Engine rotation

[Bob Gil]

What is the easiet way to tell whitch driction you engine is turning?

I don't know too much about DD.

Mine is mounted between the frame rails with the tranmission mounted to the rear of the engine looking from the rear of the buss.  Then has a short drive shaft to the back side of the rear axle.  Hinda like a truck but back wards.

Just wondering what I have.

[JackConrad]

You have a right hand rotation engine, same as used in trucks. Left hand drive engines are used in GM buses that have the engine sitting cross-wise in the engine compartment.  Jack

[chazwood]

Ummm. ......never mind.

[TomC]

Most inline engines-the ones that run fore to aft like a rear wheel drive car (of which are not too many left) are what is called a right hand rotation engine (or clockwise rotation as you face the front of the engine [the flywheel is the back of the engine]).  This comes from the days that the cars were hand cranked.  And since the vast majority of us are right handed, the auto makers made the engines turn clockwise so we could use our right hand to crank up the car.  Now I'd like to see that happen with a bus-or better yet I'd like to see someone strong enough to hand crank the engine!  Good Luck, TomC

[jackhartjr]

Bob, when I got mine, (8V71) one of the first things I did was to get the manuals for it.  I got them off ebay for not much $$$.
It told me where to look for the model number when once I got that I looked up the various codes in the book... which also told me th erotation.
If you don't have a manual...please get one, you will be glad you did.
Jack

[H3Jim]

I guess, but I think I could pull on a crank with my right hand no matter which direction the engine turned in.   

I do remember that it was important to pull up on the crank, not push down.  That was in case the engine backfired, it would just pull the handle out of your grip instead of breaking your elbow.  Important thing to know.

[Bob Gil]

Thanks that is what I was thinking.

i have a freind that has a 318 in a cab over Astro that he said he might let me have cheap.  Whole truck $500.00.  I was just wondering if that would be an inprovement over the 6V53.  I will have to see if it will be too much for the 6 sp Allison.

Just dreaming but an't that what we do all the time?

[Dallas]

Bob, there are a few differences in you 6V53 and a 8V71....

6V-53 216HP@2800Rpm, L39" W40" H37", weight: 1485 Lbs.
   
8V-71 318HP@2100Rpm, L47" W39" H51", weight: 2310 Lbs.
   
It's not an easy swap if you have space limitations. If you have one of the older AT or MT series Allisons, you may also have problems not only finding a flex plate and bell housing, but also handling the torque of the engine.

You may also want to look at the difference between Max RPM on both engines, you are gonna slow way down on max road speed with the 8V71. While an 8V71 doesn't mind 2450 RPM too much, sustained 2800 RPM is a good way to shorten it's life span severely.

Good Luck!

Dallas

[Bob Gil]

I was thinking that those things might come into play and mean changing rear end and more.

I guess I better just keep dreaming.

Thanks Dallas

I will look on E-bay and see if I can find a manual for the 6V53 for now.

[TomC]

Bob- if you're going to do an engine swap, I'd highly recommend you just plainly get away from the Detroit 2 strokes.  An excellent engine would be the Cummins ISL with Allison 6 spd.  You can find these in both buses and trash trucks.  M11/ISM would also be good.  Good Luck, TomC