Detroit Series 60 Rebuild Cost [DIY & Pro Install]
The Detroit Series 60 has long been revered as the best engine that has ever been made for semi-trucks. There are many people who seek out these engines for their reliability and power.
This is an engine that can be expensive to rebuild, however, and those who own a truck with this engine in it should be prepared for the costs that are associated with this process if it should be necessary.
The average price for a Detroit Series 60 rebuild is between $15,000 and $20,000. The labor is usually the largest factor that increases the price for this kind of rebuild and it can account for all but $3,000 or so of the cost.
Additional parts might need to be replaced that you did not expect when the engine is torn apart.
The cost of rebuilding any engine can be prohibitive, and the labor hours can really add up if things do not go to plan. You should expect that labor will cost you $60 per hour and there could be weeks of labor into a job of this size.
You cannot go to just anyone for this service either, which means that dealers and mechanics can ask whatever amount they want for the service in some areas.
How Much Does a Rebuild Kit Cost?
You might have the skills to do this rebuild yourself, and that means that you might want to look into getting a rebuild kit. These kits can vary in price, but you will not have to pay for labor, so it might work out to be a good saving for you overall.
The biggest consideration is whether or not you have the hours to put into the rebuild since you will not be able to use the truck during the time that it is being rebuilt.
| Kit | Cost |
|---|---|
| Detroit Diesel Series 60 Kit for 11.1, 12.7 Ltr engines piston-less kit | $1,402 |
| Detroit Diesel Series 60 for 11.1, 12.7 Ltr engines with cast iron piston, standard dome 15:1 ratio | $2,295 |
| Detroit Diesel Series 60 Kit for 11.1, 12.7 Ltr engines articulated piston, aluminum skirt 16.5:1 ratio | $2,284 |
| Detroit Diesel Series 60 Kit for 11.1, 12.7 Ltr engines articulated piston, aluminum skirt 16.5:1 ratio | $2,686 |
| Detroit Diesel Series 60 Kit for 11.1, 12.7 Ltr engines articulated piston, aluminum skirt 15:1 ratio | $2,727 |
| Cast iron Cylinder kit 15:1 ratio | $400 |
As you can see, the actual parts will not be nearly as much as the amount that you are quoted which includes labor. You might not get all of the parts that you need in this kit, and there could be some additional items that you will need to buy.
You should also consider that you might have to buy expensive tools if you do not already have access to a full auto shop for this project.
Being able to do your own rebuild can save you a lot of money but you will likely not be able to work with this truck during the time that the rebuild is in progress and this can be a very long process if you are not able to devote your full energy to the project.
You will find that labor is very expensive but that your time and energy have value as well. You might still be money ahead by having someone else do the rebuild, rather than taking time off work to do it yourself.
How Much Does it Cost to Have a Detroit Series 60 Rebuild Done For you?
The average cost can vary per your area. There are some locations that are not as expensive and these are usually locales that have a mechanic or dealership that does this kind of work all the time.
It can be much more expensive if you live in an area that does not have access to all of the parts or does not offer a dealership or mechanic who is experienced in taking care of this rebuild.
In addition to these considerations based on area, rebuilds are offered by Detroit at various levels. You can get a Step up 1 which is the inframe and new injectors or Step 2 which is a new water pump and oil pump in addition to the other items. Step 3 includes a new head and turbo on top of the other items.
The cost for these parts can impact your overall cost for your rebuild.
| Location | Price |
|---|---|
| North Carolina | $15,000-$30,000 |
| St. Louis | $8,000 |
| Tennessee | $10,000-$15,000 |
| Tampa | $18,000 |
| Arizona | $13,500 |
| North Carolina | $10,000 |
| Ohio | $12,000 |
The variables in cost are associated solely with labor in most cases. There might be different amounts that are charged for labor if you are working with a smaller shop versus a large shop or dealership as well.
The cost of labor on average is $60/ hour in most locations, but you might find that you will pay much more in areas that do not have a mechanic or a dealer who can work on this process easily.
If you end up traveling to have this service completed for you, you might need to plan on the fuel costs to drive the truck to this location and then travel expenses to get you home.
These costs can add exponentially to your overall cost for the rebuild and you should add these considerations into your total cash outflow for the rebuild.
How Much Does a New Turbocharger Cost for a Detroit Series 60?
This can be another part of your engine rebuild that really adds to your overall cost. You might not have to replace the turbocharger in your engine, but if you do, you should know how much this part costs.
Your location as well as the necessity for shipping to your location can add to the cost of the replacement part.
| Location | Cost |
|---|---|
| Idaho | $500 |
| California | $700 |
| Arizona | $350 |
| Colorado | $550 |
| Minnesota | $500 |
| Iowa | $350 |
As you can see, the average cost can vary quite a bit based on your location. Ideally, you will be able to find this part in your local area so that you do not have to pay for shipping to get it to you.
This is not a small part and shipping could really add up for items like this, increasing the total cost of your overall rebuild.
How Many Hours Will a Total Engine Overhaul Take?
This is really the biggest question when you are looking into a Detroit Series 60 rebuild. You could start the project thinking that you will not have to do an overhaul and then find out that you cannot save anything in the engine.
This can be a tough choice if you have already sunk a lot of money into the job and now are finding out that it will be an overhaul.
The average time that it takes to do an overhaul can vary, but you should expect about 40-60 hours of work into this kind of job. At $60 an hour, this can really add up. The overhaul could run you $2,400 for the low time estimate and $3,600 or more for longer time estimates.
At a shop that does not handle these kinds of jobs consistently, the cost for labor might be lower but the hours might be higher.
How Much Does a Replacement Detroit Series 60 Engine Cost?
If you have been told that you cannot fix your existing engine and you need to replace it, you will need to look into getting a replacement engine. The miles that are on the engine can affect the price and certain engine years are more expensive than others.
There will also be labor to change out the engine and you need to consider that there will be about 10-15 hours of labor that might need to be put into this process to change to the new engine.
You will also find that various sellers will offer different warranty lengths for the engines that they sell.
| Engine | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1995 Detroit Series 60 | $4,499 $9,000 |
| 2002 Detroit Series 60 | $8,500-$9,500 |
| 1999 Detroit Series 60 | $9,000-$12,000 |
If the engine is very affordable, it might not be in pristine condition either. You will need to be careful to ask about how much money will be needed to correct the issues that are going on with the engine in its current state.
This can be the toss-up between buying a used engine that might not need to be rebuilt and fixing the engine that you already have.
Related Guides
Detroit Series 60 Rebuilds Can be Expensive
This is a very nice engine and it is often worth it to people to make sure that they can afford to rebuild their engine.
This is sometimes an arduous process that will require more money than you expected and there are instances where it might be easier to get another engine instead of rebuilding your existing engine.
Always consider the costs associated with the labor when you are thinking of having this overhaul done to your Detroit Series 60.
