I'm in the middle of doing an overhaul on my B5.9-215 Cummins. I'm having to replace the crankshaft due to forward thrust issues and having to purchase a new crank. I'm curious how important it is to match the casting numbers on the crankshaft. The price difference is quite large, for a non matching casting number oem cummins crankshaft is roughly 600$ and a matching oem cummins crankshaft is 1250$. How crucial is it to match the casting number, certain websites ask for current casting numbers and engine serial etc. I would not think that it wouldn't matter considering they used that crank for quite a while in their 5.9 b series engines.

-If there are any Cummins parts guys or techs out there that could answer this question for me that would be fanstastic. I have engine numbers, cpls, casting numbers etc, needed to help.

Thank You,
Kurt