Cummins ISX cheaper parts

[Marajin]

(02-23-2016 )yamajason Wrote:  Are there any worthy shortcuts or discounted parts for a Cummins ISX CM871 with a bad valve cam lobe and rocker roller?

The engine had an inframe rebuild done at 1 million miles, no head work done at that time. Now at 1,150,000 miles it has a bad valve cam lobe and rocker roller, and it smokes at startup only, so I think it has worn valve guide seals. Unknown repair history prior to 1M mile.

If we have to pull the head to do the camshaft replacement, I am leaning more towards replacing the head also.

New Cummins OEM is probably the most reliable way to go on all the parts here...but just to be thorough, are there any discounted "OEM quality" parts or reman that you would recommend?

Anyone use PAI (USA made Cummins ISX Head Gasket Set) for less than half the OEM cost?

I remember Gearhead saying that Reman Cummins heads were more likely to spin a bearing than a new one.

Please share your experience here, Thanks!

any time you pull the head off a cummins isx engine that has more than 450k miles on the head, it should be replaced. this is the rule of thumb, and now you have proof as to why.