Cummins N14 Inframe cost?

[Tackleberry]

Looking at a truck with the Commins N14. Head gaskets are leaking a bit. 

What's ballpark inframe cost in these?

Thanks.

Edited October 6, 2022 by Tackleberry

[spindrift]

Why do you think it needs an inframe?

[Tackleberry]

14 minutes ago, spindrift said:

Why do you think it needs an inframe?

Mobile mechanic at pre purchase inspection spotted head gasket leaks in 3 spots

[Chad Heiser]

I have an N14 and did a complete in frame on it 4 years ago.  I also replaced the turbo and clutch and a couple other small items at the same time.  The total bill was about $25k. 

[spindrift]

31 minutes ago, Tackleberry said:

Mobile mechanic at pre purchase inspection spotted head gasket leaks in 3 spots

I'm not saying it doesn't need a rebuild but leaking valve cover gaskets wouldn't immediately point me to a rebuild.  I'd have a reputable shop change the gaskets and perform a blowby test.  How many miles on the engine?

[Tackleberry]

43 minutes ago, spindrift said:

I'm not saying it doesn't need a rebuild but leaking valve cover gaskets wouldn't immediately point me to a rebuild.  I'd have a reputable shop change the gaskets and perform a blowby test.  How many miles on the engine?

700k. Minimum blow by out dipstick 

[spindrift]

2 minutes ago, Tackleberry said:

700k. Minimum blow by out dipstick 

"Minimum" blowby measured how?  By sight or using a manometer?  My advice, have the engine evaluated by a reputable engine shop before spending $25-30K on a rebuild.  Even if there is excessive blowby, you're going to want an inspection of your rods and mains in order to determine whether you only rebuild the top end or go the full Magilla and include the bottom end as well.

My bad...reread and saw head gaskets NOT valve gaskets.  I'd still have both bottom and top ends evaluated.

[Darryl&Rita]

How much you got?

 

In all seriousness, it depends on the shop rate in the area you get it done. Have you ever been inside this engine before? Headgaskets aren't indicative of an inframe. Get a manometer on the blowby, so you can make an informed decision. Roll in new main and conn rod bearings, replace the head gaskets, adjust the valvetrain and Jakes, and let her bark.

[Wrknrvr]

    I would think about judging the rest of the truck to compare how it was taken care of.

  If it looks respectable inside and out then that could indicate it was sorta taken care of.  Now if other things are sorta tough, then it might be time to look elsewhere.

  Today I seen a local dump truck that had oil on the front right side lug nuts. It was very noticeable. I would think DOT mite pull him over for a inspection. Mismatched tires on the rear axle. Not very clean on the outside.

 

   Now no comment on my Jeep. I now it workings are respectable. Corvette motor with 80,000 miles on it. It may not look it.  But it really is a rat rod in disguise.

[ARGO]

Don't buy a truck with a hole in the floor........................

[Jaydrvr]

I spent $17,000.00 at the dealer for my N14 in-frame. That included the turbo and a couple other items I hadn't replaced yet. Jay

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

11 hours ago, ARGO said:

Don't buy a truck with a hole in the floor........................

I got a BIG time out for saying that a few years ago.... 

[Jaydrvr]

19 hours ago, Alie&Jim's Carrilite said:

I got a BIG time out for saying that a few years ago.... 

That was you?!? I wondered when I read that line if someone was gonna get in trouble, then I never saw that forum member again. Learn something new (almost) every day. Jay

[ARGO]

Yeah, I got TERMINATED. But not for the floor thing, I made reference to a spice smell common to certain ethnicities

[Jaydrvr]

1 hour ago, ARGO said:

Yeah, I got TERMINATED. But not for the floor thing, I made reference to a spice smell common to certain ethnicities

Yes, I remember that as well. Seems you're in good company. Some of our greatest contributors have been around the block a time or two. Jay

[Phil D]

Since the topic of forum bans has come up, please know that to my knowledge, no contributing member has ever been banned from this forum or from the Escapees forums generally by any of the moderators that are specifically responsible for the HDT forum (many spammers and other disruptors have been banned, but that's another story entirely).  That said, Escapees HQ allows their other moderators come in to moderate the content of this forum, even though the HDT forum has its own assigned moderators, and should anyone run afoul of those other moderators, there's nothing that we can do to help.  Please govern yourselves accordingly.

[DUNE-T]

Just change the gaskets, n14 at 700k is just barely broken in, I really really doubt it needs an inframe

[ddm502001]

Biggest problem on the N14 is Heritage, is still a NT855 base block, they had issues for forever with Head Weeping for as long as I had worked on them.  MINOR amounts of coolant are one concern, if leak oil can ignore except the mess.  Blocks erode at water passages and as heads 'wiggle' on the block deck.  As a quick check have a Mechanic inspect for broken head bolt in the head to head juncture areas, not unheard of to do this. IF has a broken Head bolt just do all three head gaskets and ALL new head bolts, do NOT let someone argue for reusing them.  Way I used to do this is a solid Steel rod, about 5/8" diameter and about 18" long, lightly drop on end against head bolt heads in between heads, should bounce and ring, a 'Thok' or Weak hit with no ring will find bolt has broken.

 

Dave