My buddy (40 plus years as friends) is selling me his 97 2500. It has the Cummins with 5sp and 135000 miles on it. I have worked on this truck for him many times over the years. Mostly hard parts like brakes u joints and lines etc. I have never had a problem with the engine. I myself own a 2004
(not 2004 &1/2) 3500 with a Cummins and auto trans. My question is does the 97 engine have an ECM. I thought this was the very last year of the mechanical engine. I can understand it needing a ECM if the truck came with a auto trans. I havent looked at the truck for a good year or more, and he just called the other night and said the drivers window just fell into the door.
The truck is rusted out big time, so at this point I plan to part it out. Oh this engine is also the one known for the KDP right?

Thanks
Ken

 

Sure is.

No ECM on a 12 valve, they have what's called a PCM but about the only engine function it controls is the alternator.

 

Yup thoes where my thoughts too. So I have people intrested in the axles and two guys at work want the engine. The trans I might keep for my jeep. So I have been watching ebay to see what to see what engines are going for. Some have starting bids of $2500 and dont see a a single bid. I plan to do a sale of intercooler rad to bellhousing and wires as wanted by the buyer. And then part out the rest on craigs list. So I pull the engine out, mount it on a pallet etc. What the heck should I try to get for it? Diesel is now more than gas so it's not that economical to do a swap as it used to be. Keeping in mind I'm getting a deal on the truck to start. Do I go for A $2000 B $2500 C $3000 D +++++ What do you guys think.

Ken

 

I used to hear $3000 all the time but with the current economy...

 

Yea, keep in mind the bottom has dropped out on these trucks, guys can buy a truck cheaper than it would be to buy a engine and install it.

The axles, tranny, and cummins specific stuff on the truck would be probably the most valuable stuff.

That would have the 215 Hp pump on the engine though, it might be worth more than the rest of the engine........

 

You might make more parting the engine out than selling it whole.