Why You Should Buy the Parts to Build a Detroit Diesel 12V71 Long Block From Diesel Pro Power
The Detroit Diesel 12V71 is one of the most iconic engines in marine, industrial, and heavy-equipment history. Known for its unmistakable sound, rugged two-stroke design, and massive power output, the 12V71 has earned decades of trust from commercial operators, tug fleets, fishing vessels, generators, and military applications around the world.
But as these engines age, many reach the point where the most cost-effective way to extend their life is a long block rebuild. Building a long block gives the engine a fresh foundation—new liners, bearings, pistons, rings, heads, cam components, seals, and major rotating assemblies—all brought back to reliable working condition.
If you’re preparing to rebuild your 12V71, there is no better place to purchase the parts than Diesel Pro Power. We specialize in supplying the complete parts packages, matched components, and technical support needed to build a strong, reliable long block that will run for thousands of hours.
Below is an in-depth look at why buying your 12V71 rebuild parts from us is the smartest, most efficient, and most reliable option for commercial and private operators.
See Our Detroit Diesel 12V71 Parts Catalog

The 12V71: A Platform Worth Rebuilding Correctly
A Detroit 12V71 is a significant investment, and when rebuilt properly, these engines routinely deliver:
- Tens of thousands of additional operating hours
- Strong, even power across all cylinders
- Predictable performance under commercial loads
- Long intervals between overhauls
- Excellent parts availability compared to many older engines
But the key phrase is rebuilt properly. These engines depend on precise tolerances, matched components, correct liner height, balanced injector flow, accurate rack setup, and proper assembly of the V-block.
To achieve that level of reliability, you need correct, high-quality parts from a supplier that understands the Detroit Diesel 2-stroke platform inside and out.
That’s exactly what we provide.
Why You Should Buy Your 12V71 Rebuild Parts From Diesel Pro Power
1. We Supply Complete, Correctly Matched Parts for the Entire Long Block
Building a Detroit Diesel 12V71 long block requires a full set of coordinated internal components. If one part is mismatched—liner height, piston weight class, cam timing components, or ring specifications—the engine will not run the way Detroit intended.
We provide complete, matched sets of:
- Cylinder kits
- Pistons, rings, and pins
- Liners and seals
- Main bearings and rod bearings
- Cam followers and valve train components
- Gaskets and seal kits
- Cylinder heads (new or rebuilt)
- Oil system components
- Water system components
- Blower and turbo plumbing (if needed)
- Accessory drive parts
- Crankshaft-related components
Everything fits correctly and works in harmony. This eliminates the guesswork and risk that come from piecing parts together from multiple suppliers.
See Our Detroit Diesel 12V71 Parts Catalog
2. We Ensure Proper Compatibility for Your Exact 12V71 Configuration
Not all 12V71 engines are built the same. Over decades of production, Detroit made changes to:
- Liner port design
- Injector ratings
- Piston designs
- Camshaft versions
- Turbocharging vs. natural aspiration
- Cooling passages
- Block variants
- Front cover arrangements
Buying from Diesel Pro Power ensures you get parts that match your engine’s specific serial range and configuration. You avoid:
- Incorrect liners
- Wrong injectors
- Mismatched pistons
- Misfitting gaskets
- Incompatible head designs
- Wrong bearings or thrust washers
You get the right parts the first time — which saves time, labor, and money.
See Our Detroit Diesel 12V71 Parts Catalog
3. Our Parts Are Built to OEM-Level Specifications
Every component we supply meets or exceeds the original Detroit Diesel specifications for:
- Material quality
- Hardness
- Weight matching
- Machining tolerances
- Ring sealing
- Bearing clearance
- Cooling passage geometry
Detroit 2-stroke engines rely heavily on precise tolerances, especially in areas such as:
- Liner protrusion
- Piston crown-to-head clearance
- Crankshaft end play
- Ring seating
- Valve timing
- Injector actuation
If these tolerances are off even slightly, performance drops and wear accelerates. Our parts are engineered to preserve the engine’s original specifications so you get factory-level performance from your rebuild.
See Our Detroit Diesel 12V71 Parts Catalog
4. You Save Significant Money Compared to Buying a Reman Long Block
Purchasing a complete remanufactured long block is expensive — especially for a 12V71. Many operators don’t need a fully assembled long block; they simply need the properly matched parts to build one.
Buying the parts from us allows you to:
- Control your labor costs
- Use your preferred machine shop
- Reuse your crankshaft and block if they meet spec
- Build the engine on your schedule
- Avoid freight costs on full long blocks
- Replace only what needs replacement
You get the benefit of a fresh long block without the premium price tag of a preassembled unit.
See Our Detroit Diesel 12V71 Parts Catalog
5. All Parts Are Ready to Ship — No Long Delays
Commercial operators cannot afford long wait times for critical parts. We stock:
- Full 12V71 overhaul kits
- Cylinder heads
- Blower components
- Oil and water pumps
- Accessory drives
- Gasket sets
- Fuel system parts
- Cooling system parts
- Main internal engine components
You get the parts you need fast, minimizing downtime during the rebuild process.
See Our Detroit Diesel 12V71 Parts Catalog
6. Expert Support From a Team That Knows Detroit Diesels
When you purchase your rebuild parts from us, you get access to real Detroit Diesel experts who understand:
- Liner heights and tuning
- Injector matching and calibration
- Rack setup
- Head torque sequences
- Blower and turbo compatibility
- Cooling layouts
- Oil routing on 12V engines
- Common failure points to address during rebuilds
If you need help identifying parts, confirming a configuration, or making sure you order the correct components, we are here to help.
This level of support is priceless during a major rebuild like a 12V71 long block.
See Our Detroit Diesel 12V71 Parts Catalog
7. Our Parts Help Protect Your Investment for Thousands More Hours
A properly built long block restores:
- Compression
- Fuel efficiency
- Power output
- Cold-start reliability
- Smooth operator performance
- Even cylinder temperatures
- Lower oil consumption
- Longer engine life
Using high-quality, matched components ensures your rebuilt 12V71 runs the way Detroit intended — clean, strong, and reliable.
For fleets and commercial operators, this means more uptime and higher return on investment.
See Our Detroit Diesel 12V71 Parts Catalog
Conclusion: The Smartest Way to Build a 12V71 Long Block
A Detroit Diesel 12V71 long block is a major project, and the quality of the rebuild depends entirely on the parts you put into it. When you buy your rebuild components from Diesel Pro Power, you’re getting:
- Correct, matched parts
- OEM-level quality
- Fast availability
- Expert Detroit Diesel support
- Long-term reliability
- Lower cost than buying a complete reman engine
We help ensure your 12V71 not only runs again — but runs like it should.
See Our Detroit Diesel 12V71 Parts Catalog



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