ISB 5.9 24 valve block mounted Air Compressor

[MGDnBishop]

Through my research I see where in 1999, Cummins supplied 5.9 engines to Freightliner for the MT45 Step Van. They came with air brakes and an Air Compressor. By what I can tell the Air Compressor was block mounted under fuel pump. My question is. Will that compressor bolt up to my 1998 Ram 5.9 24 valve block or are there different front timing covers for each application? I won't need the vacuum pump for my application. Any input on this will be appreciated....Thanks

 

[Ozymandias]

Subscribed as I'm heavy interested in that too.

 

[NIsaacs]

It should, I have one factory mounted on my 1990, 6BTA. The power steering pump mounts to the back of it, not the Dodge type pump. It is a standard TRW type.

I need vacuum, so mine came with a belt drive pump, note the location in the picture. I have since went to an electric pump as you can't get parts for them anymore.

Keep in mind with a Dodge pickup application, the compressor/steering pump will cover up the motor mount bolt holes in the block. I went with a front gearcase cover mount and bellhousing mount.

It would be very difficult to mount in a Dodge pickup. Mine is in a Ford conversion so everything had to be built from scratch anyway.

 

[slowmover]

I wouldn’t want one. Expensive and a genuine power drain on big trucks (where it IS required). System moisture another problem GOES WITH such a critter. Air Dryers have their own problems. Leaks anywhere will drive you nuts, etc.

Plenty of alternatives versus the gear for DOT Air Brake vehicles.

.

 

[Bromiley99]

I bought a late 90’s Thomas built school bus a couple months ago. I haven’t had time to do anything with it yet. It’s got a 24 valve Cummins paired with an Allison trans, also of course factory air compressor, yes it’s a different timing case an cover. I will snap some pictures when I’m back at that shop for you to look at.

 

[Bromiley99]

Well I could be wrong. Sorry my pictures aren’t very good it was very cold and I was in a hurry. BUT, everything looks the same, the compressor just bolts up in place of the vacuum pump.

 

[BigPapa]

Yes, most school buses have them. It’s not like running an electric compressor, anytime the engine’s running, the compressor’s running.

There’s a wet tank, a dry tank, a drier, purge valves, a governor valve, etc and then there’s all the extra coolant lines. On your school bus, look at the air output hose. It’s a braided SS hose. On most Thomas buses, that hose is between 8’-10’ long and some have an extension hose that’s 10’-12’ long that was added. The air from the compressor is HOT because the compressor is always running, these long SS hoses were an effort to try to cool the air down before the tank.

Then you’ll have to deal with the PS pump. The lowest output available is still well over the pressure and flow of our PS pumps. I don’t know how our steering gears would take it.

I wouldn’t want one on my truck unless you HAD to have it for air brakes.

 

[NIsaacs]

I wouldn’t want one on my truck unless you HAD to have it for air brakes.

On my '74 Ford F-350, air brakes were an option. Pictures for proof

 

[MGDnBishop]

Thanks everyone for all the good information. The photos and opinions helped. I'm a retired heavy duty diesel mechanic and have been working with air systems on trucks most of my life. I'm not that up on the light duty Cummins B models in pickups as to there exceptability to the more heavy duty air systems. After a lot of reasearch and comparing part numbers from different B model engine numbers through Cummins Quickserve it looks like adding a compressor to a Chrysler product Cummins is possible. The problem is they are pretty hard to find and expensive so pulling one off the shelf and trying it on was not an option. I needed to be really sure it was going to work before I spent the money. Again Thanks to everyone for your input. HAPPY NEW YEAR, CHEERS!