Detroit Diesel question

Hey guys, got an off the wall question here. I'm using a 4-53 power unit on the hay debailer contraption I've been working on for a customer. This thing is going to have a JD 9930, cotton picking combine cab, set up for as an operator's station. The customer want's it to be both heated and cooled. The heat and A/C unit is in the top of the cab so that part is no problem, and obviously all the heat part needs is two lines from the engine's cooling system. As it stands, for the A/C side, I have already scratch built a a new radiator shroud to let me mount the A/C coil in front of the radiator, as well as allow the customer to access and clean out around the radiator due to the dirty, dusty, debris filled operating conditions this thing will see in use.

That said all I've got left is to get the A/C compressor mounted. I know I can custom build a mount, and belt adjustment setup, but given the shear amount of other stuff I've got to do I'd much preffer to get something off the shelf, so to speak, if possible. As it stands I've got a power unit with the right side (facing the rear of the engine) aux drive pulley being used to power the alternator, so I need something to mount on the left side.

I know these engines were used in alot of equipment over the years, both civilian and military. Does anyone know where I might come up with an A/C compressor mount for one of the rotary piston type pumps ((haven't seen any kind of name or model number on it)) with a 4 bolt mount. Any tips or leads would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Wayne

They used these engines in C70 Chevy trucks in the late 70's and early 80's. Would be the rotary compressor you are looking for. But I think they drive off the front crank pulley, instead of the aux drives. Vic

The Gamma Goat used that engine. We tested it in 1964. Hal

You night have a problem with heater on that old engine . They didn't get hot enough to make heaters work very good I just about froze two winters driving one of the 6-71 / 238 HP ones even with the radior covered with a cover. the cylinders are air cooled and the heads are water cooled.

Call your nearest Detroit Diesel Distributor and ask for a senior guy in the parts department. I'm nearly sure it is obsolete but he should be able to give you a part number and hopefully direct you to a a salvage yard that has one. rthere should be lots and lots of these around.

If the above is not successful I know a Salvage yard in Terre Haute, IN that is very good but they focus on automotive parts. If you have the part number and description they should be able to help. They are hooked up on a nationwide network with other salvage yards. It is Hollyfield Salvage or Joe's Auto parts.

All the 53 and 71 series engines I ever saw were water cooled. They had a blower on them because they were 2 cycle.

The de-baler has a cast iron head, cast iron block 4-53. The Gamma Goat used a cast iron head, aluminum block 3-53.

There is one guy at our local dealer that is really good on the old two stroke stuff but there's no reason for me to call and bother him. Reason I say this is that I've got several Detroit parts manuals for the 53 series engines, including the two volume set that's about 4 inches thick. Unfortunately things like the A/C compressor and it's associated mounting brackets are not going to be Detroit parts, but rather are made by the vehicle mfg that the engine and A/C system would have been installed in.

I believe what he is talking about is that the liners on the inline 53 series engines have air flowing around a large part of their length instead of water. Too, since they utilize a port scavaging design where air is blown into and through the cylinder as it's being charged, a good amount of heat is carried away with air instead of water. As far as the heating is concerned these engines pack alot of ump in a small package and he's right, they don't always heat up as much as many other engines do in vehicle applications where air movement is achieved as much through the movement of the vehicle as it is through the fan.

In this case the power unit will be stationary and running at 1800 RPM with about 80% to 90% rated load on it full time. That being the case there should be no reason it won't heat up to a normal operating temp like it should do. As it is, running it the other day with no load, the water temp hovered around 140-160 degrees. Even at that, it ought to be enough to keep the operator warm during the winter months, so with it loaded and running about 20 degrees or so hotter, I dont forsee any problems.

(quoted from post at 05:56:00 04/26/12) The Gamma Goat used that engine. We tested it in 1964. Hal

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If I remember right the Goat had a 3-53 Detroit. And never had A/C.

(quoted from post at 07:48:17 04/26/12) You night have a problem with heater on that old engine . They didn't get hot enough to make heaters work very good I just about froze two winters driving one of the 6-71 / 238 HP ones even with the radior covered with a cover. the cylinders are air cooled and the heads are water cooled.

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All of the 2 cycle DD's are water cooled, block and head.

Wayne on RR equipment we use a small acc drive mounted hyd gear pump to spin a small hyd motor that in turn spins the compressor on all our DD's. Very simple and trouble free. I wont be back to work till mon but if u want i can dig up the sunsource part numbers for you. Shoot me a email if u think this might help you. [email protected]