question about a 5 ton - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

beachbummer · 06-17-2011, 10:22

I have a lead on a nice 5 ton, x fire truck. The man at the city garage said it was rebuilt by the army 6 months before they got it. It is a 1986 with a Cummings engine. it has power steering, and heat. My question is whether or not it is a multi fuel engine, or can run on a mix of used tranny fluid, and gasoline. the truck is complete with new tires also. I am sure the stainless steel tank would bring some scrap money as well. the only problem is the truck needs to be stripped and re painted it is of course fire engine red. The mechanic said it runs very well but the batteries are dead. he said it is fun to drive, and has given them no problems since they bought it back in the 80s. he also said that they did not put 3000 miles on it since they bought it. I can pick it up for around 2 grand, I know thats a good deal, but I just want to know about the engine if I can run used tranny fluid, and gas mix in it.

buzzinhalfdozzen · 06-17-2011, 10:26

Some guys add a little used engine oil to their diesel but that's about it. The multi fuel motor will run on all the stuff you mentioned. The Cummins will not

KsM715 · 06-17-2011, 11:11

This needs to be mover to the 5ton forum.

kastein · 06-17-2011, 11:52

as stated above the multi will run on darn near anything except avgas and possibly ethanol. Keep it in the right viscosity range so the IP is happy and it will burn it.

The cummins won't though from what I hear (no personal experience.)

What M number is it? Sounds like an 800 or 900 series from the Cummins you listed.

Capt.Marion · 06-17-2011, 11:55

You're going to want to stick pretty close to 100% straight diesel. The only engine with multifuel capabilities is THE MULTIFUEL LDT-465 or LDS-465, which are the same engines with just a few differences. They are very clearly marked as MULTIFUELs on the data plates on the engine and on the Permissible Fuels data plate in the cab. Cummins and Caterpillar never made Multifuels.

The Cummins (no "g" in it) in your truck is likely either the 855 cu. in., naturally aspirated, 250 HP 6 cylinder NHC250, or the turbo charged 8.3 litre 6CTA 8.3 diesel. The 6CTA is much smaller than the NHC250, and is quite noticeable due to its turbocharger, which the NHC lacks.

If it's got a manual transmission, it's an M809-series 5 ton.

If it's got an auto transmission, it's a M939-series 5 ton.

Check out the 5-ton wiki: it's got loads of good info that will help you ID your truck.
5 Ton - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

KsM715 · 06-17-2011, 12:25

The NHC250 is 855 cubic inches

M813A1 · 06-17-2011, 12:58

Also the early M939 trucks were standard transmission before the M939A1 have the Automatic transmissions !! Another thing is that the Cummins engine will run on WMO, Trans, Hyd oils, Bio diesel if mixed with diesel !!

jasonjc · 06-17-2011, 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by M813A1

Also the early M939 trucks were standard transmission before the M939A1 have the Automatic transmissions !! Another thing is that the Cummins engine will run on WMO, Trans, Hyd oils, Bio diesel if mixed with diesel !!

All M939's came with an auto. If it has a standard some one put it in there after the military.

drgreg · 06-17-2011, 14:49

The Cummins NHC250 is a diesel engine. The cost for repairs is high and some parts may be hard to find.
The cost of engine damage probably would exceed any money saved on fuel, so I think diesel is the best option.

kennys@wi.rr.com · 06-17-2011, 14:57

For the most part a diesel engine will run on anything that burns. The main thing, as stated above, is the viscosity. If you try to run nothing but WMO you may have issues because it's too thick. The key is to filter it before trying to use it and thin it. When thining it DO NOT use gasoline. Gas will "dry" the moving parts of the IP and will cause damage. I would recomend either diesel or kerosene to thin.
As with any alternate fuel that is self produced, use at your own risk.