Cummins C-160

[DNelson]

So, I'm thinkin' about buying an old (60's vintage) Austin-Western grader, for about $3K. It has a refitted Cummins C-160, normally aspirated 6 cyl in it, not sure of the hours on the engine. It's supposedly been maintained well,with regular vavle adjustments, injector re-torques, etc.



Has anyone had any experience with this engine? What's the expected life? What are the maintenance requirements? The grader itself has about 100 grease zerks to regularly service, let alone the other normal maint requirements for a grader .



Any experiences are much appreciated.



Don

 

[Power Wagon]

Take a gander at the fuel system. It should be converted to a more modern fuel system - including the injectors.



If it has not been - that is, if it has individual injector lines or a PT-R pump, it's just a monster headache waiting to invade your life.



Although the PT-R and flange injectors CAN be modernized via some kits, you're looking at about 1000 bucks to do it, by the time you pay for all the parts and labor. If both are in good shape now, it may run for years without needing repair - but then be prepared to convert it.



If it's the old single or twin-disk system (individual lines to each injector, having a "distributor" type pump on it, I'd pass on the aggravation, unless you have some evidence it's not going to need any work for as long as you own it (can't imagine what evidence that would be. )

 

[DNelson]

Thanks, Power Wagon. It has the individual lines from the distributor type pump - guess I'll pass.

 

[Power Wagon]

Wow. . I have never gotten to ac tually SEE one of those in real life. My knowledge is limited to reading and hearing about them.



It was an early Cummins effort to create a low-pressure pump that metered the fuel to cam-driven injectors. It is my understanding that no service parts are available for ANY part of that fuel system, and that conversion to a newer system is deeply involved (engine parts changes), and that it's usually more effective to simply change hte engine out, if it gives trouble.



Although, I suppose, there could be somewhere, someplace, someone who does service on it... . I just gave you the gist of what would be said at the fuel pump shop where I used to work.



Maybe you can chat the seller down in price enough that you could pick up an old 280 or 290 or perhaps even a 335 for a spare engine. Old NT 335's are not really in big demand anymore... . Perhaps even an old NH-series engine with the PT fuel system on it that's running ok... I would imagine all of those would go pretty cheap these days, especially the NH- series engines.