Engine changeover

[bob r]

I drove a 1418 benz for a while. my boss said they were
the only truck on the road I recond the only truck in the road.
bob

[John M]

Maybe my memory is playing me false!
I remember back in the sixties and early seventies the old 1418 carting cubic (Cubico) was one of the quicker rigs on the goat track, the old Benz was nominally 140 hp 18 ton (if I remember rightly but it might have been the other way round) and benefitted greatly if the all up weight was kept under the 18T. the 1418 was the original truck that was tuned (by adding petrol) until the flame was about 12" long, they like a lot of trucks of that era were originally designed around the 50 mph speed limit, and did not like hills, which is why it was better to leave the headlights off or cover them up, that way they couldn't see the hills coming.

The old Mack Smokey Six Mack motor coupled to the quad box in a B model, would pull JC off the cross, had to line it up with two trees to see whether it was moving or not, but it developed max torque at around 1100 rpm and loved to pull. I Have pulled three double decks of cattle with one of these all day, working for old Noel Buntine, he never wanted you to go fast just keep going. Nurse the stock and the truck but make miles.

I agree with what T1 said about lugging the Perkins, but it is my understanding that more were killed by over revving than lugging them, I was not recommending lugging the motor merely keeping the revs down at the top end.

[Kelvin12]

Old days here, I did some night work for Cubico at Tempe loading trucks in the early 70's.

Dirk

[Darryl]

Hey JohnM, what years did you work with Noel Buntine?

[John M]

Hey JohnM, what years did you work with Noel Buntine?

On and Off after the cyclone through to '79, a few stints on stock and a short time carting bitumen Darwin to Alice, before Noel had the big bust up with Shell.

[Pokey]

Around about now I'd expect Dot to step in with "mine's bigger than yours" !!! (ps. I saw it!!!)
Times do change ........ yes it was Perkins, then it was 1418 Mercedes, then it was 903 Cummins and so on it goes!
Pokey I'll quiz my man over the weekend & get back to you.

Bruce, did you get any feedback from your mechanic friend?

[BruceS]

Sorry to say not yet.
I've been out there twice but have found out he's been away.
It's the same chap who has that motor I photographed a while back.
I'll pop out & see if he's home now.
The alteration that he does also greatly reduces the black smoke output that the old Perkins produces & at times will result in being pulled over and chatted. Now days a lot of people dob in smokey cars & trucks.
I hadn't forgot you ..... honest!!

[BruceS]

Got him!
OK, in brief to achieve less smoke and about 20 more HP he changes the pistons to the "squish" ones.

sqPistons.jpg

Google "squish lip pistons" .......

Depending on your governor you may need to change that as well.
If yours is hydraulic he recommends to change to mechanical one.
Forgive me if I've got things wrong but I tried to remember everything!

[Pokey]

Bruce, I might be interested in that 6.354 with the improved pistons if he still has it. Can you check what he wants for it please or I can contact him direct if you prefer.

[BruceS]

The motor as it stands was (from memory) $800. (was a good runner when removed from vehicle)
Then he suggested that for 'about $1500 total' he could/would pull it down & do the alterations, give it a run for testing etc.
One thing he did say was that he'd need to find a starter motor for it to start it.
Pokey the problem is the distance factor.
It's going to cost a penny to get it up to you. (From the SE of SA... Kingston SE)