350 small cam Cummins, can I run OTR with this?

I really appreciate your help and knowledge thank you

 

I think they are good little engines. But it’s a 350. I wouldn’t hop it up too hot. It’ll never be a 5 or 600 and live. At least not in my opinion. And that’s worth what you paid for it. The BC 4 is decent. But with the low flow cooling they can’t handle the heat from being hopped up either. You can convert them to standard flow and do fine.

I think it all really boils down to what you want/need. If you are happy with 350 and no jakes then rebuild. If you want a hot rod and jakes then you probably should swap.

 

Big cam 4 and NT88 were solid engines. The low flow cooling system and step timing were the problems for many folks. People just didn't understand them or have the patience to make them work.

 

You could get small cams up through 1980. Uncle ordered a new Western Star in ‘80 with one. It was around $2500 cheaper. Cummins had a surplus of blocks and offered them. The military still used sc NHC and NT 250’s up thru the late 80’s.

 

Did they ever have Jakes on a SC?

 

Yes. That is what Clessie invented them for. First set was tested on a NH 743 cid. Back around 1961. I have them on my 350. They came off of the original 335. Dealer installed back in ‘67. Model 20

 

You can use some big cam jake models on the small cams. Some need slight mods to work. All the overhaul kits will pretty much interchange. Adjustments are however different.