Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Engine ID Tag missing

[RYowell]

I purchased a used '97 engine that does not have the ID Tag which is supposed to be located on the Timing Gear Case (driver side front corner). I have been told that this tag is very important but was not told why it is so important. In fact, I was told that I could never get it rebuilt, or used as a Core with any large rebuilder. Can anyone give spicific info with sources? Does anyone know of a Cummins Diesel contact that could help answer? I am currently pushing the engin supplier for resolution, but they are playing dumb, or stalling. The engine runs fine (accept for oil leak), but I'm thinking I didn't get what I paid for. I plan to keep this truck on the road for another 10 years so this is really getting to me.



RYowell

 

[BigPapa]

Welcome Roger,



I'd say that the KDP got the original case and whoever replaced it failed to remove the plate. Shouldn't be a big deal. Your our out of warranty so you want need it for that. Just find somebody with a '97 with the same configuration and snap you a pic of it or copy down the info for future reference.



Scott

 

[JFaughn]

You should be able to go to a Dodge dealer , give them the vin # , then they should be able to give you all the info , even your eng. # , then go the Cummins and see if you can get a new lable , that may be the tricky part .
But you do want the eng. # so that you can get all the Quick Serve , Power Service club ect.

 

[bgilbert]

The ESN -engine serial number- on the missing data tag will give you (or Cummins) all the details of the engine build, be it what pistons, head, turbo, injection pump, timing etc. Without it, you'll never know for sure what you got. To order parts you'll need someone elses ESN. I think these are removed for a couple possible reasons. One for a stolen engine, two to sell you the wrong engine, make you think you're getting a 97 engine, but it's really a 94 or earlier engine. There is no reason to remove this tag. They don't fall off that often either.



I also think dishonest folks do the same thing to injection pumps. Remove the tag or swap the tag for a lower hp pump etc. I wouldn't take too many peoples word for something unless there's a tag. Then again, even the data tag on the timing cover can be manipulated.

 

[PToombs]

The engine might even be a 135 hp model out of a Case payloader. (but it would be yellow) The tags are important!

 

[JFaughn]

You should not use someone els's # they are individual to each eng. , if you do and they have an account , then you could stir up issues , at min. not getting your own Quick Serve acc.

 

[JPullen]

often there is a stamped number on the back of the block right above the bellhouseing i was told that is the engine number but mine was barely legible. .

 

[LEPage]

I'm with BigPapa, The cover was replaced due to the KDP & the plate wasn't put on. When I fell victum to the KDP I removed my data plate & put it in the glove box. When I traded it on my '03 I made note to the dealer where it was. The CPL is one of the most important numbers on it, it's the first thing they will ask you for. Only mistake I made was trading that P pumped 12V truck on this electronic POS.

 

[Shadrach]

If you can get the last 8 didgits from the truck VIN it came from I can get you the ESN. If not get me the seven didgit Cummins part number (39xxxxx ) from the fuel pump tag or the 10 didgit Bosch number ( x xxx xxx xxx ). There can be two different tags on the fuel pump, one on the outer side and one on the back readable from the rear of the pump. Also the number on the tag on the turbo snout where the air comes out of the turbo. It should have two 7 didgit Holset numbers (one 35xxxxx and the other either another 35xxxxx number or possibly a 38xxxxxRX if the turbo has been replaced ). The ESN (engine serial number ) is very important when ordering parts. Without it a partsman is guessing although if it is from a 97 Dodge a good Cummins partsman can get most parts correct. Was the engine from a manual or auto truck? Check to see if there is a pilot bearing in the back of the crankshaft. Is there a threaded ( 3/4 npt ) block heater just to the left of the oilcooler/filter housing or is it a frost plug style? If it has the threaded style it was built after May 97. What style of fuel filter does it have? The 94-96 models used a spin on filter while the 97-98 used a housing with a cartridge inside. In 1997 the dipstick handle and oil filler cap had yellow lettering ( indicating a service point ) on them, however these can wear off or be changed. Shadrach

 

[RYowell]

Missing Engine ID

Sorry for so long to reply, I've been traveling and gathering info.

I appreciate the chance to feed specific info on the truck/engine especially if ID can be established. So the following is what I've been able to gather on (1) Original truck configuration, (2) what I am told about the Salvaged truck configuration.

(1) Original

VIN: 1B6MC36DXVJ577953

This truck is a 3500 (Cab Chassi); 5 Spd Manual; Fed Emission; 3. 55 Anti-Slip Rear Axle; Engine Option code ETB (I've been told that means 235 HP for a 5 Spd Trans. )

Back of Fuel Control Module (Injection Pump?):

RQV 1400PA1211-1K

393 1538

Left side of of FCM (Injection Punp) :

0 402 736 913

76100 000409

Block Heater Type: Threaded

Fuel Filter Type: Cartridge



(2) Salvaged Engine

VIN : 3B7MF33D0VM515293 (as I have been told)

This truck, according to lookup on the VIN search, was a; 3500 club cab, Auto Trans; Calif. Emmision. (I've been told that Dodge offered a 215 HP w/Auto Trans)

Back of FCM (Injection Pump?) :

RQV ??????????

393 1539

Left side of FCM (Injection Pump?):

0 402 736 912

66600 13921

Block Heater Type : Threaded

Fuel Filter Type : Cartridge



Thanks for all the good info from all of you, plus a few others. Can the above info lead to firm ID on the engine I have, from Salavged, installed. It is a good running, strong engine, but does not have the power/torque of the original. Would the 20 HP make that much difference? Where is the 20HP derived from? I kept the FCM (Injection Pump) off the original. Can I install it on the 215HP and gain the 20HP back? Also the original had a stage 1 Torque Plate adj to max. Could this, if installed on the 66600 pump, give the gain as it did on the 76100 pump?



I know that I'm asking for a lot and I appreciate your patience with a "newbe", but I have got to do something to keep from getting runover on the hills.

 

[JFaughn]

I think your missing 20 HPs is the differance between the stick & auto trans.
Its comin that 2 identcal trucks do not make the some HPs .
Any after maket parts shoud make a diff. , but the fine tuning needs to be done , what trans. do you have in the truck , if its an auto & stick you can lose some power there ?
Not real clear on the pump issue , the 215 is the best one to run & mod from what I've read , cann't tell from what you have writen but what the other pump is , also the CA. emissions can take away some , but I'ld have to look that up .
A good place to look is on the home page here , look for buyers guide , you can find the yr. to yr. changes ratings ect .
Check out this site , very big site , you can dig for days & find lots of info .
Well a couple of sites .
CumminsDatabase.com :: Turning Up A P7100 Pump

Dodge Ram Information

 

[RYowell]

Thanks and sorry for the confusion. My truck is as discribed in the"Original" section. The "salvage" engine is the one that was supplied as a replacement, and is currently running as discribed in my response with the questions. Hope this helps to clarify the situation. Thanks for the websites.

 

[moparguy]

RYowell, sounds like you do have a decent engine. However, no 215hp rated engines with the automatic. If a 96 up 12 valve engine, it was a 180hp unit. If 94 thru 95, it was rated at 160hp.



So, if I've read you correctly, the 35 less hp rated engine (if the salvage engine is a 96 up engine) along with no higher hp aftermarket plate is to blame for the less observed horsepower you're seeing.



Good luck, RJR

 

[Shadrach]

Truck 1 is a US built 3500 dually 2wd cab and chassis with a CTD and a 5 speed,215/440 CPL 2175. Truck 2 is a Mexico built 3500 dually 4wd club cab with a CTD and an auto, 180/420 CPL 2174. The pump and timing, injectors, turbo, pistons and rings are all different. However as you have propably read on here getting a 180 engine to perform better is not a problem. :-laf (I will get back to you later with the actual engine serial numbers. ) Shadrach

 

[Shadrach]

Truck 1 ESN is 56335096 built 05/Feb/97 CPL 2175 215/460

Truck 2 ESN is 56301379 built 21/Aug 96 CPL 1863 180/420 This is a real early 97 model. BTW both engines show frost plug style block heaters. Shadrach

 

[RYowell]

Thanks a bunch. Are the ESN's specifc to the the engine as installed in the VIN # Truck, I can't find anywhere that they are tied together? At least knowing what I know now, I can look for the best way to improve the performance. Maybe when I learn more about using the TDR website, I'll gain some ideas on which way to go

Thanks again for your time and effort.

 

[Shadrach]

Each engine is assigned a serial number as it is built as does a truck . Unlike trucks where you can tell lots of information, ie cabstyle,year, plant etc, engines are given a number in numerical sequence, like the last six of the truck VIN. The plant then will match an engine to a truck by what the truck VIN and build sheet calls for. Shadrach