some 5.9 purchase advice

[Classicfordguy]

Hey guys, old to oilburners new to the cummins forum. Hoping for a little advice. I have owned my F250 7.3 idi for years and since day one wanted a cummins in it.

My goal like everyone else is a bit more power and and fuel milege. I'm 22 and in college so all I use my truck for is pulling a lawn trailer and a crappy camper once a year. I would like to make it road trip worthy so I can start traveling with it in the summers.

Can you guys give me some advice on what to look for? 12 or 24 valve? Running low miles or something I can rebuild? I don't mind rebuilding, I rebuilt my 7.3 last year and had fun doing it.

Found on craigslist today in my area a 5.9 "core" has turbo and all accesories, looks like a serpintine belt setup. says it has a P series pump whatever that means. price is $750. Does this look like a good starting point/deal? I'll know more when the guy answeres his phone.

Thanks in advance for any help

Rob

 

[towcat]

getting a P-pumped cummins is probably the best you're going to get.
be careful about buying a core though, do expect to pay about three to four times as much for the same parts on the cummins as you would on the ford.

 

[Classicfordguy]

Well I was able to talk to the guy, turns out the block is junk, probably threw a rod or something. Is it still worth say $500 to get it for the P pump and all the other brackets and accesories?

Thanks,

-Rob

 

[Whit]

94-98 vintage, 12 valver P-pump

coupled up with the manual it came with a 215 pump

the best transplant to find is 94-98 manual tranny

98.5 is 24 valver so dont get confused there cuz most owners call it a 98

 

[towcat]

Well I was able to talk to the guy, turns out the block is junk, probably threw a rod or something. Is it still worth say $500 to get it for the P pump and all the other brackets and accesories?

Thanks,

-Rob

imho it's worth buying.

 

[argve]

Yep - it's worth it.

As Whit said the best combo to have is the later model manual tranny engines because the injection pumps are set up for more power. Now that doesn't mean that the others are no slouches as I have an early manual tranny p-pump and she can and will run like a scaled cat when I ask her to and she's not turned up all that much $$$ wise.

 

[rebel_horseman]

I've got to echo what the others have said. The ideal setup is the '94-98 12v engines. All of these engines are mechanically injected with the very capable Bosch P7100 injection pump (hence the description "P-pump"). The lack of electronics lends itself to swaps into other rigs. Also like everyone said, the bolt action trannie is the way to go, again because there are no electronics and it's very simple.

The next choice would be one of the '91.5-'93 1st Gen Cummins engines. While they have the less desirable Bosch VE pump that is not quite as capable power wise, it too is mechanically injected and a very easy swap. Power upgrades with it are essentially free until you swap out injectors and turbos. But cranking the smoke screw and full fuel screw is free. the disadvantage here is that you will still need to find a 2nd Gen NV4500 trannie with transfer case to get the front shaft on the correct side for your 250. these engines are every bit as tough and when tuned can put out a good amount of power.

 

[Classicfordguy]

Greate info guys, I'll look into snagging that 5.9 as a start.

What about rebuilding one instead of buying a runner, is that the way to go? I rebuilt my 7.3, is the 5.9 any more technical? I think that is what I would prefer, I like knowing how the whole thing works.

-Rob

 

[opusd2]

The next choice would be one of the '91.5-'93 1st Gen Cummins engines. While they have the less desirable Bosch VE pump that is not quite as capable power wise, it too is mechanically injected and a very easy swap. Power upgrades with it are essentially free until you swap out injectors and turbos. But cranking the smoke screw and full fuel screw is free. the disadvantage here is that you will still need to find a 2nd Gen NV4500 trannie with transfer case to get the front shaft on the correct side for your 250. these engines are every bit as tough and when tuned can put out a good amount of power.

My sister and cousin both have a 1st Gen Cummins. When comparing my sister's 93 to my brothers 94 I would have to honestly take the 93. Sure it doesn't spool up as quickly, but the power is still a bit better in stock form.

Just my opinion as a truck driver and farmboy who has pulled more than a few large loads of product in his day

 

[opusd2]

I would say that a straight 6 is easier to build than a V8. It's just easier to balance a straight line of cans than to do the V setup. Just my opinion

 

[argve]

You will probably find a running 5.9 because they don't blow up that often unless the PO was just down right evil.... trust me I don't treat mine nice at all and she's holding together like a rock (knock on wood)

 

[Classicfordguy]

Thanks for the info, much appeciated. I'll keep ya posted on how it goes.

-Rob