Smoking Cummins 855

When I ran the test you described, engine oil pressure was in the 40-45psi area and STC pressure was 20 I’ve held off fixing the air leaks till it runs right and it takes so long to air up. If I remember correctly, after the engine was actually at operating temp, E/OP was closer to 30-35 and STC was around 15. Just for grins I checked it again ahead to the STC valve and gained @2-4 psi, but still run around 1/2 E/OP.
I plumbed an air regulator directly into the steel braided line and as soon as I spun the dial from zero I could hear air under the rear valve cover. After I uncovered it, I could see a mist above #6 and sounded like that area also, there were bubbles coming from the tappets, but the mist was from lower.

Talked to a parts guy today. The cross overs are in the $3-5 range, @$250 for all the gaskets and seals to replace them. Have them ordered, probably going to put it together with just the cross overs and old gaskets just to make sure it goes to running right. After she clears up I’ll install the new gaskets, it’s not like after 3 months it would take to much time to do it the long way... just Incase I still have an injector issue.

 

I have not verified the accessory drive timing since I installed the cam shaft. I have, however, run the valves using a dial indicator to confirm the valves and injector where in there set/idle positions.

 

We fade in... our destroyed hero has just been given a light from the forum gods.....
Our hero, give a new light, called the typically hurendous parts man. And says, “ Oh parts man, I need the Injector Oil Cross Over Tube and I need it “least expensive””. The all powerful parts man replies, “why yes I can get them for you!!! They will only cost you $4 a peice”!!! Ecstatic our hero replied,” yes bring me all 6, I’ll not be having this problem once more!!! And send me the gaskets and seals as well, we will seal this monster up once and for all!!! And make haste, we must have a conclusion to this story soon!!!”” The sly parts man says with an evil laugh, “ The tubes will cost you $24 but the gaskets will be another $225!, you will owe me $300 after taxes and freight!!” Our hero stuck... right where it hurt scrambles for his stance, and with his last strike replies, “save every cent you can on postage... time is available!!!” Set back by this turn of tide, the parts man agrees and saved our hero $20.!!!! But it took 2 weeks to get the weapons of success!!

Stay tuned for the conclusion....

 

(For the long awaited conclusion)
We fade in.........

Our lowly Hero, having finally receiving the fabled weapons from the tricky parts man approached the beast with a new sense of confidence. He had studied the manuals, he dealt with the parts man, and he listened to the Great Gods of the forum!! He strutted up to the beast, stared at it with an uneasy eye, and proclaimed, ”this time time sweet heart, this time we fix what ales you, this time we will return you to the beauty you once were...., to the beauty you deserve!!” Like a master of all, his hands went to work. Working sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly, but always with precision, he installed the injector crossover tubes, with the new O-rings and gaskets he placed each piece back into its home. With a delicate feel he re set the valves and injectors and installed the Jakes and covers a final time.....
The moment of truth had arrived. Had he done things correctly, did he learn from his mistakes, A hail of questions rolled through the mind of our hero, was it enough this time??? As the Cummins rolled over, waiting to catch prime, the anticipation built. Will it be the beauty or the beast that arrives?? And with the first fire, the engine comes to life. Our hero shocked with amazement and disbelief saw before him, not the beast that had threatened him for so long, but a beauty that shown with an almost unimaginable light!!!! With out the slightest of haze from her exhaust, the Cummins idled like a lake on a calm day. OUR HERO HAD WON!!

With a new mind, the hero looked upon the rest of our beauty and said “this is not good enough!” He continued to repair the air leaks, adjust the doors, clean out the cab, correct the gauges and fix the back lighting.. yes yes he thought of it all!! He added the work lighting, he tightened the flairs, yes she almost as she was the day she was born!!! And moreover, she was ready to return home!!!

 

Sorry it took so long for the finally of the “Story of the Smoking Cummins 855” but I had a bit of writers block!

Flash forward 1 1/2 years; I talked with the owners (the older brothers) today and guess our old girl is starting back into her old ways. To paraphrase our conversation, after a long heavy pull, when they let off the accelerator they are getting successive white smoke (white sm