Does anyone know much about these motors? We found a pretty nice looking Autocar semi tractor that has one, but aren't familiar with this engine. Are they reliable? Are they known to have any issues? It has 585,000 miles on it. Thanks!
Posted 8/11/2014 13:31 (#4013112 - in reply to #4012879) Subject: RE: Cummins 855 Twin Turbo - 475 hp....Yay or Nay
SW Ontario
What are your plans with it?
What year is the motor?
Is it mechanical or electric governor?
Two turbos eh...nice.
How are the the turbos set up...in series or parallel?
I have a Cummins factory reman with electric governor and single turbo that is supposed to be 429 HP...the 8640 it is in actually dyno'd at 390 at 1900rpm which would put the motor at 475hp.
It is a great motor. It has approx 2500 hours since the reman and the installation into the 8640 by Kinze.
I love the electric governor on it as I set up the wiring harness to install field cruise with a couple $1 pot resistors and a floor mounted blinker switch.
Depending on how many hours you intend to put on the motor a year...I would do an in frame at least unless it has been done.
Posted 8/11/2014 15:23 (#4013207 - in reply to #4013112) Subject: RE: Cummins 855 Twin Turbo - 475 hp....Yay or Nay
Montana
Well....the truck is a 1983 Autocar AT64F. We will be hauling grain and cattle. No coast to coast long hauls. As far as the governor or parallel, I have no clue. So far we have just seen the listing on Craigslist. This is the model, but I highly doubt the one on Craigslist will look that good!
Posted 8/11/2014 15:55 (#4013245 - in reply to #4012879) Subject: RE: Cummins 855 Twin Turbo - 475 hp....Yay or Nay
Pedee, Oregon
I drove a KW for a few years that had one of those motors in it. Power starts at 1650 and will slap it on the governor faster than you can keep up with it. Got about 3 mpg. Oil cooler leaking is usually a problem. Never started well in the cold and took forever to warm up.
Posted 8/11/2014 17:36 (#4013370 - in reply to #4013337) Subject: RE: Cummins 855 Twin Turbo - 475 hp....Yay or Nay
Somerville, Indiana
I am not sure about this engine but the Cummins high torque engines had less compression than normal=harder to start in cool weather even, the Verys had a Hot Start kit on them factory installed...Never had a problem with either 875 that we had, kept one traded one.
Posted 8/11/2014 22:03 (#4013869 - in reply to #4012879) Subject: RE: 855 Cummins Twin Turbo - 475 hp....Yay or Nay
The 475 MVT engine used a mechanical device to advance and retard valve timing. An early model of high output engine in its day. It will require a VERY savvy Cummins tech that may or may not be in your area. I would consider it to be a novelty sort of engine. Go online and just type in 475 MVT Cummins read and make your own decision. Hope this helps.
855 Cummins Twin Turbo - 475 hp....Yay or Nay
