I am trying to buy a 91 Cummins. It has not run for about 1 year and 3 months. It has 400k miles. It is an auto + overdrive, and the overdrive does not work. It has one ton axles underneath it. 4x4, red, and rought looking. The guy wants $700 and it does not run. He said that it just needs a battery and fuel, since last time he drove it he just shut it off and hasn't drove it since. What do you think?
Here's his listing.........http://bend.craigslist.org/car/463048016.html

 

Are you buying it for the truck or the engine?

 

For $700 I would think you can't go wrong. There is probably that much value in scrap metal in it if it doesn't run. If it does run, hey you got a Cummins!

 

I'm buying it as a truck to drive around. I think just the block is worth it. How much would it cost for a rebuild? Does it have sleeves? Thanks

 

It'd be a great shop filler for someone like me in a few years while I'm not being called. (My job is an oncall 24/7 all yearjob.)

 

wow, that sucks, what do you do?

 

A proper rebuild will run in the 3k terrirtory, the 5.9 does not have sleeves however they do have a very high quality block (high nickel) and rarely need bored, If the engine has had any care at all I would bet strongly that there is not much wrong with it, if it does not strart Its likely the injection pump which on years 88 to 93 was a pile of junk (I.M.O.) I say buy it! I wish I could find a deal like that[:@]

 

I should say future job once I graduate from college. I signed with a company to do what i said. I'm going into the Natural Gas Compression field as a on call mechanic. I'll pretty much be with a group of about 10 mechanics and me. We get a certain area to watch after with around 25 engines each. I'll be the one who comes in if 2 engines are down under a certain Mechanic, or if he needs help. So its the same as the main 10 cept Iwon't change oil and I'llhave a chance to work on over 100+ engines.

 

What kind of engines? Like a semi? Cats?

 

Take a can of wd40 with you. If it doesn't start on its own, spary a little in the intake while cranking. If she fires on that you know that the base engine is good (decent compression) and the starting problem is fuel related insted.