5.9 L running and at home

[cjohnson1]

Well, I know I told everyone we was building a 24 valve for my Motorhome . But, while in the long and exhausting process of getting all the odds and ends pieces to finish it we ran across a new "97" 12 valve, complete and running for a steal. SO, I bought it! We changed out the throttle plate and estimate about 230 HP for now.

We started it Sunday. Loaded it the trailer and home be went. So now all I need is a few little things like time to install it. I have it in my shop setting comfortablely next to the 542 Allison. A few hoses and linkages are all that's missing.

Like the Monkey said when he got his tail cut off," It won't be long now". :--) Here's a shot of it running for about 60 seconds!



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70 lbs oil pressure and everything is NEW!

Will start yanking the old Ford 460 out the middle of next month.

Should be bombing down the road by mid Summer.

CJ

Oh, it wasn't hard to get rid of the 24 valve. One call and it was gone. Seems there is this guy who is really interested in getting one too! So we're both Happy.

 

[LarryB]

Wow, all that hunting, running around, learning, and you ended up with the right engine after all. Good job CJ! Is it a 215hp?



Now the transmission is the only question mark. does it have a lockup TQ converter? Overdrive? What rear gears do you have?



Let the fun begin.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

My understanding is that that 542 and 545 series (as well as MOST of the Allisons... . ) do not have OD or a TCC..... I'd have one in my truck if they made one that had OD/TCC and could be had for less than $4000... .

The 1000 series behind the Durawhatever isn't as strong as folks thought it was... ... it's all a crapshoot.



Matt

 

[DT]

HoleshotHolset is right, neither the 542 and 545 (as well as the older 540 and 543) have an overdrive.

The ratios are 3. 45, 2. 55, 1. 41, 1. 00.

They do not have a full lockup tc, but they use a special system that attains very near to total lockup.

I have an at542 in my truck, which I just started driving yesterday, ( http://www.picturetrail.com/turbokid )

so far it, shifts nice and firm and the only downside is no parking pawl. (My truck is four wheel drive, so I couldn't use the one that bolts onto the rear of the trans, but my factory brake works good, and I am planning to install a mico line lock. )

With 4. 10 gears and 33" tires, max speed is about 65.

I am planning on putting in 3. 08 gears, I will still have the same first gear effective ratio as I had with a turbo400 (2. 48 first gear) and 4. 10's, as well as the ability to cruise at 75 at 2348 RPM.



Anyways, congraulations on that motor, cjohnson, it should work good.

 

[cjohnson1]

Yea, I'm aware of the Allisons lack of overdrive. Kinda bummed about that. I'm thinking an overdrive aux gear box later. For now I'm shooting to gear the thing to do 80mph at 2500 rpm. That should be close to your gearing DT. Let us hear you impressions of your rig DT with that transmission. I didn't look to see what you had it in. I think you said it was 4 X 4. Bet that was a nightmare to plan.

Larry B, no the Allison is not a lock up TQ. and the engine was hooked to an auto. It came with a Dodge pickup torque converter. It's new and I haven't a need for it. So, I guess I'll put it up on E Bay later.

I'm going to be pushing about 19,000 lbs with out the dingy. and it's gotta be close to 5000 lbs. Anything has got to be better than the slug it is with the Ford power plant.

Isn't that how it always goes. You search and search and come up empty handed, then after you've started on a different direction, what you've been trying to find, falls in your lap. (cheap)

I will still have to regear the rear end, but since I've done a lot of Dana 44 rearends it shouldn't pose too big a problem. Heck I may even farm it out. After all I only have so much free time.

This will be like building a ship in a bottle. And I want to be able to drive this thing on summer vacation. So, I'd better get busy.

Thanks for the support guys. Will keep ya updated. I'm sure there will be thousands of questions when I start wireing this thing in.

CJ

 

[DT]

Actually, my 542 allison is in my chevy with a 6BD1TA Isuzu diesel in front of it. (353 CI, Direct injected, turbocharged, custom intercooled, chrome liners, in-line pump) But the engine is basically like a cummins so they drive similar. The allison shifts well, nice and firm enough to keep from wearing itself out, but not hard enough to jerk your neck back. (unless your flooring it) Towed a 93 jeep wrangler on a trailer with it the other day and after climbing several step hills, it wasn't heating at all, unlike my dad's E40D in his ferd. The 4 wheel drive wasn't too hard to figure out, the 542 is only slightly longer than a th400. Made an adapter plate for the t-case and a coupling for inside, as well as a longer front driveshaft and shorter back one, and viola! Anyways, overall, I would recommend the allison with either a brownie, gear vendors, or rearend regear (what i'm doing).

 

[cjohnson1]

Boy DT, Talk about timing!

Where were you in January?

I had a 6BG1TA with an Allison all ligned up then but couldn't find anyone who knew anything about it. I even have friends in Isuzu training who couldn't tell me how to BOMB it. It ran well but would not pull highway hills well at all. I had the entire truck for 7G's. I drove it down the highway and it would fall on it's face. In town it ran like a sports car. I wanted that motor for the mountains, cause the 460 Ford is a pig in Colorado.

I have a ton of factory manuals an that engine and the trucks they used them in. But not having any Hot Rodding information made me back out of the deal. I even had a guy who would dispose of all the left over parts after I stripped it.

SO, did you turn it up or all you running it as it came from the factory? I have a name of a guy who knows all about them but cannot find him. (Former Isuzu Diesel Truck Training Rep. )

Interesting! Tell me more. I'm a big fan of Isuzus and really wanted to repower with that power plant.

I four wheel (rock climber) a one of a kind Isuzu Rodeo. An my daily driver is an "89" Trooper.

CJ

 

[DT]

Well, here I go for the second time, I just spent 15 minutes typing a reply, clicked submit, and a screen came up saying the server was busy and to try again later, and all my work was gone... so this time I may not be as comprehensive as the first.



I think I remember when you posted about that Isuzu...

If I'm correct, the 6BG1T is a 6. 5 liter engine with 17. 5:1 comp ratio and about 180 hp stock. My engine is 5. 78 liters, but also has 17. 5:1 comp ratio pistons. My engine also came factory as a 6BD1H, meaning that it was governed at a higher rpm (3200) as well as a few other changes to make it more suitable for highway apllications. We custom fit the garrett to4e10 turbocharger on this engine after some research, and also custom made the intercooler. Highest boost so far has been 15 lbs, limited only by pyro temps. So I guess now you could call my engine a 6BD1HTA.

The inline pump on my engine is similar to the one on the 6BG1T. The fuel turn up screw on it is external, making precise fuel adjusting quick and easy, although on a factory turbo'd engine, such as the 6BG1TA, it probably had an AFC housing. But in any case, I bet the truck you drove was underfueled, accounting for the lack of power at highway speeds. (No fuel to go with more boost. ) The good performance around town was probably in part due to the gearing.

I would also look into adjusting the timing, either up if altitude and pyro temperatures allowed it, or (more likely) to allow for more boost without higher pyro temps. Basically anything you can do to BOMB a cummins can be don to BOMB an isuzu, with the exception of some aftermarket parts. Bigger exhaust, (I have 3" straight pipe, last two foot being 4") and bigger intake (I have a BHAF of sorts of an industrial B model cummins, allowing plenty of air), as well as purchasing a bigger exhaust housing (17. 5:1 comp ratio allows for quite a bit of air) all are things that could be done to increase power.

What specifically did you want to know about BOMBing an Isuzu? (My dad has been a diesel mechanic for 30 years, so anything diesel is no problem. ) If you have any questions feel free to post or e-mail me a -- email address removed --

The cromard dry liners, tuftrided crankshaft, replaceable valve seats, valve guides, rocker arm bushings, and many other things make these engines good choices for long term use and lots of power.

And to answer your other question, yes I did turn up the fuel and mess with the timing on my truck, and when I pulled my jeep up some steep grades here in colorado, it did well.

Sorry for the long post... Any other questions?

BTW, do you have a service manual for the 6BD1? All I have is a BIG parts book.



Ty

-- email address removed --

 

[cjohnson1]

Wow, Thanks for re-typing Ty. I have had that done to me several times. Good information.

Yes, I have all the Isuzu manuals for all the Isuzu Commercial trucks. The stack of books is about a foot high. I'll get with you off line. I'm sure I have what you need.

CJ

 

[rbalcom]

Hey DT or anyone else out there, i recall an early dodge power wagon with a mitsubishi diesel engine, i guess these are rare, does anyone recall how they performed? your izuzu engine mods remind me of that size engine and days gone bye... ray

 

[DT]

From all accounts I've heard, they were gutless. (They had no turbo. )

I have on sitting out back- the Mitsubishi 6DR5 they call it. This engine is only about 4. 0 liters so it's kind of small. It is indirect injected but it does have an inline pump.

 

[DT]

BTW, Cjohnson, could you e-mail me when you get a chance... my computer died and we just bought a new one this time, so I don't know if I missed any of your messages, and I lost your e-mail address.

Thanks, Ty

-- email address removed --