Swap out turbo on DD Series 60?

[JKenworth]

Anyone ever do this?

Any tips or anything that are 'gotchas' when doing this?

-J

[allan5oh]

The most important thing is to tighten the housings after you adjust the turbo. They are NOT tight from the factory. If you do not tighten them the turbo WILL blow. They are loose because it needs to be adjusted (turned) during installation usually.

Use all new gaskets/seals.

[JKenworth]

Hey I appreciate the advice. I was not aware of that but usually I double check all the factory 'tightness' in anything I assemble.

I have a new exhaust clamp coming ($27) and the turbo came with 2 new gaskets...one for the exh manifold and one for the oil return/drain line.
The oil feed is a threaded thing. I will likely take the original one out of the old turbo and go get a new one. That fitting leaks. Im not sure what it is until I get the thing
apart. All of the intake side clamps are in perfect condition, so I was planning on reusing them of course. Not sure (yet) what other gaskets might be needed.
This is on a 99 DD Series 60 engine.

I have the BorgWarner K31 turbo. Looks like a nice unit. It's replacing a Garret. I believe thats the DD reman unit that is currently on there.

-J

[Windwalker]

I'd replace any of the clamps on the pressure side of the turbo... Clamps for the air ducts, that is. I wouldn't be too concerned with the ones that don't have to hold pressure, but those that do... I was told that you can not trust a clamp once it's been loosened, and I have had one blow. Without positive pressure in the manifold, you don't feel like you've got any more power than a Briggs and Stratton. New clamps should hold up. And, they don't cost that much.

Just to be on the safe side, I'd carry an extra or two.

[JKenworth]

Thanks guys...

Today I decided to find out why the oil feed line to the turbo was leaking.
The flare nut is stripped and someone jammed it onto the turbo fitting when they replaced the turbo last time.

There is nothing I can do here but replace the pipe. Kenworth is no help due to the fact that it's a Detroit.
I wonder if anyone has any decent/affordable source for DD parts?

Item #11+#12 in the photo is what I am after..

[Windwalker]

Mine was a Freightliner Classic with an N-14+. Anytime I had to go to Freightliner for parts, I got racked over the coals. I had better luck getting parts from an International, Kenworth, or Pete dealer. But, Detroit and Freightliner are owned by the same guys, so you might try there.

[JKenworth]

Thanks..Yea our Freightshaker dealer here is Truck Country.
They are nice guys but with 'one-off' type of purchases I can never command or demand a decent price!

My next thought was to try Inland Diesel...they only do Detroit's.

And yes, I still love my DD. I might be one of 3 people in the USA, but she has treated me very well. In fact the Detroit
and the Trans are about the only part of the rig that hasnt cost me an arm/leg!