When it comes time to replacing your Powerstroke, Cummins, or Duramax diesel engine, paying the higher cost that some engine builders charge, doesn’t necessarily mean that you get a better remanufactured diesel engine.
When comparing almost all of the well known independently owned diesel engine builders around the country, one engine builder stands out. The best remanufactured diesel engines can be found at Asheville Engine, Inc. Asheville Engine has been building diesel engines longer, and have built thousands more diesel engines, before the other companies even started building engines.Â
The fact is that two of the most recognized Ford Powerstroke engine builders in the eastern U.S. were customers of Asheville Engine, long before they started building Powerstroke diesel engines. One of those engine builders trusted Asheville Engine to build Powerstroke diesel engines for their service and repair shop for about a decade building their own..
If experience matters to you.
All of the machinists who do the machining of the engine blocks and cylinder heads for Asheville Engine have been machinists for over 25 years. Â
Every engine builder who assembles the engines at Asheville Engine have been building engines since the mid 70’s to the late 80’s. That’s right, Asheville Engine has the most experienced professional engine builders in the industry. Asheville Engine doesn’t have twenty-something year old kids or inexperienced assembly line workers building engines.
Why do most companies charge from $2,000. to $5,000. more for a comparable remanufactured diesel engine than what Asheville Engine charges?
- Advertising costs:Â If a company spends $600,000. per year on advertising and builds 300 engines, they have to add $2,000.00 to the cost of every engine sold. Asheville Engine hasn’t spent money on advertising. They have always relied on word-of-mouth advertising by happy customers.
- Greed:Â Let’s face it, somebody needing a new engine is in a position to be taken advantage of. Many engine builders add things such as “delipped thermal coated pistons” and other items to simple replacement engines to make customers think that they are getting something that they “need”, when they really don’t.
- Inexperience: With technologically advanced machines to do the actual machining, and skilled workers increasingly difficult to find, most bigger engine builders hire unskilled assembly line workers to assemble the engines. The more engine failures a company has, the more they have to add to the cost of their engines to make up for the losses. Do you really want to take that chance?
Comparing apples to applesÂ
For the purpose of keeping it simple, we’ll compare one engine, a 6.0 Powerstroke. The price differences between other companies and Asheville Engine are the same for the Duramax and Cummins engines.
There are no standardized terms for identifying various levels of engine builds. What one engine builder calls a “Stage 2 Tow Boss” another company might call a “Workhorse”. Asheville Engine sells what is referred to as a “Daily Driver Workhorse” long block for just $7,995.00
https://ashevilleengine.com/product/6-0-powerstroke-daily-driver-workhorse/
An Asheville Engine Daily Driver is also a real Workhorse. It’s one of the best remanufactured diesel engine and is a top seller.
An Asheville Engine “Daily Driver- Workhorse” is great for what most truck owners use their trucks for, both daily driving and work. It can be used for every day use, as well as for towing that camper or boat on the weekends. Asheville Engine also has hundreds of customers who work their trucks every day and swear that it’s the best remanufactured diesel engine built. They have purchased this “Daily Driver Workhorse” because it is built to work. Hot shot drivers tow freight all around the country on a daily basis with the “Daily Driver Workhorse” engine.
How does the “Daily Driver Workhorse” compare to other comparably built diesel engines from other companies, in terms of affordability?Â
There a several companies who are selling their “Tow Boss”, their “Stage 2”, their “Workhorse”, or whatever you want to call it for $4,000. to $6,000. more than what Asheville Engine sells their comparable engine for. For a price comparison, the comparison below is for one of the less expensive competitors engines.
One company in Tennessee sells their Stage 2 “Workhorse” for $12,500.00.That’s $4,505.00. higher than what Asheville Engine charges for a comparably built engine that will do the exact same job.
What do you get for that $4,505.00?Â
Asheville Engine long blocks are stripped (no oil pan, no covers), because you can reuse those “hard parts” from your old engine. It may take you 1 or 2 hours to remove them from the old engine, clean and paint them, and re-install them onto the new engine.
For $4,505.00, the other company includes an oil pan, a rear cover, thermal coated pistons, and a billet flex plate on their long block. This is what the extra $4,505.00 buys you. You pay for them to clean and paint an oil pan and rear cover from a core engine that another customer sent back. Those parts are bolted on to the long block along with a new billet flex plate which you can buy from Thoroughbred Diesel for about $500.00.
Is that all you get?
To be fair, they also advertise thermal piston coating in their $12,500.00 long block. The thermal piston coating costs them less than $500.00 but it is an unnecessary add-on. Unless your Exhaust Gas Temperatures are 1,300 to 1,600 degrees on a regular basis, you don’t need thermal coating on the pistons. If you do have EGT’s that high, you need to shut your engine off and get it fixed.
Of course, those of you who are over-fueling your engine and hitting those high EGT’s while racing, or pulling a sled at the County Fair, thermal coated pistons can help to avoid melted pistons. For you, Asheville Engine sells a “COMPETITOR” engine build with everything you need for a reliable 1,000+ HP engine. It sells for $3,264. more than the “Workhorse” from the other company, but it also includes over $6.300. in additional upgrades.
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Asheville Engine publishes engine descriptions, available upgrades and prices for every Duramax, Cummins and Powerstroke remanufactured diesel engine that they sell on their web site at http://www.AshevilleEngine.com
You can also contact them by calling 828-775-0450
What if all you want is the lowest cost, properly built 6.0 Powerstroke replacement engine?
An Asheville Engine “Basic Build” is built right with new parts.
Description: Engine block and cylinder heads have been magnafluxed and pressure tested, then all of the proper machining has been done. Â
NEW engine parts include:
- Main bearings
- Cam bearings
- Rod bearings
- Rod bolts
- Lifters
- Chromoly Push rods
- Valve guides
- Valve seals
- Valve springs
- Pistons with rings
- ARP 250-4202 Head Studs                                                       Follow this link for details on the “Basic Build” https://ashevilleengine.com/product/6-0-powerstroke-basic-build/Â
What about other brand diesel engines?
Asheville Engine has a number of Duramax diesel engine builds for the LB7, LLY, LBZ, LMM, and LML.
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Whether you need a Duramax diesel engine for your Chevrolet or your GMC truck, every engine that leaves Asheville Engine is built to a higher standard than the original OEM engine.
Built in problems with Duramax engines and the fixes.
Piston cracking: This was not much of a problem in the earlier years, but the pistons were redesigned in the later model engines and were prone to cracking. Every Duramax long block built by Asheville Engine has the stronger LB7 pistons.
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Broken Crankshafts: Overall, Duramax engines were not balanced very well from the factory which contributed to a lot of crankshafts breaking.  From 2001 with the introduction of the Duramaz LB7 through the 2016 LML, every engine was built on the same platform. As General Motors continued to compete for customers, they built engines with more horsepower and torque every time they came out with a new power plant. By 2011, with the introduction of the 2011-16 LML engine, the engine had reached it’s breaking point. The likelihood of a broken crankshaft increased as truck owners added additional power through aftermarket tuners and by adding larger injectors, turbos, and other aftermarket parts. Broken cranks is such a big problem in the LML engines that GM scrapped the platform and the L5P Duramax engine was introduced in 2017.
Crankshafts better than OEMÂ
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Every Duramax remanufactured diesel engine that Asheville Engine builds has a properly balanced crankshaft to help eliminate the problem of broken cranks. For customers who want added horsepower and performance, Asheville Engine recommends adding a brand new Callies Compstar-Durastar crankshaft. https://www.callies.com/upcp_product/compstar-duramax/
With several different Duramax engine offerings and a variety of upgrades, you’re certain to find an engine built for the performance and reliability that you are looking for.
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Gears spinning on crankshafts and camshafts: When the Duramax engines were built, the gears were pinned with steel pins about the size of a ballpoint pen insert, instead of using a Woodruff key to keep the gears from spinning. Every Duramax engine that comes from Asheville Engine has keyways cut in the crankshaft and the camshaft and Woodruff keys added to prevent the gears from spinning.
For added reliability: Every Asheville Engine Duramax long block is assembled with ARP MAIN bolts, ROD bolts, and HEAD studs.
The best remanufactured diesel engine in the Duramax line-up comes from Asheville Engine, Inc.
Cummins Remanufactured Diesel Engines
Just as with the various levels of engine builds that are available with the Duramax and Powerstroke engines, Asheville Engine offers a “Basic Build” all the way up to high performance offerings for Dodge and Ram trucks. Whether you are in the market for a 12V P-Pump, a 5.9 Cummins or a 6.7 Cummins, Asheville Engine can deliver.
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The “Basic Build” is not a cheap engine build. It is a properly built remanufactured diesel engine at an affordable price. All of the proper machining has been done by professional machinists and the engine is assembled with new parts. This engine is designed for stock level performance and includes:
- New Pistons
- New head, main, and rod bolts
- New main and rod bearings
- Remanufactured Cylinder Head
- Reconditioned stock camshaft
- All new gaskets (upper and lower sets)
- New lifters
- Reconditioned crankshaft
- Reconditioned OEM connecting rods
Cummins diesel engines with upgrades such as ARP 625 Custom Age Head Studs, HD valve springs and pushrods and other performance upgrades are also available. All of the offerings for Cummins diesel engines can be found by following this link. https://ashevilleengine.com/cummins-products/
Asheville Engine, Inc. offers the best remanufactured diesel engine in both Cummins 5.9 and 6.7
 For more information, they can be contacted by email at AshevilleEngine@aol.com or by calling them at 828-775-0450
How do you know if a company is honest about their Warranty?
On more than one occasion, Asheville Engine is called upon to “FIX” an engine that had been purchased from another engine builder because their warranty claim was denied. The majority of the customers who call had purchased the engine from the same engine builder for three reasons.Â
1. They advertise a lot (adding to the cost of their over priced engines) which gives customers the impression that they are a big company, even though they have only been building engines for a few years.
2. They have a large Social Media presence. They post a lot of self promotion videos which include a lot of technical jargon that the general public doesn’t really understand. As a result, they get the impression that the owner really knows what he’s talking about.Â
3. They offer an unusually long warranty on their engines. What people don’t realize when they are making the purchase is that the warranty is so complicated. From the registration form to all of the records that need to be kept for the duration of the warranty makes it virtually impossible for a customer to fulfill their obligations. The warranty is setting the customer up to fail. It is essentially written for the purpose of denying any warranty claims.
Although that particular company advertises a warranty that covers half of a decade, what they don’t tell people is that their base model engines are only warranted for 12 months and the cylinder heads are only covered for 6 months.
It also stipulates that all commercially used engines are only warranted for 12 months or 20K miles.
What about Asheville Engine’s Warranty?
Asheville Engine has very simple warranties on every engine that they build, they offer a 12 month Repair & Replacement Warranty on every remanufactured diesel engine. Asheville Engine will either repair or replace an engine that they built regardless of how many miles the customer puts on the engine. It doesn’t matter if the engine is used for personal use or used by a hotshot driver who puts over 100,000 miles a year on the engine. The Repair & Replacement Warranty does not cover any labor charges outside of their shop.
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For nationwide labor coverage, Asheville Engine offers a 1 year and a 2 year Nationwide parts and labor warranty. These are offered at the additional cost of $895.00 for a 1 year, and $1,295.00 for a two year.Â
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Remember that price difference of $4,505.00 that was mentioned earlier? If you add the cost of the 2 year parts and labor Warranty to the price on an Asheville Engine, you are still saving $3,210. by purchasing the engine from Asheville Engine.
The Asheville Engine warranty is “honest” because it covers a failure if it is due to a machining or assembly failure or if it is due to a defect part, that was installed in the engine.Â
What basis is used to call the Asheville Engine Warranty honest?Â
Everybody who knows anything about remanufactured diesel engines will tell you: if a machinist or engine builder does something wrong, that engine will fail within the first couple thousand miles. Most failures would be almost immediate.
If Asheville Engine receives a defective part from a manufacturer, that part will fail within the first 12 months, unless the truck is not being driven.Â
Think about this. An engine operating at 2,000 RPM, being driven for an hour has rotated 120,000 times. If a customer puts 10,000 miles on their truck in a year, that engine has rotated 12 Million times. If the engine had a defective part in it, that part would not have done it’s job 12 Million times.
The Asheville Engine warranty is honest because any failure due to poor workmanship or a defective part is covered for 12 months. The “12 million” example above tells you that any failure after 12 months will be denied by any engine builder. For the person who only drives their truck 5,000 miles a year, Asheville Engine offers the 24 month parts and labor coverage at an additional cost. Â
Don’t be fooled by low cost remanufactured diesel engines
Many people advertising low cost “remanufactured” engines are actually selling “rebuilt” engines. They are actually lying to people just to make a buck. You need to understand the difference between a “REBUILT” engine and a “REMANUFACTURED” engine.
Rebuilt engines are engines that have been disassembled, it’s components inspected, and the parts cleaned. The rebuilder will reuse serviceable moving parts and replace broken or worn-out ones. But most experts advise against this type of engine reconditioning unless it’s relatively new and you’re confident the engine needs only a few specific replacement parts to fix the current problem.
Remanufactured engines go through extensive overhauls at machine shops or at factories. Technicians at these facilities tear down engines and remanufacture them to their original standards by re-machining to restore mechanical tolerances and replace all of the wear parts. Those critical components include new crankshaft and camshaft bearings, connecting rod bearings, pistons and rings, roller lifters, seals, gaskets, and much more.
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Asheville Engine publishes engine descriptions, available upgrades and prices for every Duramax, Cummins and Powerstroke engine that they sell on their web site at http://www.AshevilleEngine.com
You can call to place an order or order a diesel engine online. For more information, they can be contacted by email at AshevilleEngine@aol.com or by calling them at 828-775-0450.
A Guide to Engine Maintenance
How Proper Care Extends Engine Life, Reduces Downtime, and Saves Money
Diesel engines are built to work hard—but even the best engines will fail prematurely without proper maintenance. Unexpected downtime can delay projects, disrupt operations, and lead to costly emergency repairs.
Asheville Engine has spent decades remanufacturing engines. This guide, will break down things you need to know about diesel engine maintenance—what it involves, why it matters, and when it’s time to call in a professional.
Whether you manage construction equipment, generators, agricultural machinery, or industrial power systems, this guide will help you protect your investment.
Why Proper Engine Maintenance Matters
Skipping maintenance might save time today—but it almost always costs more later.
Benefits of Regular Maintenance
- Longer engine lifespan
- Improved fuel efficiency
- Reduced risk of catastrophic failure
- Lower total cost of ownership
- Safer operations
From experience, many major engine failures begin as minor issues that went unchecked.
Key Components of an Engine Maintenance Program, whether the engine is new or if it’s a remanufactured diesel engine.
A strong maintenance plan covers more than just oil changes. Here are the core areas that should never be overlooked.
1. Lubrication System
Oil is the lifeblood of your engine.
Maintenance includes:
- Regular oil and filter changes
- Monitoring oil pressure
- Checking for contamination or metal particles
Neglected lubrication is one of the most common causes of engine damage.
2. Cooling System
Overheating is a silent engine killer.
Maintenance tasks include:
- Inspecting hoses and belts
- Checking coolant levels and condition
- Cleaning radiators and heat exchangers
Mountain terrain and seasonal temperature swings make cooling system health especially critical.
3. Fuel System
Fuel issues can lead to power loss, hard starts, or complete shutdowns.
Key checks:
- Fuel filter replacement
- Injector inspection
- Fuel quality testing (especially for diesel engines)
Water or debris in fuel systems is a frequent issue in diesel fuel..
4. Air Intake and Exhaust
Restricted airflow reduces performance and increases wear.
Maintenance includes:
- Cleaning or replacing air filters
- Inspecting turbochargers
- Checking exhaust systems for leaks or blockages
Dust-heavy job sites make this step even more important.
5. Electrical and Control Systems
Modern diesel engines rely heavily on electronics.
Technicians should:
- Test sensors and wiring
- Inspect batteries and charging systems
- Check fault codes and engine controls
Ignoring electrical issues often leads to misdiagnosed problems and unnecessary repairs.
Common Engine Maintenance Mistakes
Here are a few patterns that seem to repeat themselves.
Avoid these costly mistakes:
- Waiting for failure instead of scheduling inspections
- Using incorrect fluids or filters
- Ignoring warning signs (smoke, noise, vibration)
- Skipping manufacturer service intervals
- Relying on untrained personnel for complex repairs
Preventive maintenance is always cheaper than emergency repair.
Repair vs. Remanufactured diesel enginesÂ
Not every engine problem requires a full replacement.
Repair
Best for:
- Isolated component failures
- Engines with low to moderate hours
Replacement remanufactured diesel enginesÂ
Best for:
- Severe damage
- Obsolete or unsupported engines
- Efficiency upgrades
The team at Asheville Engine can provide the best remanufactured diesel engine at a cost others can’t touch. We also help customers evaluate all the options based on cost, downtime, and long-term performance.
When to Call a Professional Engine Service Provider
Some maintenance tasks can be handled by the truck owners—but others require specialized tools and experience.
Call a professional if you notice:
- Persistent overheating
- Loss of power or excessive smoke
- Abnormal engine noise
- Repeated fault codes
- Fluid contamination
Worldwide DistributionÂ
Asheville Engine serves customers across the globe. Serving all 50 states and several countries in North and South American. Asheville Engine has also shipped engines to many countries on 5 different continents as well as Iceland, and other islands around the world.. Asheville Engine helps the US Armed Forces and businesses keep their equipment running reliably in demanding conditions.
How to request a quote for a replacement engine.
Asheville Engine publishes engine descriptions, available upgrades and prices for every Duramax, Cummins and Powerstroke remanufactured diesel engine that they sell on their web site at http://www.AshevilleEngine.comÂ
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You can order a diesel engine online or call them to place an order. For more information, they can be contacted by email at AshevilleEngine@aol.com or by calling them at 828-775-0450Â
