My new M925A2 5-ton 6x6 project

[CStansbury]

Hey all,
I just bought another 5-ton truck at auction. This one is powered by the Cummins 8. 3 CTA engine. The truck needs quite a bit of work on the engine. Someone robbed the IP pump off of it along with the starter, the fuel pump, the stop solenoid/bracket, the crank pulley, and some other odds and ends. A couple of the injector lines were bent when the IP was removed.

Seeing that the 8. 3 and the 5. 9 have a lot in common, I figured this would be a great place to ask about putting it back together.

Do any of you have experience with the 8. 3? Is the IP similar to the P7100 only with different DV's, plungers, fuel plate, etc... ?? Is the timing procedure the same? Does anyone know of companies that sell good used or rebuilt pumps for the 8. 3? Is the pump gear the same?

Here's a pic of it in all its glory followed by a pic of the engine in my M923A2 that I sold last year.

Thanks for any help.

 

[CStansbury]

Bump. Anyone have any leads on 6 CTA 8. 3L info? I found a used take-out engine that has a lot of the parts I need for $2200, but it's in LA and shipping will be pricey. It may be the quickest way to get this thing back together though. I have a chart with the plunger lift specs vs. timing for the 5. 9L from the most recent TDR mag. Does anyone know of a similar chart for the 8. 3L?

Thanks!

 

[CStansbury]

It's hard to believe that with all of these members, that there isn't a single person with 8. 3L CTA experience. Looks like I'll be going the take-out engine route. Seeing that the military version of this engine has so many specialized brackets attached to it, it may be the simplest route.

 

[Simplysmn]

I know its just as far as La is but have you tryed Barstow Truck part's Barstow Ca. he is the biggest on the west coast and may know someone on your side that would have something .

 

[PToombs]

Have any big truck junkyards near you? Look for an 8. 3 in a medium duty truck. Or let the web work for you, google!

 

[jgillott]

Email Dave at Eastern Surplus in Philadelphia. I know that they stock quite a few parts for the M35A2 and the 5-ton trucks.



I believe his email is -- email address removed -- and the site is M35 For Sale. Deuces for Sale Turbo Diesel, Army Trucks, Logging, Heavy Trucks, Off-Road Big Trucks, Four Wheel Drive



He has been great at answering my questions in a timely manner.

 

[Simplysmn]

Also try Southeastern equipt co is Agusta Ga. ask for Roy Smith he's the Owner

 

[CStansbury]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

The problem is that there aren't a lot of these trucks out there with the 8. 3L since it is still in use by the Army. Most of the trucks coming out now are residue that have been picked over before being released. I haven't seen any come out recently with an IP on it. I just got it picked up the other day and haven't had a chance to see if the engine is free.

Most of the surplus dealers don't have any 939A2-series stuff. If they do, they want the moon for it. I have a local guy that can get me everything, but engine stuff for a reasonable amount.

I have looked at the truck salvage yards. There are some 8. 3L's out there. Running take-outs are at least $4000 depending on milage. The problem is they all use a different IP, air-compressor, PS pump, coolant filter, and fuel filter set-up. I need some of those parts too so I would end up spending even more later on. If I wasn't so set on keeping it stock looking, I would put a NTC-400 in there!

I didn't do anything to the 8. 3L in my 923A2. I think I will do a TST Power Kit in this one with some EGT/Boost gauges. The Allison auto should stand up to a little more power. That will help me hold 60-65 MPH in the mountains. Hopefully the cooling system is up for it since the CTA uses coolant to cool the charge air in the after-cooler and there is a huge transmission cooler too.

 

[CStansbury]

Here's a few more "before" pictures of the truck as we were getting it hauled out of Portsmouth:

 

[CStansbury]

A few more:

 

[JLEONARD]

Sam Winner motors Akron, Oh 330-628-4881 advertises in the boating "Yellow Sheet" I get. He lists a lot of military vehicles and equipment and engines/parts as well.

I never bought anything from him, just passing along the info.

I can scan and e mail you the ad if you send me your e mail address to

-- email address removed --

Hope it helps.

 

[CBarr]

Find a local National Guard motor pool, their mechanics should be a wealth of info. on this engine.

Most of these are being phased out of the active duty side, with the NG & Army Reserve being the last to receive the replacement vehicles.

 

[Skydiver]

CStansbury, have you tried this site?



Index :: Steel Soldiers :: Military Vehicles Supersite

 

[CStansbury]

CStansbury, have you tried this site?



Index :: Steel Soldiers :: Military Vehicles Supersite

Yes, I actually own that site As I said before, the 939A2 trucks with the CTA 8. 3 are uncommon so there aren't many people out there with 8. 3 experience. I rebuilt a 923A2, but didn't have to overhaul the engine at all.



I got on Cummins QuickServe and started pulling P/N's. It looks like I will be much better off finding a good, take-out, militarized 8. 3L instead of piecing this one back together. This one has been sitting a while with the front cover off so there is a chance there has been some water inside the engine. It was kept covered, but the drive gears have some pretty good surface rust on them. I don't know if I could trust it on a long haul even if I got it running. It would really suck if I spent $2000 on it getting it running and then it locked up on me after some piece of crap blocked an oil passage and galled a bearing.



I just heard from an active Army buddy the other day. He told me that all of the 939A2 trucks are now being brought up for rebuild instead of selling them off to the public. There is a truck supply shortage because the current contractors can't make enough of the new trucks and the current trucks are stretched too thin because the Army phased out all of the M35A2 deuces and 809-series 5-ton trucks already. Doh!

 

[CUMMINS01]

Im over in Iraq right now and we have tons of 5 tons running around, havent had to many problems with the engines. They are fairly bullet proof, we havent had to do much to them besides regular maintenance

 

[CStansbury]

Thanks for your service!! Stay safe!!

 

[CStansbury]

Update! I spent a whole day working on the truck with my brother. We got the engine turning over after I pulled the air compressor. The compressor was rusted up inside and wouldn't allow the engine to be barred over. Once the compressor was gone, it turned over easy. I got a starter bolted up to it and rigged some wiring to jump it off. It spun over freely and even started briefly with some ether. I think the engine can be saved so I am in the process of getting an IP and all of the other parts to get it running on diesel. I am going back to work on it again this Sunday. I will post some updated pics and video when I get back.



Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

[Chief USA]

Here is another place you might try. They are pretty large company from what I understand and carry a wide range of parts for these trucks.



Army trucks and parts -Memphis Equipment Company

 

[CStansbury]

Here's some more pics for you guys! It's really starting to come together. I had to bolt on a lot of sheet metal to get the cab under cover. My brother and I are starting on the wiring now. We got the starter mounted and wired up. The new air compressor is on. I am hoping to get the IP and the rest of the stuff bolted up right after the first of the year. I also got about 10 gallons of water and 15 gallons of murky diesel cleaned out of the tank. We put about 10 gallons of fresh diesel in there. I have all new filters for the oil, fuel, transmission, fuel-burning heater, aux. trans. filter, etc...



I'll try to get some pics in the daylight next time. It had rained all dang day and the got dark on me when I was trying to finish. What a muddy mess.

 

[CStansbury]

Few more pics in the dark :-laf