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Old 12-21-2010, 05:23 PM   #1
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Seattle, Washington
Posts: 82
Year: 1981
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American FE
Engine: Cummins 555 9.1 L diesel
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Cummins V555 9.1liter

Following up on the radiator/black smoke etc. thread here. The mechanic has said that the engine, minus an oil leak (valve cover) that is being fixed, is in good shape--clean and strong. I'm hoping he's right, but is it stupid to think about a new engine and radiator assembly as long as I've got to do the radiator?

Folks don't generally like that engine, though I've had good luck with it--we have a nice reciprocal relationship: I treat it well, and keep it in its happy place of 2600 rpms, and it treats me well, and carries all my crap up and down steep mountain passes.

If one put in a DT466 or Cat 3208 there might be more room for the radiator, too, though that seems more like throwing away the baby with the bathwater.

Anyone else have a 9.1L? Why are most I see the smaller 5.9 or 8.2?

So many questions...so little time playing on the bus.
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Old 12-24-2010, 04:24 AM   #2
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Join Date: Sep 2006
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Year: 92
Coachwork: ward flat nose
Chassis: international
Engine: dt466 mt643 air ride
Rated Cap: 84
Re: Cummins V555 9.1liter

IF YOU'VE GOT THE CUMMINS 555, keep it as long as it works. I know there are many people the don't like that engine, but it is a workhorse. I use to drive for a company that ran those engines in tractor trailer rigs coast to coast. Yeah, they fell on their face on big hills, but we were grossing 72,000 pounds with them. And you could run all day long at 2600 rpm and those engines would just ask for more. The only thing I remember bad about them is you've gotta change those bottom end bearings about every 200k miles, but during that time, that was standard on most v-8 diesels anyway. How many hp is your engine rated at. Should be good past 300hp. You have a Heavy Duty engine there. The 466 is a medium duty and the 3208 ain't even allowed in the class of either (JMHO) as a true truck engine. I digress, maybe the cat makes a good local dump truck throw away engine. Anyway, fix the leaks and keep on busing.
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Old 12-24-2010, 07:34 AM   #3
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Re: Cummins V555 9.1liter

Thomas powered their first batch of Saf-T-Liner pushers with Cummins 555's...that being a catastrophe, I recall most were repowered with 3208's. That tells me repowering yours with a 3208 should work...but that would be a HUGE job.

And for the record, 3208's most emphatically WERE used in OTR use. (Remember the old Ford C-series cabover tractors? Many of those got 3208 power.) I would MUCH rather have a 3208 than a 555 Cummins.
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Old 12-03-2014, 08:30 PM   #4
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Re: Cummins V555 9.1liter

Has anyone tried to swap out the 555 for a Detroit 6v92 with an auto? I've found one with 70k miles and the fire truck it came in for a pretty low price, thoughts anyone? To go from 225hp to the 350hp of the Detroit would be a big improvement on the road...
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Old 12-08-2014, 05:55 PM   #5
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Re: Cummins V555 9.1liter

Only issue used is finding someone to do maintance on the ole 2strokes, ei running the racks and setting up Jakes

I would like a front mounted 14ltr

Also there was a bus nut selling the same combo over the last 2 yrs
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Old 12-08-2014, 09:17 PM   #6
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Re: Cummins V555 9.1liter

I can do the maintenance, that's not the problem, will it fit? Is what I need to know
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