VE Pump Specs

[Greenleaf]

I have been fumbling around in a pump book and found some information I'd like to present. Put your thinking caps back on and reply if you have any information you'd like to share.



I'd also like to mention that I, for one, am much more concerned with engine/transmission longgevity as opposed to treating my truck like a super stock pulling tractor. I really DO NOT like wrenching on them any more than I have to



Here is what I found



The Wax motor style KSB has no pressure by pass. This can lead to blown pump seals. The electric solenoid style does employ the pressure by pass.



Wax motor will not open the KSB valve untill coolant temp is 160° Then normal pump timing resumes



Electrical solenoid will not open the KSB valve untill the intake temp reaches 90° and normal pump timing resumes.



Bosch made the following size head/plungers for the VE pump



8mm to 14mm. Our trucks use the 12mm plunger. I know some are using a 13m ?????? They seem to have some minor reliability issues with these. I'm not sure if they are Cummins parts or some aftermarket make.

 

[Greenleaf]

I forgot to mention, I don't use the KSB on my trucks. They are disabled in favor of increased static timing. The KSB is to assist in the elimination of cold start (white) smoke.



The Older style trucks use the Wax motor. The controlling switch (cooland temp switch) is normally open. This means that there is no current flowing through it to the wax motor when the engine is cold. The switch will close when the coolant temp is 160° thus supplying power to the KSB wax motor.



The newer trucks 1991-up are different. They use the electric solenoid to control the KSB. The switch that controls the KSB, called the intake manifold temp sensor or switch, is normally closed. It will send power to the KSB solenoid only when the engine is cold. The switch will open when the engine intake air temp reaches 90°

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

Scott, for the newer guys maybe you could explain the wax 'motor' phrase... it's a little deceptive when it comes to the 'normal' impression of a motor.



The pump head being used by some of us guys is actually a 14mm plunger and barrel and, perhaps you could share what applications use/used the larger plunger/barrel assemblies that you referred to ...

I also agree with your position on the use of the KSB under normal street/driving conditions. The increased internal pressure will often result in the loss of seal on the KSB piston timing cover...



pb...

 

[Greenleaf]

The book does not list "what" the applications are. I know that the general concensious is that they are used in Marine applications on the Volvo Penta engine.



The KSB used on the pre 91 engine is a wax pellet. It's longer than the later models using the electrical solenoid. The wax is heated and thus forces the steel pin/plunger outward. The electric solenoid is just that. The rubber plunger is moved out via the solenoid and returned by... . ummmm, I'm not sure. Fuel pressure perhaps? The solenoid looks just like the one used in the high pressure head. However it works just opposite. The solenoid is engergized and moves the plunger out... not "in" like the one we like to cuss at.

 

[BushWakr - RIP]

... ... . SWEET !!!!

 

[JLEONARD]

used in Marine applications on the Volvo Penta engine.

I believe it is a 300 hp application but I haven't been able to get any of my souces to tell what the pump number is. It's for a Vovlo diesel so I'm sure the rated rpm is up there a bit... . maybe 3600??

 

[tugboatphil]

The wax is heated and thus forces the steel pin/plunger outward.

So when the engine cools, the wax hardens again and it is "reset"?

 

[Greenleaf]

more like, the coolant temp switch will open and cut the power to the wax motor thus it cools and the actuation pin moves in. A spring loaded valve then closes the KSB



Tug... You ain't got a KSB, no more

 

[tugboatphil]

When I showed my engine at our December meet & greet, they couldn't believe that you had taken off that air tube from the AFC housing. I have a whole box of leftover parts!

 

[JLEONARD]

The wax is a slug that heats and expands, moves an actualtor of some sort, then cools and contracts allowing the actuator to move back.

That it?



Sometimes when engineering departments are referred to as "wax museums" they bear no resemblance to the aforementioned process. It has an entirely different meaning.

 

[Greenleaf]

Tug,



The guys at the (Smoke Over Peru) Convention got a real kick out of all the injection pump parts you really don't need. The KSB and heter grids (on the truck) with all that wire and switchery just got in my way.



-S