5.9 Cummins from a Freightliner?

[GOLIATHGMC]

Hello to all!! I am a new member to the TDR, and this is my very first post. I am gearing up to shoehorn a B5. 9 into my '85 GMC K3500 (Square Body) Crew Cab. I have a local Medium & Heavy Duty Truck wrecking yard that has a bent & bruised '96 Freightliner FL70 box truck with a B5. 9 and an Eaton manual gearbox. The ID tag on the gearcase of the engine is missing, but another tag mentions the engine as being built to '95 emissions standards. Anyone have any thoughts on how this engine compares to the Dodge version? Is there any other way to ID it? I want the '96-'98 version & P7100 pump. The local Freightliner dealer was not much help. Thanks!

 

[KB0OU]

As far as I know that engine would be just like the Dodge engine for a 95/96 Dodge, should have a P-7100 pump. I have worked on them and they were very similar. What transmission is on the engine? Could be a good one for the Chevy also.

 

[tgbol]

there are some differences in the engines. It probably will be governed about 2600. No problem the pump can be turned up the horse power is probably around 180. It should make a nice ride.

 

[GOLIATHGMC]

The trans was not really of interest to me actually. I was told it was an Eaton 6 speed, but the truck is twisted and in 3 feet of hardened NY snow, so I can't get underneath it just yet. I was more leaning toward a NV4500 or 5600 'cause I know I can adapt them to my T-case (1 ton NP205). I really want to be sure this is a 215HP/P7100 engine before I buy it. Are there other ways of IDing it without the plate on the side of the gearcase?

 

[towner]

if your not using the air compressor I'll gladly get you a vacuam pump/ps pump... .

 

[GOLIATHGMC]

Luckily enough, my truck already has Hydroboosted brakes and mechanical heater controls - dont really need the vacuum pump - Thanks for the offer though! The included air pump (for the FL's brakes) would be a nice bonus

The engine in this truck has 160K on the clock, and I am sure I can get it for a reasonable price - I really want to ID the pump. The FL's GVWR is 33K Lbs, the heaviest for a single axle chassis. This makes me think that it is a 215HP pump (the highest available for a non-emergency vehicle according to Freightliners' brochure). I pulled a casting (?) number off the pump case (2 425 209 158), but it does not jive with any info I can find. Any other ways I might ID this pump?

 

[1stgen4evr]

id tag

I am sure you know that if the tag is gone, it could be anything that Cummins made from any time frame. With the P pump you can reasonably hope that it is in the range of what you want. That tag being gone will come back to haunt you. Everything you want for that engine will reference from the tag. That being said, they are mostly alike and the parts interchange. If you want to boost the hp, the pump will push the fuel to about any level you want.



You are correct on the NV transmission. The OD is a must. We have a four door GMC with the cummins. Turtle slow till we got the OD. We also went to 19. 5 wheels for additional speed. Made a nice truck. We use it when the crew goes on the road.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[damar]

Good luck on your conversion. If Freightliner is like International, you can give a dealer the vin number and they can print you a "as built" printout. It usually gives the engine manufacturer and serial number, then you can go to Cummins and they can tell you what you need to know. I always do this in looking at a big rig tractor. The dealers even fax the sheets to me.

 

[Grey Wolf]

Sometimes the serial number is stamped on the block under the exhaust manifold next to the oil cooler.

 

[jayhawktrailers.com]

I would consider getting the transmission to if it has an overdrive because it may be cheaper that find the right adapters to go back to an nv5600. You could probably find a cheap deal on an old divorced 205 transfercase. Dodge and IH pickups and travelalls ran the in the 70's. The direct drive compressor will be sweet.

 

[BV]

Didn't read through the whole post be the exhaust manifold puts the turbo higher on some FL models but I'm not sure on a 96. Shouldn't be a problem either way.



Good luck on your conversion.

 

[F8LDOSE]

i got a '96 model year 5. 9 from a Ford F-700, it's a 190hp. The blocks are beefier around the main cap area and it has 14mm main bolts. Just curious what can you pick it up for?

 

[Sled Puller]

I wouldn't worry about the pump, 160/180 pumps bomb easy.

Slide of the plate, some gov springs and D valves, 370 injectors, and it will be plenty for a work truck.

 

[supersonic]

As far as I know these engines were rated from 160 - 280 HP. But even the lower HP motors were still way up there on torque. I dont belive that any of the other truck manufacturers used exactly the 215 HP motor that dodge did though as this was restricted to tighter emissions for light duty pickups and weaker (rated) drivetrain componetry.

 

[csevers]

Call a different Freightshaker dealer I believe that if you give them "just" the V I N number they should be able to give you a serial # and a CPL # for the engine asuming that it is the original engine in the truck and that is all you should need to find all the stuff you need. Also you will need a different bell housing to mate to a 4500/5600. I have seen two chevy Cummins converts 1 with a 12v dodge and the other 24v from a medium duty both were done by "Cummins" mechanics and were VERY nice!!



Craig

 

[GOLIATHGMC]

Original Engine ID'd

Went back and used the VIN to get the Original engine Serial # from FL. Called Cummins directly and spoke to Mike Kell, who was MORE than helpful, friendly and knowlegable, as well as enthusiastic about my plans. Here is what he gave me:

Model year 1995 B5. 9

190Hp, 475 Tq(1600rpm)

P7100 pump, R2VK Governor

High Idle 2875, norm range Idle to 2300rpm

This answers some questions, and presents others.

1) R2VK Gov = Bad,good,??? (I am a gas engine guy)

2) I was under the impression that the operating range on the Dodge version of this engine went above 3000rpm - am I wrong? Can this be changed? SHOULD this be changed?

According to Mike, this engine can be altered to work as if in the Dodge application (which means I am almost sure it will work for me) Also, he is sending me a book related to this engine - free. Any idea what it is?

In addition, whan I asked the owner of the yard where the truck sits, he was unenthusiastic about trying to get the engine to run for me before selling it. I asked if it ran, and his reply was, "right up to the point of Impact". I am not a fan of buying engines I have not heard run. The impact point on this rig was not in front or near the engine. Any thoughts on weather or not to buy it and what it is worth??Oo.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

You'll be far better off increasing vehicle speed with gearing rather than upping engine speed - if switching trannies anyway, go to a NV-5600 - one of the guys on this board has one for sale...

 

[Grey Wolf]

The horsepower and torque figures are the as the 5. 9 that we put in my sons 1990 Dodge. It came from a FedX ('96) truck and it works just fine, by the way he has a 4. 10 axle in it.