Remanufacturing a Cummins 4BT Diesel engine involves many steps and manipulation of certain components to complete the process. Below you'll see the components that are contained within the engine and how those components are handled by us during the remanufacturing process. Think of them as the steps towards a quality engine.

Engine Block/Case
The rebuilding process starts at the bare cylinder block/case. Every engine is stripped down to the bare block to examine it carefully to determine whether or not it will be suitable for rebuilding.

Checking For...
  • Internal Cracks
  • External Cracks
  • Cylinder Wall Cracks
  • Deck Surface Cracks
  • Cam Bore Case Size
  • Crank Bore Case Size
  • Cylinder Bore Size
  • Damaged Threads

Machine Work Performed...
  • Bore Cyl. Max .040"
  • Precision Hone Cyl.
  • Sleve as Required
  • Resurface Block Deck
  • Head Bolt Holes Tapped

Finish Work On Block...
  • Thorough Cleaning
  • Case Plugs Installed
  • New Water Jacket Plugs
  • Fasteners Cleaned
  • Painted To Color


Crankshaft
The Crankshaft of any engine is one of the primary components of the engine's internal rotating assembly.

Checking For...
  • Rod Journal Size
  • Main Journal Size
  • Crank Straightness
  • Fasteners Threads
  • Physical Damage

Machine Work Performed...
  • Polish Rod Journals
  • Polish Main Journals
  • Renew Woodruff Keys
  • Turn Rod Journals
  • Turn Main Journals
  • Turned .010, .020, .030


Camshaft & Lifters

The Camshaft and related lifters are also serviced as part of the rebuilding process. Remanufactured lifters are used and a used but checked cam is used.


Checking For...
  • Cam Bearing Diameter
  • Cam Lobe Sizes
  • Physical Damage
  • Block Lifter Bores
  • Check Cam Gear
  • Only Used If STD Size

Machine Work Performed...
  • Polish Bearing Journals
  • Polish Lobes
  • Renew Woodruff Keys
  • Reman Lifter inspection


Rockers & Pushrods

Besides the Cam and Lifters, another component of the valve-train consists of the Rocker Arm Assemblies and the Pushrods.


Checking For...
  • Rocker Stem Wear
  • Rocker Socket Wear
  • Rocker Retainers
  • Rocker Shaft Condition
  • Pushrod Ball Wear
  • Pushrod Straightness

Machine Work Performed...
  • Thourally Clean


Connecting Rods
The connecting rods of the engine are extensively remanufactured, further than many machine shops do.


Machine Work Performed...
  • Matching Rod Lengths.
  • New Wrist Pin Bushings
  • Shot "Peened"


Cylinder Heads
The Cylinder Heads are an important component of any engine as they are the "lungs" of the engine. Cylinder head performance is critical, maintaining that performance starts at a quality remanufactured cylinder head.


Checking For...
  • Cylinder Face Cracks
  • Valve Seat Cracks
  • Valve Bowl Cracks
  • Valve & Seat Wear
  • Valve Springs
  • Guide Clearance
  • Valve Condition
  • Rotators & Cups
  • Head Straightness
  • Fastener Threads
  • Overall Head Thickness

Machine Work Performed...
  • Reface usable Valves
  • Reface Valve Seats
  • Replace Seats as nec.
  • Set Valve Recession
  • Set Valve Stem Length
  • Head Surface Trued
  • Stem Guides Replaced
  • 3-Angle Valve Grind


Bolt On Items
Many items are checked and re-used with a remanufactured engine, they're listed below.


Components Inspected...
  • Oil Pan
  • Timing Cover
  • Harmonic Balancer
  • Valve Covers
  • Other Build-2-Order Items


New Internals
Below you'll see the components that simply get replaced in every remanufactured engine and what components we prefer to use to ensure you're getting a quality engine.


Pistons
  • MAHLE
  • .020, .030, .040 Max
  • STD Compression
  • OR .010" Topped
  • W/ New Pin Retainers
  • W/ New Wrist Pin
  • W/ Annodized Crown
  • W/ Coated Skirts

Piston Rings
  • MAHLE
  • .020, .030, .040 Max
  • Proper End-Gap
  • 2-Piece Oil Ring

Engine Bearings
  • KING Or Clevite 77
  • STD or OS Rod
  • STD or OS Main
  • Standard Cam Bearing

Misc. Components
  • Wrist Pin Bushings
  • Threaded Block Plugs
  • Block Soft Plugs
  • Head Valve locks

Gaskets & Seals
  • Felpro
  • Head Gaskets STD
  • Head Gaskets +.010
  • Front Main Seal
  • Rear Main Seal 1-p




Engine Assembly
After final machining processes have been completed and components used in the engine have been inspected the engine is then assembled, and various things are checked and performed during assembly.


Items Verified...
  • Main Bearing Clearance
  • Rod Bearing Clearance
  • Cam Bearing Clearance
  • Camshaft endplay
  • Crankshaft endplay
  • Install KDP Plate
  • Piston Ring Endgap
  • Piston Height




Upgrades & Options


Beyond the OEM oriented rebuild offered above several upgrades and options are available. Many of the upgrades and options offered below are geared at either improving the overall durability of the engine or to improve power output, and in many cases both.

Balancing
A true balancing of the rotating assembly is a highly recommended upgrade for any engine.

The Balancing is completed using a Multi-Bal 3000 balancer that uses computer software to analyze the crankshaft with calibrated bob weights. The Bob weights are used to simulate the same weight as the other components of the rotating assembly. The balancing starts at matching weights of the rods and the piston assemblies (pin and piston).

Benefits...
  • Smoother Running
  • Reduced Crank Fatigue
  • Longer Crank Life
  • Reduced Internal Wear
  • Increased Power

In Order to complete the balancing the majority of the engine's rotating assembly components must be modified.

Components Modified...
  • Match Piston Weight
  • Match Rod Weight
  • Modify Crank Throws





Cyl. Head Porting
Cylinder Head Porting and Gasket Matching can be an added edge towards improving power output of the 4BT Removing unnecessary material from the exhaust ports of the cylinder head helps airflow into and out of the engine. By increasing air volume through the engine, the overall potential for increased power output is improved.

Depending on the need, a gasket/port match, port blend, or full porting may be peformed.

Benefits...
  • Increased Power
  • Lower EGT's
  • Less Black Smoke
  • Better Fuel Economy



Lower Compression Ratio
Lowering the effective compression ratio of the 4BT engine is a method of increasing durability of the engine while running at higher than designed power levels. There are many different ways of lowering the compression ratio of an engine. The method used here is by reducing the piston's height or the use of aftermarket pistons where available.

Benefits...
  • Safer At High Power
  • Increase HP Potential
  • Increase TQ Potential
  • Allows for More Boost
  • Allows for More Fuel
  • Best Head Gasket Life
  • Less Block Stress
  • Less Crank Stress
  • Decreased Wear



ARP Head Studs
ARP's head studs provide greater clamping force between the block and the cylinder head and are a performance oriented upgrade. The studs replace the factory bolts, and the smaller rocker arm petistal mounting bolts with a higher-quality bolt.

Benefits...
  • Less Gasket Failure
  • Better Clamping
  • Stronger
  • Re-usable



Ceramic Coatings
High Temperature Ceramic Coatings can be applied to a number of components that are subjected to the extreme temperatures associated with engine combustion. The coating is designed to reflect heat away from the component that it is applied to, thus providing a protective layer for the component.

Items To Protect and Coat...
  • Piston Crowns
  • Head Exhaust Ports
  • Head Exhaust Bowls
  • Head Chamber
  • Intake Valves
  • Exhaust Valves
  • Exhaust Manifold
  • Exhaust Manifold Ports

Most of the uses of ceramics are for the protection of the engine components to help them resist the heat that can destroy them. In some instances, ceramics can also be applied to protect external components such as exhaust manifolds and headers against rust, and insulate heat away from the engine.

Benefits...
  • Heat Rejection
  • Increased Engine Life
  • Less Part Cracking
  • Less Coolant Temp
  • increased component life


Gapless Piston Rings
By Using Gapless Piston Rings manufactured by Total Seal Inc., Diesel engine blow-by can be greatly reduced in the engine with a better sealing ring. This upgrade utilizes Total Seal's 2nd Ring Groove ring, and uses Mahle's top compression ring and superior 2-piece oil control ring already used in the standard rebuild package.

Benefits...
  • Less Blow-By
  • Cleaner Engine Oil
  • More Compression
  • More Power



Fluidampnr Balancer
Upgrading the factory balancer to the fluiddampr balancer can help to reduce internal harmonics with the engine.

Benefits...
  • Safe Engine Harmonics
  • Smoother Running
  • Reduced Vibrations
  • Slight Power Increase
  • improved crank life