Copper injector washers vs the cheap steel ones, big mistake on my 3126

Ran a Cat 3126 in a Freightliner last month and figured I'd save $14 with steel injector washers instead of the copper ones. Torqued everything per spec, fired it up, and within 200 miles I had coolant in the oil pan. Pulled the head, the steel washers had crushed uneven and killed the seal. Copper conforms to the bore, steel just doesnt. Went back to the OEM copper set for $38 and it's been dry ever since. Any of you guys ever cheap out on washers or gaskets and regret it on a rebuild?

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diana_black17d ago

Coolant in the oil pan" after only 200 miles, that's a nightmare I'd lose sleep over.