Engine Help

[Indy]

Okay, this isn't really a DIY thing, but I figured the resident gearheads might be able to help me find some info.

The engine on the fire truck blew and now I need to find a replacement. Trouble is, I'm having a devil of a time finding info on it, specifically compatibility. Here's what I know about the truck:

1987 Chevrolet C6000 C6D042
VIN 1GBG6D1F0HVxxxxxx

The engine is, I mean was, a Detroit Diesel. The transmission is an Allison transmission with a PTO.

I can't even find information about what engines and transmissions were options for these trucks.

[Porschephile]

Indy,

What about a crate or remanufactured engine ? Have you called your local Chevy dealership yet ? PM me the vin 17 digits in total.

[jim]

There should be a metal tag on the engine that will have all info you need for it. If all you can find is a serial number for the engine you can take it and call most any heavy truck dealer with a shop or a diesel repair shop and they can give you the spec's on the engine.

Another option would be to find a salvage yard that deal with commercial trucks. They may be able to tell you something.

The only other thing to do would be to contact a Chevy or GMC dealer, or one the deals in commercial vehicles, and talk to their shop who may be able to give you info based on the VIN.

[troy00690]

http://cornwall.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-8-2L-Detroit-diesel-with-Allison-MT-643-trany-W0QQAdIdZ32597971

Found some info. Remember this is somewhat of a guess with out more specs.

[jim]

One more thing. Have you had a diesel mechanic look at the engine to see if it may be salvageable? Many parts on those detroits, and other commercial diesel engines, and replaceable.

For example, you loose a cylinder in a gas engine and the engine may very well be toast, but in a commercial diesel engine you may only need to have the liner replaced.

[Indy]

One more thing. Have you had a diesel mechanic look at the engine to see if it may be salvageable? Many parts on those detroits, and other commercial diesel engines, and replaceable.

For example, you loose a cylinder in a gas engine and the engine may very well be toast, but in a commercial diesel engine you may only need to have the liner replaced.

The mechanic said the rod went through the cylinder wall. His opinion is that it's not salvageable.

I pulled the manuals from the truck today. The manual shows the Detroit Diesel option to be an 8.2L. I presume ours is not the turbo model.

[Indy]

I've been researching this on the internet and it looks like the Detroit Diesels are junk. From what I can tell, the following engines are compatible to the transmission:
6.9L/7.3L IDI,
Cummins "B" 4.9L/5.9L,
CAT 3116,
Ford 6.6L/7.8L - anything 210 HP and below.

I'm not sure if all of those are diesels, but I'd like to stick with a diesel engine for simplicity's sake.

The transmission appears to be an Allison AT545.

[jim]

I really don't have much experience with the smaller engines. 11 liter detroits are the smallest I have ever dealt with.

As far as them being junk, all I can tell you is that the 11 liter and up engines are really good engines. Have driven many a truck with 800,000 to over a million miles on them without any really major work.

I can tell you that all the options you listed are diesel engines. As far as what to put in there my vote would be for the CAT.