Cummins V8 555 & 903

The 903 was a great motor as long as it didn`t have Jacobs brakes fitted.The Jacobs braske eventually broke a lobe off the camshaft,otherwise,given proper mainenence they would do over a million k`s.They were rated at 295hp in Louisvilles and 320hp in 3070`s,with different torque curves.Cummins have made a few duds,and the the 555 and V504 could well be classed in that catagory.The V504 was of pommie origin and was the death of the Commer knocker motor when Dodge became involved in the Rootes group,I think it was origonaslly the V185 and then the V210,later to become the VT190,another dud.The V555 was a bigger displacement motor,and I thought it was of American origin,though I could be wrong.All of then suffered from the usual Cummins woes of electrolisis if inhibitor wasn`t kept up to them.

Hi Bigcam, welcome aboard. Sounds like you know what your talking about on the cummins subject , ian.

There is a turbo aftercooled version used in industrial/marine applications that puts out over 500hp.Cummins decided to develop the 855 with compound turbo`s etc,and could never get the same economy out of the 903 and I think that was the end of them.Driving a VT903 is like driving a sports car,8V92`s are similar,not the usual slow coming back in the revs like an 855/N14

All

I'm no Cummins expert - but I was around with the V504, V555 & V903's.

C line inters, ACCO's of the same vintage (step cabs) and Dodges used the V504 engines. Usually rated at 185HP with later units up to 210HP. The ACCO designations were C1950 for the 185HP motor and C2050 for the 210HP units. And the 504 bit is the CUI capicity.

The V8 185HP should not be confused with the C160T - the older 6 cyl 160HP that were turboed up to 185HP. Ford F8000's were avail with that engine.

The 555 (555CUI) arrived with the ACCO A's (tilt cabs). And were avail in either 210HP (usually in a single drive chassis) and 225HP in tandem drives. Again designated (in ACCO's) as 2050 and 2150's.

The 903 (903CUI) came with ACCO 3070's and Ford LN/LNT 9000's. These were rated anywhere from 290 thru to 320HP.

I cant recall any V504's being turbo charged. But 555 turbos - VT555 ran up to 250HP and the VT 903 to 350HP.

The V504 series engies had a fair reputation - but were noted for water leaks around the head gaskets and hard to keep cool. And I doubt they ever reached their full HP.

The early 555's (Triple nickels) were a problem - but Cummins did some upgrades which seemed to sort them out. Again - a bit over rated in the HP department.

And in my experience the 903 (9 & theepence)(for anyone around pre 14th Feb 1966) was a bloody reliable motor. It lacked a bit of grunt down low (as most V8's did) but would march along once it got wound up.

The VT190's and VT 210's are a different family of engines - later models. The V for V8, the T for turbo and the 190 for HP.

We should remember that in the few years leading up to these motors becoming avail - many an operator ran 2 trailers behind 160HP AB & C Line Inters. So a move to (say) 225HP was a huge difference.

I may be wrong - but thats how I remember it.

Oldfulla

Hi Pete,the VT 190 is a 504 with a turbo,one of their traits was flywheel problems,and the cheapest way to fix them was to get a flywheel of a V8/185 and change the clutch,otherwise you had to get one off Cummins and pay the dollars.

im glad i ended up getting another UD instead of a acco Vt powered beast .. i think the UD turbo motor is advertised at around 212hp & maybe a bit more reliable .. i looked at a VT190 today in a ex fire truck ..its a wonder they didnt develop well over the 190 advertised hp ..they have a rather large "hairdryer" sitting between the V

im glad i ended up getting another UD instead of a acco Vt powered beast .. i think the UD turbo motor is advertised at around 212hp & maybe a bit more reliable .. i looked at a VT190 today in a ex fire truck ..its a wonder they didnt develop well over the 190 advertised hp ..they have a rather large "hairdryer" sitting between the V

The UD motor should definatly be more reliable,there was a lot of ex RAAF 1950C ACCO`s with VT190`s and Alison`s in them ages ago.The fire Brigade`s had a lot of 6V53T`s or petrol motors and Alison`s.

the acco i seen today is used for a charity bash ..its a 1985 model auto of course .. looks like those VT motors were best left for use as a boat anchor ? ..unfortunally im heading down to melb in a couple of days in my old non turbo UD ..but at least i know she will make it there !

My old man said the Japs don`t have horses,the`ve got pony`s.The old UD`s are a nice reliable old thing,they usually didn`t have the power to hurt the rest of the driveline.Cummins have made some great motors,but they`ve also made some duds,but I suppose most manufacturers have the same drama.

pulled a decent load with the UD yesterday .. had to much weight on the truck to reverse up a moderatly steep hill (its only a 14 ton GVM truck) ..with the trailer behind i would of grossed close to 16 ton .. the old mercedes i have is supposedly rated at 250hp ..with a 12.8 litre V8 .. i hate to say it but those 250 horses are sleeping