Detroit 6-V/92 Series

Aaron@LDS

Goin' Broke!
Vendor/Sponsor
Jan 19, 2013
95
0
0
Saint Johnsville, NY
Hi guys, I don't post much here, but I thought some of you would know about the Detroit 2 strokes. My Father just bought a 82 single axle dumptruck. (Ford L9000) It has this 92 Series 6V Detroit with a 9 speed transmission... I want to earn all I can about the truck as I will probably drive it more than He does.

He bought it to pull His 310 JD Backhoe. He also bought a 15ton Talbot trailer for it. Got the truck and trailer for $9,100, both in GREAT condition. Anyway I have a couple questions...

-What is a safe RPM to run at in High Gear? (55mph is screaming at 1500rpm, 60mph gets to 1800rpm) is that all I can do safely?

-These motors use oil... Is there a "fix" for this?

- Any special maintance or things I should know about common issues?

-Does anyone re-gear the rearend for Highway driving?

I don't mind going slower but I also don't know whats normal for these motors? What are they capable of? It seems like a pretty powerful truck so far... Supposedly the motor was refurbished 40k ago. Truck has 400k+ with no rust. Dumpbox was new in 2000! The truck was a tractor before converted to the Dumptruck.

Thanks Guys!
 

PACougar

Active member
Jun 27, 2012
2,105
1
36
41
El Dorado Hills, Ca
You must not post here much, this is a Duramax forum:) I'm sure you'll find some guys on here with real knowledge, have you looked for any forums that specialize in Detroit diesels?
 

Aaron@LDS

Goin' Broke!
Vendor/Sponsor
Jan 19, 2013
95
0
0
Saint Johnsville, NY
You must not post here much, this is a Duramax forum:) I'm sure you'll find some guys on here with real knowledge, have you looked for any forums that specialize in Detroit diesels?


I am here very often! And I frequent Duramax sites... But I also know that the experience of the guys here is far beyond Duramax's! So I knew I could find out some info from you guys.

And Ive searched for a forum on the Detroit Motor, but Ive only seen the BoatDiesel forum. Not very easy to figure that site out!
 

PACougar

Active member
Jun 27, 2012
2,105
1
36
41
El Dorado Hills, Ca
I am here very often! And I frequent Duramax sites... But I also know that the experience of the guys here is far beyond Duramax's! So I knew I could find out some info from you guys.

And Ive searched for a forum on the Detroit Motor, but Ive only seen the BoatDiesel forum. Not very easy to figure that site out!

I'm just messing with you, you're right this forum has the best people out there...PERIOD!
 

sawmilldmax

Active member
Apr 2, 2013
292
32
28
63
Mount Airy,NC
I drove my 8V92 governed at 2850 for years in my '79 Cabover Pete my dad bought new, and we still have it. You can put a 13 speed back box on your 9 and you'll still have your low hole and you'll have an overdrive. If you have one of the earlier 6v's, watch your oil because the weep hole for your water pump will put your coolant in your crankcase, as the later ones weeped outside. I'm thinking they were rated from 270 up to 335 hp, wind her up, it's a two stroke, you won't hurt it.
 

Combine Pilot

They Call Me Mike
Feb 7, 2010
647
0
16
44
Saskatchewan
We bought a Western Star truck with a 6V92 in it and our neighbour had one piece of advice for us. He said you have to drive it like you just slammed your fingers in the door and you are mad. I have to say he was right. :D
 
Last edited:

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,761
5,933
113
Phoenix Az
It's a 2 stroke, they sound like they are wound up tight but it's just cause they like it that way
 

snowman

Evil Diesel Performance
Aug 30, 2010
350
0
0
Manitoba Canada
All two strokes burn oil, it's the way they are. One major thing to watch for run away. The fuel lines run under the rocker covers and they tend to break. When a fuel line breaks or cracks fuel fills the crank case and it won't shut off, the rpm will keep climbing till it blows or till you snuff it out. I worked on them at work a bit and when I drove it I was shifting at 2200-2500 Rpm, thing lived it and only had power around there!
 

elliottw

Member
Jan 23, 2013
397
6
13
ND
I drove my 8V92 governed at 2850 for years in my '79 Cabover Pete my dad bought new, and we still have it. You can put a 13 speed back box on your 9 and you'll still have your low hole and you'll have an overdrive. If you have one of the earlier 6v's, watch your oil because the weep hole for your water pump will put your coolant in your crankcase, as the later ones weeped outside. I'm thinking they were rated from 270 up to 335 hp, wind her up, it's a two stroke, you won't hurt it.
Pics of said cabover?? I want to find one to restore and haul grain with. Search sucks haha
 

messejme

Jazzy, Me and Max
Mar 7, 2008
741
0
16
Branchburg NJ
they are made to scream. I have seen them in cranes they rev them up in the morning and run them screaming all day. they operate just fine at high RPM's.
 

duratothemax

<--- slippery roads
Aug 28, 2006
7,139
10
0
Wyoming
ok the reason they "scream" is because they are, obviously, a 2-cycle engine...so there are double the exhaust pulses per crankshaft revolution. Which, in effect, makes it "sound" like its running twice as fast as the typical 4-cycle engines that we are all used to hearing.

But in reality, they really arent revving any higher than a comparable 4-cycle diesel.

ben
 

chevyburnout1

Fixing it till it breaks
Aug 25, 2008
2,368
1
38
Berthoud, CO
I love harvest season out by my parents property. The neighboring farmer has a straight piped detroit grain truck. There is a decent hill behind my parents house and that truck has to go up it everyday. Hearing it rapped out through about 8 gears going up the hill makes it sound like it's going to blow by the house at 75mph....




Only to cruise by at like 35mph :roflmao: