Tilted 4BT?

[ezcurra]

Hello,



I'm building a 6x6 M715. For obvious reasons, getting good driveshaft angles is not easy while keeping the transmission/TC from hanging under the frame rails. I'm using a Cummins 4BT, NV4500 and a married Ford NP205.



One idea that might give me a good compromise is to tilt the entire powertrain backwards 5 degrees. Does anyone know if the 4BT would suffer any oiling problems from being tilted?



Thanks,

Mikel

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Tilting any engine 5° should not affect it's ability to keep the oil (or any other fluids) where they need to be.



Matt

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Hello,



One idea that might give me a good compromise is to tilt the entire powertrain backwards 5 degrees. Does anyone know if the 4BT would suffer any oiling problems from being tilted?



Thanks,

Mikel

I've set many engines further back than that, no problems to speak of from them. Most interstates are at a higher degree angle than that when going up hills. My 4bt I had in my first repower would pick up oil and lube at nearly a 50 degree angle. I used to climb rocks and hillsides with it that required a winch line to the top to keep from rolling over.

 

[JLEONARD]

Tilting shouldn't hurt anything... . in marine installations the engine is tiled more than that at times. Grabted they may use a different oil pan, so there's an option if you feel you need it.

One phemomena they talk about in marine forums with Cummins engines tilted back is that they can puke out more blowby... often they run them 1/2 qt or 1 full qt below the full line on the dipstick because once they get to that level the blowby gets normal.

Just somethiing to keep your eye on.

Jay

 

[ezcurra]

Hello,

Being tilted backwards, the oil would run towards the sump. But I was making sure... Thanks,

Mikel



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[DKarvwnaris]

Have you looked into a bigelow joint driveshaft for the forward rear axle? They are not cheap, but would allow you to keep the rear most shaft higher and not have to worry about forward drive axle compression hitting it on rough terrain. If you need a link, I can post one later, I'm not at my shop to find the info right now.

 

[ezcurra]

I'd love to see that link. Are you refering to a CV driveshaft?

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Thanks,

Mikel

 

[btanner]

there are several driveshaft shops that I know that will make large cv shafts that will last longer than your truck. Rye Valley Oil & Gear 886-793-6451 High Angle Driveline 530-877-2875 Tom Woods Driveshafts 877-4xshaft Any of those people will be able to hook you up with a good shaft I would recommend Rye Valley first because they seem to have lower prices and just as good of quality. But locality might be an issue I know that Rye Valley is in Virginia High Angle is in California and Tom Woods is in Utah. Tilting the engine that much isn't going to hurt anything especially since you are leaning it towards the pick up. The oil pan is so deep on the Cummins that that little of an angle won't effect anything.



-ben

 

[DKarvwnaris]

I'd love to see that link. Are you refering to a CV driveshaft?

Thanks,

Mikel

No. Its more than just a CV shaft, these things are incredibly flexible They also stay balanced throughout their pivot range. I am trying to find the video of the bigelow shaft that a cute female model is holding onto while it is spinning at high RPM. She is using one hand to angle it in various positions with no balance or kick back as it rotates. I have seen a few on rock buggy's etc. They work incrediblly well. You can use them on both ends of the shaft, so I have been told. Imagine the pinion angles you could elminat on a lifted Jeep or other short shafted vehicle.

Only link I can find at the moment is:

http://www.4xshaft.com/bigelow.html



I will dig around in my shop later this week, hopefully I can locate the literature then and web links. The applications are going to be incredible when it is in full production for all markets. Right now, it is limited to driveshaft assemblies from what I have read. They are being sold through limited vendors currently. They seem a little high priced but considering the problems it will solve all by itself in modified vehicles, I think they'll be worth it.

 

[ezcurra]

Very interesting. Thank you.