Last Updated on: 7th September 2023, 12:44 am
The most well-known B series truck engine is the Cummins 6BT. The Cummins 5.9L 6BT engine was the first diesel engine to be used as a substitute for V8 gasoline engines in full-size pickup trucks.
Manufacturing started in 1984. It was designed to run Case agricultural equipment.
In the future, however, the 6BT was widely used in light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles and buses.
Due to its strong power at low rpm and throughout the engine speed range, as well as higher fuel consumption than Dodge’s gasoline V8 engines, the turbocharged 12 Valve Cummins engine gained a lot of momentum in Dodge Ram pickup trucks from 1989 to 1998.
In this article, we’ll discuss the design of the Cummins 6BT engine, as well as its reliability and issues.
Design of the Cummins 6BT Engine
The 3.9L 4BT engine is a smaller, more fuel-efficient brother of the 6BT. The design (inline engine) is the same, but the number of cylinders differs.
The Cummins 6BT engine is a turbocharged diesel engine with inline six cylinders that has a capacity of 5.9 litres (turbodiesel).
Cast iron is used for the cylinder head and the engine block. 12 valve OHV valvetrain with solid tappets (2 valves per cylinder). In this configuration, the engine is often referred to as a 12-valve Cummins.
A set of timing gears are located at the engine’s front end (no belts or chains). An oil pump and a gasoline pump both utilise gears to work.
The engine is equipped with a mechanical injection pump and fuel injectors that are both reliable and easy to adjust.
Prior to 1994, the engines utilised a Bosch VE44 rotary injection pump, however some early vehicles used a CAV rotary injection pump.
In engines developed after 1994, the Bosch P7100 injection pump is utilised. All 5.9l engines have had a turbocharger and an air-to-air intercooler since 1991.
Holset produced the Holset H1C (1989-1993), Holset WH1 (1994), and Holset HX35 turbochargers (1994-1998).
The grid heater is mounted on the intake manifold instead of utilising a typical glow plug system to help start the engine in cold conditions.
The Chrysler 47RH (4-speed automatic), New Venture NV4500 (5-speed manual), and GETRAG G360 gearboxes were among the options for the engine.
The 12-valve engine was produced until 1998, when it was replaced by the new 24-valve 5.9L ISB Cummins engine with Bosch high-pressure Common Rail fuel injection.
Cummins 6BT Engine Specs
- Manufacturer: Cummins
- Production years: 1989-1998
- Cylinder block material: Cast Iron
- Cylinder head material: Cast Iron
- Fuel type: Diesel
- Fuel system: Direct Injection (DI), mechanical injection pump
- Configuration: Inline
- Number of cylinders: 6
- Valves per cylinder: 2
- Valvetrain layout: OHV
- Bore: 4.02 inch, 102 mm
- Stroke: 4.72 inch, 119 mm
- Displacement: 359 cubic inches, 5.9 liters
- Type: Four-stroke, turbocharged
- Compression Ratio: 17.0:1
- Power: 160 – 215 hp at 2,500 rpm
- Torque: 400-440 lb-ft (542-597 Nm) at 1,600 rpm
- Engine weight: 1100 lbs, 499 kg, dry
- Firing order: 1-5-3-6-2-4
- Engine oil weight: SAE 15W40 diesel oil with a dual rating of at least CF4 and at least SG
- Engine oil capacity: 12 qts (11.4 liters) with filter
- Oil change interval: 6,000 miles (10,000 km) or 6 months (3000 miles for heavy duty use)
- Applications: Dodge Ram pickup trucks, buses, marines, agricultural equipment, construction machinery
Reliability & Issues of the Cummins 6BT
Because the engine block and head are composed of cast iron, they will endure a long time. There isn’t much in the way of technology, and it isn’t very impressive.
The 6BT is a straightforward diesel engine that has injectors and a mechanical pump.
It simplifies the process of maintaining fuel quality. Cummins engines with 12 valves are also known for starting quickly regardless of the weather.
The engine, however, has a number of faults. A grid heater that has gotten clogged is one of them. It links the intake manifold to the air tube.
Over time, the heating element got covered in soot, reducing airflow into the intake manifold.
In this condition, an engine takes longer to start than usual and sometimes dies when idling or at low rpms, resulting in higher fuel consumption.
Another concern with the 12-valve engine is the “Killer Dowel Pin”, or KDP. Near a bolt connecting the timing gear and the fuel pump gear, a steel dowel pin is pushed into the engine block.
This pin backs out a little due to engine vibration.
It’s possible that the pin may fall between the timing gears, causing serious engine damage (blend valves, brake pistons, and timing gears).
There are, however, a few very low-cost alternatives for avoiding the engine from having such a significant market influence.
