CHECKING OUR CUMMINS HEAD BOLTS AT 270,000 MILES

BY JASON SANDS

Brown’s Diesel technician Gustavo “Goose” Quezada started by removing the engine cover on our stock, highmileage engine.

There are a few things that need to be taken off in order to gain access to all 26 head bolts. The intake horn was the first item to be removed.

Cummins diesel engines are known for their insane reliability over upwards of 500,000 miles. When it comes to doubling their horsepower, however, there are a few precautions to be taken. Besides the “killer dowel pin” problem, which we’ve covered in the past but will revisit soon, Cummins engines are also prone to blown head gaskets—a problem that can happen at any time. Unfortunately, head gasket reliability depends on how warped the Cummins head has become during many years and miles of driving. We’ve seen some trucks survive at 50 psi with nitrous, while other trucks start leaking at 200 rwhp with the fuel plate removed. It’s just the luck of the draw.