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After reading this thread I thought I would throw in a warning.
If you find a really good deal on a 4BT, but it doesn't have the EPA sticker and the engine decal with the serial number and CPL attached to it, the seller might be hiding something. The EPA sticker tells you if the engine is approved for automotive use. This is important because stationery and marine versions of the 4BT are not designed for automotive applications. Without the engine serial number or CPL it can (will) be difficult to order parts for the engine.
I have seen several cases of 4BTs being sold on eBay and other places where the sellers have tried to pass off industrial and marine engines as automotive, even while posting pictures of the EPA (non automotive use) and engine tags. We recently found what we thought was a great deal on a 1996 4BTA (it was being sold with the aftercooler parts), but the seller refused to provide a picture of the tags, but said he could go to the salvage yard and "get a set" for it since we were so concerned about it. The engine might have been legit, but the seller couldn't prove it. We dropped that deal like a hot potato.
Be careful!
Linda
Here's a little more information
If you find a really good deal on a 4BT, but it doesn't have the EPA sticker and the engine decal with the serial number and CPL attached to it, the seller might be hiding something. The EPA sticker tells you if the engine is approved for automotive use. This is important because stationery and marine versions of the 4BT are not designed for automotive applications. Without the engine serial number or CPL it can (will) be difficult to order parts for the engine.
I have seen several cases of 4BTs being sold on eBay and other places where the sellers have tried to pass off industrial and marine engines as automotive, even while posting pictures of the EPA (non automotive use) and engine tags. We recently found what we thought was a great deal on a 1996 4BTA (it was being sold with the aftercooler parts), but the seller refused to provide a picture of the tags, but said he could go to the salvage yard and "get a set" for it since we were so concerned about it. The engine might have been legit, but the seller couldn't prove it. We dropped that deal like a hot potato.
Be careful!
Linda
Here's a little more information
This is a description of the difference between an on-road Diesel and stationary Diesel engine as in a generator. The on-road is designed to run at variable speeds while the stationary engine is designed to run at a fixed rpm. Here's how and why:
original post by flyin71h:
"The primary difference between an on road and off road engine is the function of the governer. The on road engine has what is sometimes referred to as a speed governer, which does exactly what the name implies. It limits the maximum rpm of the engine and nothing else. Actual engine speed (below max) is controlled by the throttle linkage on the injection pump. If the load on the engine increases, rpm will decrease unless the throttle is opened further by some outside influence. In the case of a truck engine, that influence would be the driver's foot. The off road engine has a load governer. It's purpose is to keep the engine at a specified rpm regardless of load. As load increases or decreases, the governer proportionally increases or decreases fuel delivery to maintain the same rpm without any movement of the throttle. What this means is, when your truck with the off road engine in it encounters a hill, it is going to try to go faster all by itself. I'm not saying it won't work, but it will be very "different" to drive, and could potentially be dangerous under certain circumstances.
original"
original post by BOB SOVA:
"I agree with you and could not have said it better. You have perfectly described a "industrial stationary engine" in a power unit such as a pump or generator. They are designed to run at a fixed speed to prevent cavitations in the pump or to maintain the hertz frequency in a generator. There are however some non-stationary off road diesel engines that could possibly be adapted to function in vehicles. These would be found in wheeled and tracked tractors. These engines are designed to be run at variable throttle position speeds and the governor is designed to increase and maintain the engine speed only as far as the throttle is positioned. The major difficulty in using one of these engines would be emission certification requirements that our duly elected officials have established for our own protection."
All I can add is choose your engines wisely and look for the EPA approved tag.
original post by flyin71h:
"The primary difference between an on road and off road engine is the function of the governer. The on road engine has what is sometimes referred to as a speed governer, which does exactly what the name implies. It limits the maximum rpm of the engine and nothing else. Actual engine speed (below max) is controlled by the throttle linkage on the injection pump. If the load on the engine increases, rpm will decrease unless the throttle is opened further by some outside influence. In the case of a truck engine, that influence would be the driver's foot. The off road engine has a load governer. It's purpose is to keep the engine at a specified rpm regardless of load. As load increases or decreases, the governer proportionally increases or decreases fuel delivery to maintain the same rpm without any movement of the throttle. What this means is, when your truck with the off road engine in it encounters a hill, it is going to try to go faster all by itself. I'm not saying it won't work, but it will be very "different" to drive, and could potentially be dangerous under certain circumstances.
original"
original post by BOB SOVA:
"I agree with you and could not have said it better. You have perfectly described a "industrial stationary engine" in a power unit such as a pump or generator. They are designed to run at a fixed speed to prevent cavitations in the pump or to maintain the hertz frequency in a generator. There are however some non-stationary off road diesel engines that could possibly be adapted to function in vehicles. These would be found in wheeled and tracked tractors. These engines are designed to be run at variable throttle position speeds and the governor is designed to increase and maintain the engine speed only as far as the throttle is positioned. The major difficulty in using one of these engines would be emission certification requirements that our duly elected officials have established for our own protection."
All I can add is choose your engines wisely and look for the EPA approved tag.
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