Cummins 350???

[SCox]

I am looking for a single axle dump to haul gravel, mulch etc on my propery only, not for hire. I've found a 79 International single axle with a cummins 350 and 9spd. I've also found a 82 single axle with IH 345 in it. What would be the best way to go here?? Is the 350 reliable and resonable to maintain, I'm not familiar with this motor. I know the gas motor is fairly easy to keep up and get parts for. Some people have told me that the gas will put up with sitting for extended periods better than the diesel.

Any input on what you guys think would be appreciated. The diesel is a good drive just to look at, the gasser is just around the corner,If I do go what should I look out for??



Thanks

Steve

 

[A Johnson]

I believe a 79 would have a Big cam I 350 if it is the original engine. The big cam I had a few weak points. They had what is called a thin wall cam bushing that was prone to spinning and ruining the block. The cam gears would walk off the cams. They have what is called a thin deck block and were prone to cracking in the liner counter bores and bolt holes, causing coolant leaks at the head gaskets, and it takes major machine work to fix, and then they may still leak. Some of them had a problem with the cam followers breaking.



Look for coolant stains down the side of the block from the head gasket area. All the big cams smoked a lot cold, but it should be running pretty clean after coolant temp is 140* or so. If it still smokes it could need an overhead set or possibly a camshaft. Also look at the area between the cam followers for burnt paint, indicating a spun cam bushing. Look for oil seepage from the turbo boot and the turbo X-over gasket, indicating a turbo pumping oil. Also see if some one in your area could do a blowby test on the engine, it should only cost you an hours labor and will give a pretty good indication of cylinder condition.



The easiest way to tell if it is a big cam for someone who has never seen a big and small cam is to look at the water pump belt. If it is a serpentine belt it is a big cam, if it has 2 v belts it is a small cam FFC engine, if it has a single v belt it is a non FFC engine. (FFC = Full Flow Cooling of engine oil)



The small cam engines also had these issues with the exception that the cam gear didn't walk off to often.



Sounds like it probablyly a real peice of junk by now huh? All these problems could have been fixed by the previous owner and in a single axle dump it may have lead a pretty easy life. Also if it looks pretty clean and the price is right it may last you a very long time. It's just real easy to ends up with a pig in a poke these days.





A Johnson

 

[QRTRHRS]

Your property can make a difference. I got rid of my 70' IH 345 5x2 because it was geared to high for my hills. I had enough power once I rebuilt the carb. I did have vapor lock problems when it would sit for a period of time. Kind of a pain to be hauling home 20-30 gallons of gas too.



The 350 9spd probably has a tall low gear. For backyard use, I think a 270 would be a better choice. The 220 and 250's are getting harder to find.



I have a line on one right now but am short on funds or I would probably buy it. It's an IH ten wheeler. Ex state truck with a 350 automatic. I just did a lot of excavating for a new barn. My contractor brought his other tandem site truck and that is how we got to talking about it. He said the auto with the locking rears works good on hills. He just majored the engine so he wants 7500 for it.



I think an Army duece would make a good off roader. I see them with dumps on line.

 

[Blakers]

Originally posted by SCox

Some people have told me that the gas will put up with sitting for extended periods better than the diesel.

Just the opposite! I have seen diesels that have sat for 20 years start right up and run on the 20 year old fuel.



Blake

 

[illflem]

I have a five yard single two speed axle, five speed transmission IH with 370 that does just fine on the steepest roads I can find with a full load of gravel. It's sat for over two years at a time and fires right up. Main thing I'd look at is the condition of the hydraulics and pto, they tend to have more problems than the rest of the truck.

 

[Ram3500]

Work Truck

Steve - Really not sure what you are looking for in this truck. But a Bill Ayer,s (703-393-9495) just got his hands on a truck like I think you are looking at/for. His pick it up from the IWLA Fairflex Chaper for a little of nothing. I dont think he would be hard to deal with.



Ray

 

[bmoeller]

How much are you going to use it? If it isn't going to be used all that often, would a dump trailer be better? You have the right truck to pull one.



You could buy one or build one. In the Farm Show magazine, occasionally there are people who buy an old s. a. dump truck with a blown engine and installing a gooseneck hitch after they cut the frame behind the cab. They use self-contained hydraulics or run a pump off the PTO on the pick-up. I've thought about making one.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by bmoeller

How much are you going to use it? If it isn't going to be used all that often, would a dump trailer be better? You have the right truck to pull one.



You could buy one or build one. In the Farm Show magazine, occasionally there are people who buy an old s. a. dump truck with a blown engine and installing a gooseneck hitch after they cut the frame behind the cab. They use self-contained hydraulics or run a pump off the PTO on the pick-up. I've thought about making one.

That's a good idea. One less power unit to maintain. I had gone the dump route for the ten foot snowplow that came with the truck. That's why we had so much snow this past winter, because I sold it. If you want to buy new, I know of one company that makes pretty nice off road units. http://www.pronovost. qc. ca/remhra.html

One of my farm wagons dumps but it won't raise high enough to dump dirt. I do on occasion load it up with stones off the field. That brings up another issue going back to my question about the terrain. A trailer with a bit of weight will push the truck when your off the pavement.

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by QRTRHRS



One of my farm wagons dumps but it won't raise high enough to dump dirt.

If you can find 4x8 sheets of plastic, you could attach it to the floor as a polyliner that are used in dump trucks/trailers. Then it won't stick.

 

[SCox]

Thanks for the responses guys,



I can't go with a off road trailer, I will be farm taging it, so it must be road worthy. I have looked at dump trailers, but I need a trailer that I can gate with (gravel on driveway), and all the trailers I have seen have double swing doors. I found some in Florida with a 14000 lb gvwr for under $4000, great but if I get pulled by DOT guy with a 14000 pound trailer and my Dodge, I'll, by the book, need to have a CDL because of my combined weight, big time fines!!!! With a farm tag I can run 50k area around my house air brakes and all without a cdl, as long as I have a legitimate farm.

The one in the best shape I have seen so far is a 81 International single axle 32k gvwr,. with the gas IH 345 in it. I looked at a x-VDOT truck yesterday with a International diesel in it, I think a 9 litre??? The truck was sad, would almost have to give it away to make it worth it. It was a plow truck, then a crash barrier truck.

Ray, I called the number you gave me this am, it was busy, I am going to try in little while again. Thanks for the info. Do you know what kind of truck it was??

I did find a 79 Chevy c80 with a 3208 cat in it, needs a head gasket, is this worth looking at? $3000 is the price.



Thanks Steve

 

[QRTRHRS]

The CDL thing again.

Steve, does Virginia follow the DOT regs or make their own rules? In PA, you can register as a combination up to 26k and not need the CDL for instate farm use up to 150 miles.

http://www.fmcsa. dot.gov/rulesregs/fmcsr/regs/383. 3.htm