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Thread: 1990 1st Cummins Restoration

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    Basic Member JWK163's Avatar

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    1990 1st Cummins Restoration

    Ok guys, I'm about to pick up a 1990 dodge 2wd Cummins for me and my 14 year boy to start restoring for his first truck.

    I've got a 2011 Cummins but not real familiar with these earlier years.

    What is the benefit to convert this from a VE pump to a P pump?

    Or should we even swap to a p pump?

    I know I'll have more questions once we go pick it up.


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    WE WILL STAND! IGOTACUMMINS's Avatar

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    Re: 1990 1st Cummins Restoration

    @Polaraco is the man for this question!

    "The grass is greener where you water it"


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    More Powa! RATLIN'HP's Avatar

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    Re: 1990 1st Cummins Restoration

    I don't know your end goals, but my 14 year old would just want it to start.

    The p pump gets a bit tricky to start and especially tricky when it's cold.

    A mechanically tuned ve pump can over fuel a big single, and unless you're planning for twins a p pump is not necessary.

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    More Powa! RATLIN'HP's Avatar

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    Re: 1990 1st Cummins Restoration

    The forum geezer would know more about this but he mostly naps a lot. I'll tag him again.

    @Polaraco

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    Old & Grumpy! Polaraco's Avatar

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    Re: 1990 1st Cummins Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by JWK163 View Post
    Ok guys, I'm about to pick up a 1990 dodge 2wd Cummins for me and my 14 year boy to start restoring for his first truck.

    I've got a 2011 Cummins but not real familiar with these earlier years.

    What is the benefit to convert this from a VE pump to a P pump?

    Or should we even swap to a p pump?

    I know I'll have more questions once we go pick it up.
    Quote Originally Posted by RATLIN'HP View Post
    The forum geezer would know more about this but he mostly naps a lot. I'll tag him again.

    @Polaraco

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    Caugh sscceeeeeeeech Caugh Smack Smack Yawn Smack

    Say wha'?

    VE to P? Why?

    You'd be better off leaving the VE design and look into a few mods.

    The P has it's issues, some mentioned.

    Having owned both, I see no advantage in the P. If I recall right, the VE was more reliable.

    This falls in the category of lifting the truck.

    It's the rare case where it's successful.

    That and the P and VE are so old now, the experts are dying off.

    In my opinion, leave it alone. At 14, he's too young to be digging into something like this.

    Let him fix the body up or something.


    2003- 3500 RWD Automatic.
    S & B intake, BD Intercooler, Pusher Air Horn, MM3 Double R Tuning, Turbo Timer, electric Flex-a-lite fans, FASS 95,
    50 HP tips, upgrade to 351 turbo, 3.42 gears, Twin air compressors, air bags, Remote dual oil filters, Hellwig sway bar, Front Winch. Home made Fuel Heater, BD Exhaust brake with Torque Lock. Tons of TLC

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  11. Top Of Page | #6
    More Powa! RATLIN'HP's Avatar

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    Re: 1990 1st Cummins Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by Polaraco View Post
    Caugh sscceeeeeeeech Caugh Smack Smack Yawn Smack

    Say wha'?

    VE to P? Why?

    You'd be better off leaving the VE design and look into a few mods.

    The P has it's issues, some mentioned.

    Having owned both, I see no advantage in the P. If I recall right, the VE was more reliable.

    This falls in the category of lifting the truck.

    It's the rare case where it's successful.

    That and the P and VE are so old now, the experts are dying off.

    In my opinion, leave it alone. At 14, he's too young to be digging into something like this.

    Let him fix the body up or something.
    Ah you woke up finally, and its bed time for me.

    I agree.

    I think both pumps were pretty reliable, but the VE is more user friendly.

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    2015 Black Laramie CCSB 3500 SRW. Thuren Leveled With Fox 2.0 Shocks. Ride Rite Rear Air Bags With Wireless Airlift Onboard Air. 35" Toyos. All The Options Minus The Soot Cookers. RaceMe Ultra.

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  13. Top Of Page | #7
    Old & Grumpy! Polaraco's Avatar

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    Re: 1990 1st Cummins Restoration

    Quote Originally Posted by RATLIN'HP View Post
    Ah you woke up finally, and its bed time for me. I agree. I think both pumps were pretty reliable, but the VE is more user friendly.

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    I've had my head buried in my 62 this year.

    Now that I have some physical movement, I can get things done.

    Seems like everything I do can't be completed though. . . Sigh

    I'll tell ya, I hurt like hell by the end of the day.


    2003- 3500 RWD Automatic.
    S & B intake, BD Intercooler, Pusher Air Horn, MM3 Double R Tuning, Turbo Timer, electric Flex-a-lite fans, FASS 95,
    50 HP tips, upgrade to 351 turbo, 3.42 gears, Twin air compressors, air bags, Remote dual oil filters, Hellwig sway bar, Front Winch. Home made Fuel Heater, BD Exhaust brake with Torque Lock. Tons of TLC

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  15. Top Of Page | #8
    Aboshan's Avatar

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    Re: 1990 1st Cummins Restoration

    I owned a 90 W250 for many years. I sold it to an old neighbor who still owns it. 340k miles and runs like a champ. I agree leave the pump alone. As they are those engines are the original million mile motors. If you find someone who knows those setups you can run it up to 280 hp with right tweaks on the pump which will be more than enough power on that old 12V. I got mine done for a 12 pack on a Saturday night from the local dealer tech where I lived at the time.

    The early Gen1's came with a host of issues as Chrysler was still trying to figure out how to build a truck around that engine. At a minimum I would upgrade the whole brake system as many in the first few years were not rated for the job then I would upgrade the radiator and cooling as the factory setups were not what they should have been. The stock brakes were horrible on my W250. The 90 model does not have an intercooler and it was a big debate back in the day on whether the intercooler actually did much for the old 12V. Those were the two big weak points I encountered with mine. On a personal note I upgraded the headlights as the factory ones were weak. Something else they were known for back in the day.

    Have fun with your son. I can't see it not being a great experience. My son and I are looking for a project vehicle but mine just turned 33. Now I feel old

    2018 Ram 3500 (Aisin) Laramie 4X4 CCSB White/Silver.
    2018 Mustang GT Lightning Blue 6 spd manual.
    2021 Charger GT AWD Triple Nickel/Black



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  17. Top Of Page | #9
    Basic Member JWK163's Avatar

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    Re: 1990 1st Cummins Restoration

    Thanks for the input guys.

    I will leave it alone then.

    I've just have always heard guys changing from the VE to the P. But if the VE is more user friendly then I'll leave it in there.

    He is stoked to go pick it up next weekend and start messing with it.

    I know the first few things he wants to do is take the flatbed off and try to find a decent factory bed.

    Then he wants to sand it down and have it bed-lined desert tan with all black accents since his uncle is a Master Sargent in the Army.


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