Cummins 6BT 12 Valve Engine Specs, Problems & Reliability
Cummins 6BT 12 Valve Engine
Here in this post, I have gathered information about the Cummins 6BT 12 Valve Engine from its official website, including its specifications, Problems, and Reliability.
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This article, which has been updated, has all the information you require about the Cummins 6BT 12 Valve Engine .
The most well-known truck engine from Cummins’ B series is the 6BT.
The first diesel engine, a 5.9-litre Cummins, was installed in a full-size pickup truck as an alternative to the massive V8 gas engines formerly standard. In 1984, production finally got underway.
As its name implies, it was created to power Case farm machinery. However, the 6BT quickly found widespread use in the following decades, powering vehicles ranging from light pickups to medium buses and even some big rigs.
The turbocharged 12-valve Cummins engine was widely used in Dodge Ram pickup trucks from 1989 to 1998.
It offered superior fuel economy to the company’s gasoline V8 engines and produced enormous torque at low rpm and throughout the whole engine speed range.
| 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, litre | 12 qts (11.4 litres) with filter. |
| Oil change interval, mile | 6,000 (10,000 km) or 6 months (3000 miles for severe duty) |
| Applications | Dodge Ram pickup trucks, buses, marines, agricultural equipment, construction machinery |
| 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, mm | 4.02 inch, 102 mm |
| Stroke, mm | 4.72 inch, 119 mm |
| Displacement, cc | 359 cubic inches, 5.9 litres |
| Type of internal combustion engine | Four-stroke, turbocharged |
| Compression Ratio | 17.0: 1 |
| Power, hp | 160 – 215 hp /2,500 |
| Torque, lb-ft | 400-440 lb-ft (542-597 Nm)/1,600 |
| Engine weight | 1100 lbs, 499 kg, dry |
Cylinder block |
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| Cylinder block alloy | Cast iron | |
| Compression ratio: | 17.5:1 | |
| Cylinder bore: | 102.0 mm (4.02 in) | |
| Piston stroke: | 120.0 mm (4.72 in) | |
| Number of piston rings (compression / oil): | 2/1 | |
| Number of main bearings: | 7 | |
| Cylinder bore inner diameter: | 102.116 mm (4.0203 in) | |
| Piston skirt diameter | 101.880-101.823 mm (4.011-4.0088 in) | |
| Piston ring end gap: | First | 0.400-0.700 mm (0.0157-0.0276 in) |
| Second | 0.250-0.550 mm (0.0098-0.0217 in) | |
| Oil | 0.250-0.550 mm (0.0098-0.0217 in) | |
| Piston pin outer diameter | 39.990 mm (1.5744 in) | |
| Connecting rod small end diameter (standard): | 40.042 mm (1.5765 in) | |
| Crankshaft main journal diameter: | 82.962 mm (3.2662 in) | |
| Crankpin diameter: | 68.962 mm (2.715 in) | |
Cylinder head |
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| Cylinder head alloy | Cast-iron |
| Valve Arrangement: | OHV, gear driven |
| Valves: | 12 (2 valves per cylinder) |
| Intake valve stem diameter: | 7.935-7.960 mm (0.3124-0.3134 in) |
| Exhaust valves stem diameter: | 7.935-7.960 mm (0.3124-0.3134 in) |
| Camshaft journal diameter (min): | 53.962 mm (2.1245 in) |
| Camshaft lobe diamete (intake)- min: | 47.040 mm (1.852 in) |
| Camshaft lobe diamete (exhaust) – min: | 46.770 mm (1.8413 in |
Cummins 6BT 12 Valve Engine Problems & Reliability
Excellent dependability and lifespan are ensured by the cast iron engine block and head.
There is a lack of modern conveniences such as television and computers. The 6BT is a basic diesel motor that relies on a mechanical pump and injectors.
It’s easy on the fuel, so to speak. In addition to their reputation for easy starting in any climate, 12-valve Cummins engines have another claim to fame: they have an excellent reputation for longevity.
The engine, however, does have a few issues. A blocked grid heater is one of them. installed in the space between the air intake tube and the manifold.
As time progresses, soot builds up on the heating element, obstructing airflow into the intake manifold and reducing efficiency.
This causes the engine to take longer to start, to die while idling or at low rpm, to use more gas, and to be inconvenient in general.
The “Killer Dowel Pin,” or KDP, is the other issue with 12-valve engines.
A bolt connecting the timing gear and the fuel pump gear is close to a steel dowel pin that has been driven into the engine block. This pin is easily pried out by engine vibration.
There’s a risk that the pin will fall into the engine and jam the timing gears (blend valves, brake pistons, and timing gears).
This catastrophic failure of the engine can be avoided, however, with the implementation of a few readily available and quite inexpensive fixes.
Cummins 6BT 12 Valve Engine Review
Cummins 6BT 12 valve engine The Cummins 6BT12 valve engine is one of the renowned engines that is known for its reliability, durability as well and performance potential. For a full review, please check this YouTube video Here.
Cummins 6BT 12 Valve Engine FAQ
Is the Cummins 6BT a good engine?
Numerous experts agree that the Cummins 12v/6BT is the finest and most dependable diesel engine ever made.
The system’s inherent simplicity makes it possible for extreme dependability and enormous power potential.
Is a 6BT the same as a 12 valve?
6BT Cummins 12V, 12 Valve Cummins, and 1st Generation Cummins are all names for this engine, which was produced from 1989 to 1993.
The engine has six bolts per cylinder and an inline design with a cast-iron block and cylinder head.
Is a 5.9 Cummins 12-valve a good engine?
The original 5.9-litre, 12-valve Cummins was an exceptionally dependable engine.
Thru: Engine Builders’ Journal There’s a good reason why the 12-valve Cummins is widely regarded as one of the finest and most dependable diesel engines for pickup trucks.
How much boost can a 6BT handle?
The 6BT is unfazed by the 60 psi of boost thanks to its six 12 mm-diameter head bolts per cylinder (or, more importantly, popping a head gasket).
The factory 6BT head bolts have been tested to withstand 100 psi of boost and have consistently withstood 80 psi in countless other instances.
