roller timing chain and Hughes plenum kit, but mine lacked 0 power at that mileage….my 02 has 166k with no lack of power (done same upgrades) these engines are tough work engines, they’re made for work

 

I am also putting a CLOYES heavy duty double roller timing chain on it.