KW narrow nose with a big engine

Discussion in 'Kenworth Forum' started by Captain Mudsocks, Sep 22, 2019.

  1. Captain Mudsocks

    Captain Mudsocks Bobtail Member

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    I'm keeping an eye out for a junk truck to rebuild for work in the 1955-'75 range. I don't really care what shape it's in as long as it's got a steel frame and 3 axles. A cab would be nice. I figure I can rebuild anything, but I'm wondering, what are the dimensions of the hood on those narrow nose trucks? Would a Cat 3406,or 855 cummins, or something in that size range fit? Also I thought they discontinued the narrow hood KWs in '69, but I heard somewhere that they kept on making 'em until '82 when they went over to the w900b. Can anybody verify this? :)
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2019
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Maybe @Ridgeline can help a fellow Michigan driver.
     
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  4. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    I know you could still get a narrow nose A model up into the 70's at least, and yes a 3406 or any 855 cummins were used in them. I have my eye on one, a 71, that came with a cummins, still has one, but aluminum frame and it is cracked.
    I am wondering if a there is enough room to fit a 12,7 detroit and the air to air, or a 3406 E and have enough radiator capacity to cool some higher horsepower.
     
    Captain Mudsocks Thanks this.
  5. Captain Mudsocks

    Captain Mudsocks Bobtail Member

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    I think the dimensions on an 11, 12.7 and 14.L 60 series was 57in long, 50in high, and 35 wide. 855 Cummins is bigger.
     
    Bean Jr. Thanks this.
  6. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    I know the engine itself will fit, where I am concerned is stuffing the air to air, plus the ac condensor behind the grill on a short hood, and cooling capacity on the skinny radiator.
     
  7. Captain Mudsocks

    Captain Mudsocks Bobtail Member

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    Yeah, I'm not sure about that. I've heard of needle nose trucks with bigger motors and functional air to air, but I have no idea what they did to get 'em in there, or what truck models were used.
     
  8. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    The A models originally used a the grill densor for the ac, and I know you can get an air to air ib the wide hoods with some modifications,, for sure if you still use one, but they are not the best, especially since we had the freon change.
    I actually know of at least one thin hood, actually butterfly extended hood that has a v8 cat under it, just a beautiful truck in every way.
     
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  9. Captain Mudsocks

    Captain Mudsocks Bobtail Member

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    Butterflies and kitties.
     
  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Captain Mudsocks and AModelCat Thank this.
  11. wore out

    wore out Numbered Classic

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    Big motors are over rated
     
    Oxbow, Fire ant, stwik and 2 others Thank this.
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