Anyone have the 24 valve cummins?

[21willys]

I've had cummins truck for the last 10 years or so and I have put over a million miles on them collectively but I've always have had 12 valve trucks. Anybody put a lot of miles on the 24 valves? Any major issues? My 96 currently has over 401k on it. It still runs perfect but the body on the truck shows the miles and it's time for a upgrade.

 

[jmlcolorado]

I've had cummins truck for the last 10 years or so and I have put over a million miles on them collectively but I've always have had 12 valve trucks. Anybody put a lot of miles on the 24 valves? Any major issues? My 96 currently has over 401k on it. It still runs perfect but the body on the truck shows the miles and it's time for a upgrade.

I've got an 03 24 valve. Had a 98 24 valve before this one.
The 98 I traded in at 350k and it still ran good. I had a freeze plug on the back of the block give out, had to pull the engine to fix it.
The 03 has 250k now and ill keep it for another year or two (till it hits 350k).
I need a clutch and about ready for a set of injectors, but other thn that, it pretty good.

 

[Old Iron]

I bought an 01 new, it now has 202,000.
I'd recommend putting a new lift pump on. They are cheap.
When the lift pump goes out it starves the VP44 injector pump of fuel, scars the internals and ruins it which is not cheap. I know this first hand.
I was told a safe time to do this is every 75,000 so I just bought an Air Dog from Thoroughbred Diesel and solved all my problems.

 

[21willys]

Well the research I've found on the net and what's been posted here seams that they are good motors but not as good as the 12 valve. I think I may just try to find a older one with low miles again.

 

[Old Iron]

Up to early 98 was the mechanical pump Cummins. Mid 98 they changed to electronic pump.

 

[jmlcolorado]

Well the research I've found on the net and what's been posted here seams that they are good motors but not as good as the 12 valve. I think I may just try to find a older one with low miles again.

I'd say they are just as good, just not as cheap to hop up as the 24 valves.
Your gonna have troubles fiddling a low milage 12 valve I think.
Also, your asking only about the engine. You also need to consider the trans in the trucks as well.
I had the nv4500 (5 speed) in my 98 and never had a problem. My 03 I have the 5600 (6 speed) and its just as strong. I've heard if you bolt on any power adders to the autos, you also have to fork out some cash to beef them up as well.
Both my 98 and 03 are hard on ball joints (but I have 35" tires on both).
I had more problem with the entire front suspension on my 98 the. I have has with my 03. I rebuilt the 03's entire front end over 100k ago and haven't had a problem. I rebuilt the 98's probable 3 times in the 4 years I owned it.

You are seriously limiting yourself if you look souly on the engine as the driving factor in a truck. There are many other options to look out for too.

For me, in a perfect world, I'd grab a 2010 cab and bed (cause I love the new body style) then toss in a built 03 engine (cause its the latest year I can get away without any emissions crap, actually, my 03 didn't even come with any) then mod the 2010 cab to a mega cab.
That's my dream truck.
Do they make Megan's in 2010? I think they might have. Ah heck, I can't remember. Long day.
Rant over. Happy Easter

 

[21willys]

The trucks I'm looking at will be the 98-01 models. As far as I know they use all the same stuff as the trucks I have now except the 24 valve motor. I only run two wheel drives and the auto trans don't scare me any with what I do. Mine has 400k and has been rebuilt twice. That's not bad IMO.

 

[Willowbilly3]

The 12 valve is simpler for sure but better? Probably not. I'm not a guru but some guys put the P style pump on the 24 valve to get more power and tunability. To me, the worst part of a cummins is having to herd a wandering Dodge down the road. Since most are 4x4 around here that's all I've driven and I hate the way they drive. It takes constant driver input, you have to set up and drive a dodge. I'm used to Fords and even a worn out one drives more comfortable that a new Dodge. If I had the resources I'd have an older Ford with a Cummins. Dodges 6 speed is leagues nicer to shift than Ford's is. I've seen 99-2000 six speed Dodge one ton 4x4s that would get 21-22 on the highway and average 17 with a big loaded trailer. When my powerstroke gives up, I'll be looking for a 99-03 Dodge 2wd dually with a high output 24 valve and a six speed.

 

[21willys]

The 12 valve is simpler for sure but better? Probably not. I'm not a guru but some guys put the P style pump on the 24 valve to get more power and tunability. To me, the worst part of a cummins is having to herd a wandering Dodge down the road. Since most are 4x4 around here that's all I've driven and I hate the way they drive. It takes constant driver input, you have to set up and drive a dodge. I'm used to Fords and even a worn out one drives more comfortable that a new Dodge. If I had the resources I'd have an older Ford with a Cummins. Dodges 6 speed is leagues nicer to shift than Ford's is. I've seen 99-2000 six speed Dodge one ton 4x4s that would get 21-22 on the highway and average 17 with a big loaded trailer. When my powerstroke gives up, I'll be looking for a 99-03 Dodge 2wd dually with a high output 24 valve and a six speed.

A upgraded track bar will usually fix the crappy handling.

 

[21willys]

I stopped by and talked to the guys at haisleys machine this morning and asked what they thought. They said the 24 valve is a good engine but all the crap that it takes to make them run sucks and it's usually what kills the motors. The high pressure fuel system is prone to problems as well as the injectors.

http://www.haisleymachine.com/

 

[Willowbilly3]

I don't think the 99-03 have the high pressure injectors.
I'm not sure how a different track bar would overcome the whole crappy design of pushing a 4 bar down the road. I've probably driven a couple dozen new ones from 99 to 2013s and they all drive the same. A wore out one is a whole different can of worms.

 

[jmlcolorado]

I don't think the 99-03 have the high pressure injectors.
I'm not sure how a different track bar would overcome the whole crappy design of pushing a 4 bar down the road. I've probably driven a couple dozen new ones from 99 to 2013s and they all drive the same. A wore out one is a whole different can of worms.

I agree, the front end ps sometimes leave so something to be wished for, but my 03 drives straight as an arrow. I drive between 100-250 miles apevery day, so it's important to me to have a solid front end. If you keep up on them they drive just fine. I can let my hands off the wheel for any length of time and it does great.
I rebuilt my entire front end with oarts that have get ease zerks and I religiously fill em all up at each oil change. This has helped a TON!

The 03 for sire do have the high pressure fuel system but I haven't had any problems with mine. I am running an air dog though which helps.
My 98 had the lift pump go out, which burned up the injection pump. I put an air dog on that one too after that mess.