Chevy and Detroit Diesel.

[Rebel Ram]

I was hunting for speedo adapters and a new grill for my Ford/Cummins project today and found this. I dont know much about these old DDs except that they sounded cool. But it seems a shame that it was relagated to a Pick-n-Pull. I looked at how it was installed and it looked like it was a BIG job. I did see fit though to snag the Racor FG 900 turbine filter for $10!:-laf

 

[TBurow]

wow, that looked awesome i wonder how it ran. did you check what turbo was on it? old borg warner?

 

[DPellegrin]

This is a 4-53T Detroit Diesel engine (4 cylinders, 53 cu. in. per cylinder, T=turbocharged. This is 2 stroke engine and was rated at about 160hp at 2800rpm. This engine is still used widely in marine applications. Since every downward stroke of the piston is a power stroke they have a unique sound.



Regards

 

[MMeier]

How much torque did they make?

 

[obert]

Just curious

What makes it a -53? Length? I thought it might be either a -53 or -71, but I'm trying to pictuer a 4-71, it might not fit... ...



Wondered if there was a "key" identifier. I can say the governor is a little different than my 3-71, but these engines are so generic and App. specific that that really doesnt help me.

 

[Rebel Ram]

Sorry. I dont know enough about these to know what to look for. I was just suprised to see a Diesel there. I was curious though, since most DDs I've seen have Super Chargers on em. This was turbo'd.

It was half price day as well, so if someone was in the market or searching for one of these, this might have been a real find!

 

[GDMRTN]

We have a local detroit shop that puts these things into chevy service trucks. To top it off, they bolt jake brakes on them. Not the greatest on fuel but a jake on a pickup is just cool!!!

 

[DPellegrin]

It's called a 4-53T. 4 cylinders, 53 cu. in. per cylinder, "T" is for turbocharged. These engines came with an assortment of different injector sizes, and therefore horsepower ratings, depending on the application. But standard they made about 400-450 lb. ft. @ 1800 rpm and 160-170hp @2800.



You can tell this is a 53 Series because of the way the rocker cover is bolted to the cylinder head. If it was a 71 Series the the rocker cover bolts go through the center of the cover not the outer perimeter like the 53 Series. I used to make my living working on the 6V53 in ready mix trucks in the late 1970s. I know the anatomy of this engine very well. A 71 series ( 71 cu. in. per cylinder) engine is much taller and would be difficult to fit into a pick-up truck without doing some major surgery.

 

[cojhl2]

DDs I've seen have Super Chargers on em

Becasue of their architecture all two Cycle DD's have a "supercharger". Probably wasn't called that by the professionals, a group to whcih I don't belong, but it mechanically charges the cylinders.

 

[MickeyMiller]

I remember looking at a 'Gama Goat' with a 3-53 that had an aluminum block and a roots type supercharger... boy was that a noisey sucker!

 

[DPellegrin]

cojh12- You're right, all Detroit Diesel 2 stroke engines have a "supercharger" on them. However, the supercharger should be more properly called a "roots blower". It's primary purpose on the DDC 2 stroke engine was the scavenge the exhaust gases out and a new fresh charge into the cylinder. All the valves in this engine are exhaust valves. So when the intake ports in the cylinder liner are uncovered by the piston the exhaust valves open and the blower scavenges the exhaust out, then the next downward stroke of the piston is a power stroke. When these engines were equipped with just a blower they were called naturally aspirated. When they were turbocharged they did get a little boost pressure from this.



Regards

 

[obert]

... To top it off, they bolt jake brakes on them...

Afriend of mine is an Emergency Vehicle tech for a township fire dept. He's had some 8v-92's with jakes, and it's his opinion that they're about as effective as gettin out and dragging your feet :-laf

... You can tell this is a 53 Series because of the way the rocker cover is bolted to the cylinder head... .

That's what I was looking for. I messed with a 2 and 3-53 in vocational skool, that was a while ago. The valve cover on our 3-71 does have the bolts thrugh the center-- with the big knobs even.







*add==> Was out a few minuites ago and the Rosdale Bible Colledge bus came down the road and rounded the intersection onto Rosedale rd, a couple hundred yards away. Got'er straightend out and the driver just raped it! Sweet!! Oo. Oo. Unmistakeibly a silver -92/Allison. The ol' timers say that's the only way to drive a 2-cycle, though...

 

[cojhl2]

cojh12- You're right, all Detroit Diesel 2 stroke engines have a "supercharger" on them. However, the supercharger should be more properly called a "roots blower". Regards

Thank you DPellegrin for the clarification regarding the proper terminology.

The statement

When these engines were equipped with just a blower they were called naturally aspirated

is a clear distinction.



Thank you again.