MaximS
Junior Member
Great site, just joined. I've been reading up on the 6.4/5.7 gas engines and Cummins for a while now. Between this forum and other info sources online, I think I've got the basics on the 6.4/5.7 gas engines. I was looking to see if I could get some overall perspective on the lifters/cam issue.
I'm in the market for a used C&C work truck - 4500 would work for me, also 5500. Not sure about a 3500, a bit light in capacity, but I haven't ruled it out yet. Looking to stick with gas - it will cost more in fuel to run, but I think I would spend any fuel savings and more on diesel maintenance and repair.
It I stay with 4500/5500 trucks, that would leave me RAM and Ford since GM hasn't produced a gas truck in this GVWR range since I think 2008 or 2009. Ford would probably be the V10, the early 7.3 gas engines seem to have some trouble and anything newer is probably not in my budget range.
Gas RAM 4500/5500s would be the 6.4. I rented a 3/4 ton with the 6.4 last season and pulled a 12k lbs loaded dump trailer and the performance was ok with me. Seems like the only real issue is the lifters taking out the camshaft. It sounds like it's not across the board, many 6.4s don't have the problem?
Prevention - here is what I read on prevention. Bump up the idle speed seems like something pretty well accepted. High volume oil pump - seems to get mixed reviews, leans toward not worth it unless maybe you are all ready in the engine.
If a lifter fails and you catch it early, what I'm reading is go back in with OEM lifters and a cam. There are no aftermarket "bulletproof" options? I can see going back with an OEM cam, but there are no upgraded/updated lifters that could be installed?
Last issue seems to be MDS - not sure if the 3500-5500 6.4s have MDS? I think I read somewhere that they all do? Does MDS take out the lifters? What I read is maybe not? If these 6.4s have MDS I think I see both programming changes to disable the MDS and also MDS delete kits with hardware - which is the recommended way to go?
If I find a good condition 4500/5500 with a 6.4 and buy it - other than increasing idle speed and an MDS disable if needed, would it be recommended to do anything else on a preventive basis or do you wait to see if the problem occurs and the resolve it then during repairs?
Thanks in advance for any perspective - ton of info out there, just a bit challenging to draw some conclusions with no previous experience with the engines.
I'm in the market for a used C&C work truck - 4500 would work for me, also 5500. Not sure about a 3500, a bit light in capacity, but I haven't ruled it out yet. Looking to stick with gas - it will cost more in fuel to run, but I think I would spend any fuel savings and more on diesel maintenance and repair.
It I stay with 4500/5500 trucks, that would leave me RAM and Ford since GM hasn't produced a gas truck in this GVWR range since I think 2008 or 2009. Ford would probably be the V10, the early 7.3 gas engines seem to have some trouble and anything newer is probably not in my budget range.
Gas RAM 4500/5500s would be the 6.4. I rented a 3/4 ton with the 6.4 last season and pulled a 12k lbs loaded dump trailer and the performance was ok with me. Seems like the only real issue is the lifters taking out the camshaft. It sounds like it's not across the board, many 6.4s don't have the problem?
Prevention - here is what I read on prevention. Bump up the idle speed seems like something pretty well accepted. High volume oil pump - seems to get mixed reviews, leans toward not worth it unless maybe you are all ready in the engine.
If a lifter fails and you catch it early, what I'm reading is go back in with OEM lifters and a cam. There are no aftermarket "bulletproof" options? I can see going back with an OEM cam, but there are no upgraded/updated lifters that could be installed?
Last issue seems to be MDS - not sure if the 3500-5500 6.4s have MDS? I think I read somewhere that they all do? Does MDS take out the lifters? What I read is maybe not? If these 6.4s have MDS I think I see both programming changes to disable the MDS and also MDS delete kits with hardware - which is the recommended way to go?
If I find a good condition 4500/5500 with a 6.4 and buy it - other than increasing idle speed and an MDS disable if needed, would it be recommended to do anything else on a preventive basis or do you wait to see if the problem occurs and the resolve it then during repairs?
Thanks in advance for any perspective - ton of info out there, just a bit challenging to draw some conclusions with no previous experience with the engines.
