Octamog
Observer
After way too long on the back burner, the Octamog project is starting to move forward again. Sometimes, however, you have to take a step backwards to move forward.
The first planned change is to replace the 1st generation 6BT Cummins (160 hp, stock)/Eaton 5 sp. transmission with an ISB 3.9 Commonrail 4 cylinder (170 hp stock) /Allison 1000 5 sp. auto. trans. There were several design decisions that were mandated by the Isuzu cab (such as a rear mounted radiator) that in retrospect were not optimum. With the ISB 4 cylinder, over 300 lbs will be removed from the drivetrain and a more conventional cooling system restored. The engine in the Octamog is mounted very far forward (flywheel approx. at the 1st axle centerline) so the weight (moment) removed from the front axle will be equivalent to well over 600 lbs off the front axle. The Allison should be a great improvement over the Eaton (which was already over it's torque rating) and will add an overdrive.
I really lucked out, and found the ISB/Allison from a wrecked Frito Lay van. These engines are really rare here in the U.S. The donor chassis was made by Workhorse, which has since been acquired by Navistar, so they are no longer using Cummins engines in those chassis -- I guess Navistar needed to acquire a chassis manufacture to sell those PowerSmoke engines!
If anyone on the left-coast needs a low-mileage 6BT/Eaton with a turned up pump and EDM'ed injectors, one may be available shortly!
The first planned change is to replace the 1st generation 6BT Cummins (160 hp, stock)/Eaton 5 sp. transmission with an ISB 3.9 Commonrail 4 cylinder (170 hp stock) /Allison 1000 5 sp. auto. trans. There were several design decisions that were mandated by the Isuzu cab (such as a rear mounted radiator) that in retrospect were not optimum. With the ISB 4 cylinder, over 300 lbs will be removed from the drivetrain and a more conventional cooling system restored. The engine in the Octamog is mounted very far forward (flywheel approx. at the 1st axle centerline) so the weight (moment) removed from the front axle will be equivalent to well over 600 lbs off the front axle. The Allison should be a great improvement over the Eaton (which was already over it's torque rating) and will add an overdrive.
I really lucked out, and found the ISB/Allison from a wrecked Frito Lay van. These engines are really rare here in the U.S. The donor chassis was made by Workhorse, which has since been acquired by Navistar, so they are no longer using Cummins engines in those chassis -- I guess Navistar needed to acquire a chassis manufacture to sell those PowerSmoke engines!
If anyone on the left-coast needs a low-mileage 6BT/Eaton with a turned up pump and EDM'ed injectors, one may be available shortly!
