Souping up a 1st gen?

[Nate]

We have 3 1990 CTDs at work. Old school, no intercooler or anything.



I was wondering if there's a quick easy way to increase the power?? Something that doesn't cost money.



We use the trucks for pulling trailer, 30,000lbs+ and they are pretty darn gutless, even with 7. 17 gears.

 

[Niki]

Yep, look at the stickys, although when you turn the fuel screw up you need guages, especially towing 30K# w/ a non intercooled one. 7. 17 gears? Are these spotter trucks?

 

[bgilbert]

I wouldn't mess with them much as you could burn the house down and put more wear on the turbo after a hard pull around the yard, then shut down etc. That said, I would start with the AFC tuning. Rotate the eccentric cone to the thinnest setting. Turn the star wheel and smoke screw down. Then back out the high idle screw for more throttle travel.

 

[Nate]

I dunno what a spotter truck is, we call them Bobtails. They are a cab and like 3-4 foot flatbed on the back.



I'll have to look at the stickeys, I know nothing about this old setups... AFC??

 

[glhs]

If they are gutless, I read that as poor spoolup at you elevation. Maybe they need some 14 cm housings. Unfortunatly $170 each.

 

[dpuckett]

AFC adjustments can be made to compensate for elevation. My 91 didnt run much different at 6000ft than at 300ft.



DP

 

[sdstriper]

We have 3 1990 CTDs at work. Old school, no intercooler or anything.



I was wondering if there's a quick easy way to increase the power?? Something that doesn't cost money.



We use the trucks for pulling trailer, 30,000lbs+ and they are pretty darn gutless, even with 7. 17 gears.

These were military units? With that gearing you think they are gutless, they're not, that gearing is for creeping around with million plus dollar units in tow and your not feeling the speed normally associated with power.

 

[Nate]

Yes they are military.



Pulling 2 trailers 30,000lbs of bombs means WOT and doing maybe 5mph.

 

[MTownsend]

I don't know, But I think I'd be woried about stoping 30,000# of bombs :--)

My 91 has more power than my breaking system.



Are these trucks currently millitary trucks? If so Take good care of them for me, I'll be bidding on them as the go up for auction. :-laf A company in my town (intercontanental truck body) makes there replacements.

mike

 

[sdstriper]

Yes they are military.



Pulling 2 trailers 30,000lbs of bombs means WOT and doing maybe 5mph.

7. 17 gears

 

[PToombs]

Government Liquidation has some of these they are selling. I wanted to buy one for the body, but none are very close to me. They are very short!

 

[Nate]

Yeah I mentioned that.



Unloaded you can do around 35mph with them.

7. 17 gears

 

[sdstriper]

Yah, you mentioned that. So now I am telling you that I doubt turning up the pump is going to net you a thing other than cooked pistons etc. The gearing was picked for hauling 30,000 pounds of bombs. Enough said.