rebuilding a detroit diesel 453

Rebuilding a 453 Detroit diesel out of a wheel loader. It is kind of a long video (10 minutes). I start it up near the end. Thanks for watching...

[@clarencetrice4442]

the cylinder sleeves have a good cross pattern in them the piston rings should seat good and have good power that is 1 of the better cross patterns IVE seen in a engine cylinder sleeve 😊😊 OMG 5 23 2O24

[@wdc283]

Thanks for posting this. I am going to tear into one shortly. The last one I did was a 3-53 twenty-five years ago, this is a nice refresher.

[@ebbonemint]

Very cool to see these antique engines get another life instead of being crushed, melted down and lost forever.

[@-Tme]

Cool, video. Thanks for putting it together for everyone to see what all goes into these old detroits.

[@easchit]

This give me a great insight into how these engines work. Thanks!

[@gregcrabb3497]

Nothing more satisfying than that first start!

[@travishanson166]

Best sounding startup I have heard yet.

[@rytvdinners5064]

I was amazed when i learned the dump truck my dad drove had a 318 cubic inch engine (6v53) and yours running a loader with 212 cubes is amazing...but all good things by gm must be discontinued...

[@mcozpda3392]

I think the old engines with the new technology in materials .. are more perfect than the time of that engines ... and the time of you video was short in a good video .. great video and i withing the ft pound in caps and rods ... cheers ..

[@JordyF.]

Great video. Nice work.

[@captlarry-3525]

nice to see the special tool used to install the cam bearings.being a 4 stroke guy. I really have to think about how these things work !

[@eloysanchez3653]

Great video. Great work👏👏

[@zulianto7570]

Great video,,thanks

[@wildcoyote34]

the long video showing how you assemble it is very much worth it when you start it in the end ,,I love 2 stroke detroit sound,, I have several of my own as well I've been working on collecting a few before they all disappear I work on a farm and own several large tractors which have been converted to detroit power ,,I do a lot of custom plowing , and chiseling and the extra power helps a lot I also have a 1978 1 ton chevy truck which has a 6V-71T and 10 speed road-ranger the factory 454 didn't have enough nuts for me ,,and it gets 17MPG when not pulling

[@dykemamechanical]

I would like to see your one ton!!!

[@wildcoyote34]

Rob D outwardly it looks just like any other truck ,,it isn't fancy or jacked up , in fact kinda plain looking , could use some paint and bodywork ,basically just a farm truck ,, i use it for pulling wagons and my 35ft camper

[@dykemamechanical]

+wildcoyote34 that is pretty cool. there are a couple of 353 engines set up with bell housings for automotive a a auction coming up. would make a great project.

[@wildcoyote34]

Rob D a 353 would be a good motor for a smaller truck ,, would make a rat rod project sound really cool too ,,all the motors i've gotten were rescues from the junkyard ,, or saved out of scrapped equipment ,,My 6V-71 came out of a bus ,and the trans from an old grain truck I just had to make it fit and it does barely,,only real mods to the truck involved cutting the inner fenders and making motor mounts ,,and i had to upgrade the coil springs/shocks in the front to accept the extra weight

[@madtownmadman]

Holy hell. You shoehorned a 6v71 into a 1-ton truck?! What did that entail?

[@lewiemcneely9143]

Good job Rob. A-PLUS!

[@robertgardner8680]

Done all this many times miss rebuilding these but not the company I worked for.

[@craigkopcho7394]

The latst Detroit generator I had was a 12V71. It was the most reliable generator we had. I was sorry to see it replaced with a newer unit because the John Deere is no Detroit.

[@ivannovoselac3518]

Im so love 2t detroit, so sad cuz there in my country we dont have it.

[@rolandomendez5650]

Ola mundo hoy he visto el video me gusto mucho tecniico bien explicito todos los pados fantasticop. A mi punto de vista este es el que mas trabajo tiene y todos en el orden correcto muy bueno muchas gracias.

[@captlarry-3525]

this is the later 4 valve per cylinder.. pretty damn neat ..and pretty quiet for a diesel.

[@greasysteve5671]

4 exhaust valves lol

[@chaytonruijsenaars3971]

well great video, hope he warmed it up before revving it but even if he didnt he can just rebuild it again way later down the road, and from now on any time i see them two flywheels at the top on the end of the dual cams ill know instantly its a detroit 453 T, there may be other engines like it with that configuration but this one model has a distinct look ill never forget

[@dykemamechanical]

you don't warm up detroits much. 5 minutes no load max. she still runs like a top... feeds cows every day!

[@ponga782]

Awesome!

[@blainesgarage5156]

I have both parts I ordered them as a set just wasn't sure if they had to be timed

[@hudsonhawk0016]

I plan on putting one in my 84 K30. A good runner is expensive though.

[@greasysteve5671]

But they're dead simple to rebuild so if you find a fixer upper, chances are you could rebuild it.

[@blainesgarage5156]

Which part connects to the flywheel

[@josecorujo4148]

just ran into this video because i have one in my boat and looks like its going to need to get rebuild because there's oil coming out my exhaust i wish i I could borrow your brain for one day lol great video.

[@dykemamechanical]

pull the intake off of the blower and look for oil in there. It could just be blower seals.

[@josecorujo4148]

Rob D ok ill be taking that next step tomorrow morning i didnt know intell now from you thanks a million. i hope its just that not new rings .

[@josecorujo4148]

and almost forgot to say i have very little oil pressure its at 20 not good

[@dykemamechanical]

at what rpm?

[@josecorujo4148]

im not sure just from in sitting there in idling.

[@blainesgarage5156]

Hey can you help me with a guide to install the injection pump. Does it get timed etc. any information would be greatly appreciated.

[@dykemamechanical]

there is no injection pump. fuel supply pump does not time. It is a small gear pump...very simple. Injection pressure is created within the injector. Hope that helps....

[@jlo13800]

Are you going to run tuned piped and a boondocker turbo? This 2 stroke would be great in small rail car.

[@dykemamechanical]

no. this is a loader engine, sorry

[@matthewpalmerchuck3135]

Can you install the blower on either side of the block?

[@dykemamechanical]

well.... yes..and no. the engine can be built with it on either side. but it involves a lot of changes to the gearing, cooling & fuel control system....

[@westleylooker8377]

I was curious as to where i could buy one of these??? I want a factory Turbo model for a 79 F250 build. When i was in school on my path to become a diesel tech we did a lot of work on the 855 Cummins and ISX engines, a few cat engines, and some detroits. My favorite of them was the Detroit 2-Strokes. I saw a video not to long ago of a guy with a 10 speed Roadranger and I really want to use it in my build. It sounds legit, has the power i want, and probably gets better MPG then a 460 V8 gas motor.

[@dykemamechanical]

just start searching the web. there is a non turbo on Craigslist in boise.

[@westleylooker8377]

Ok, i might just have to buy a non-turbo and put one on, seems there obsolete with a factory turbo

[@christiangayvallet3806]

bonjour ou est que je peux trouver une documentation du 453 ? Merci

[@mikecubes1642]

good job, they are a hot little engine. is it left hand rotation? i have one with the blower on the other side what oil do you run in it?

[@dykemamechanical]

40wt straight grade oil a must for these if you want them to live ... this little guy has run everyday for the last 4 years to feed cows. Still going strong...

[@mikecubes1642]

@@dykemamechanical thats what i run too, i used to get straight 50 but it costs too much now so it gets straight 40. when i used to run it in the winter i would use 15w-40. mine is in a 1900 oliver and i think its the original engine because it still had GM injectors in it a few years ago when i had to replace them. most people never took care of detroits and thats why they didnt last.

[@blainesgarage5156]

Yes does it have to be timed or can I just bolt it straight up

[@dykemamechanical]

no timing.. bolts on.

[@KStewart-th4sk]

Curious-why did you start it without the valve cover on? Sounds nice though.

[@dykemamechanical]

For safety reasons. There are a lot of fuel lines under the valve cover and the engine speed can be controlled safer from the rack.

[@TriniRogue]

Now here is a question, if you ported the intake ports on the liners and added a bigger injector would you see some power gains? on both turbo and n/a versions

[@dykemamechanical]

+TriniRogue I have never seen anyone work on the ports. I don't think you would gain much there. More air, with bigger turbo and a blower bypass, air to air maybe, and bigger injectors and you could melt the pistons right out of it....

[@TriniRogue]

+Rob D Yea you have a point there for sure, suppose no one has ever built a detroit with forged internals either huh? also whats the most hp have you seen a 453T put out?

[@dykemamechanical]

check this out kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6C1fHajgJ5sZ7c

[@madtownmadman]

Detroits have a forged crank and rods from the factory. I don't know for sure about the pistons, but they probably are too.

[@dsdave07]

@@madtownmadman The pistons are cast nodular iron, tin plated for oil retention.

[@rdavit]

Outstanding video! I rebuilt the same engine in 2015 (for a Galion 150a).....was a ton of fun (read the entire manual to understand 2 stroke diesels). I had a head crack pinned, didn’t hold....bought a rebuilt head from Leid Diesel (these guys are go to Detroit Diesel anything)....and ran into a problem with the rubber head gasket. I believe I “rolled” it when bolting the head on......spitting oil just above the blower (same engine as yours). The block had been decked and the gasket grove is now shallow to the point that the gasket pops out when attempting to seat. I’ve warmed the gasket up with hot water....still not enough to keep it in the grove. I need to pull the head again to do this..any advice much appreciated (considered using super glue.....I’m that desperate).

[@dykemamechanical]

yes that can be a problem. I ran into the same thing on a 71 series a number of years back. Super glue may just work...if you can get everything dry enough for it to stick. I used 3M adhesive on the block and the rubber gasket... whatever it take to keep it in the groove. I would worry about liner height too if the block was decked...

[@rdavit]

Rob D Pulled the head over the weekend, used super glue on the gasket at the corners and 1/2 way down each side....worked like a charm! Set the valves at .026 gap, 1.460 on injector height (was quick ...3rd time doing this....had a rebuilt head that went bad after my 1st rebuild). Set the rack....started right up. Thanks again!

[@dykemamechanical]

awesome! @@rdavit

[@GreatLakesLogger]

That's interesting as I have been to Leid Diesel. I hear their is a aftermarket electronic injection system out there for these, anybody know anything about it?

[@brianwhittier9077]

I'm just rebuilding a 4-53 for the first time. Got the unit running and I'm having governor/ throttle issues. Wont rev up, running rough, if I hold the shut down arm it will idle smooth. Any advice?

[@dykemamechanical]

How did you run the rack? By the book?

[@brianwhittier9077]

@@dykemamechanical I dont have a book to go by

[@dykemamechanical]

@@brianwhittier9077 You can find them on the net... look around. It has to be done step by step... don't skip any steps...!

[@brianwhittier9077]

@@dykemamechanical I think I have my injector height off

[@dykemamechanical]

@@brianwhittier9077 More likely you have the govenor and rack set wrong. More important than injector height but both important. Find a book.....

[@jaggass]

Are the parts from Detroit Diesel or locally made?

[@dykemamechanical]

I used after market parts for this rebuild. I bought them from asc wherehouse. you can look them up...

[@josecorujo4148]

and how long did it take you on that great rebuild

[@dykemamechanical]

I don't remember. This engine was pulled from the machine by another mechanic, and I put it back in making the project longer than we liked. But if you are doing one figure a couple of weeks of down time. The parts take time to get there, machine work, etc...

[@mackenziechristensen604]

Hey Rob. I have an older Clark loader with a 453 Detroit. The end of last winter it shut off on me while moving snow and would start again as it seemed seized bit after a day I tried it again and it started back up. And now you can only use it for about 5 mins until it does the same thing. The temp gauge just starts to get to operating temperature when it dies and the oil pressure seems to be fine aswell. I was wondering if you've ever experienced anything like this. Thank you

[@dykemamechanical]

not enough info.... it won't crank after it stops? does it smoke white when running?

[@mackenziechristensen604]

@@dykemamechanical it runs for about 5 mins and you can here the motor start to work harder as if it's under load. Then it will slowly overload itself enough that it will shut off. Once you try to start if after it shuts off it will hardly crank as if it seized. But if you leave it for an hour or two it will start right up and do the same thing all over again. It does smoke white when I first start it does smoke white for 30 seconds or so until it clears up.

[@mackenziechristensen604]

Also seems to be no blow by

[@dykemamechanical]

@@mackenziechristensen604 better pull a sample out of engine oil... that sounds like a main bearing problem.

[@dykemamechanical]

@@mackenziechristensen604 It could also be in the loader hydraulic system....

[@theq4602]

Why are the piston so large? Why does it have two sets of piston rings?

[@dykemamechanical]

Because of the intake ports in the liner/ cylinder wall. The lower rings are to contain the crankcase oil. If they were not there the oil from the crankcase would flow into the intake ports, and the engine would burn oil. A 2 stroke bike engine doesn't have these rings because the don't have crankcase oil, instead have premix oil in the gas... how that helps!

[@bobnickels]

Hey Rob would you be interested in rebuilding 2 8V71's from my boat?

[@bobnickels]

Feel free to contact me at 443-838-8726.

[@3cl1]

Are the 4-53 supercharged/turbocharged?

[@dykemamechanical]

+3cl1 two stroke Detroits require a supercharger to run. Adding a turbo will give more air, so you can add more fuel = more power. There was a factory 4-53 turbo engine, it still had a blower/supercharger.

[@ryanozbun7314]

looks like an engine out of a 55b clark?

[@dykemamechanical]

yes it is!

[@samfusco8158]

Why is it painted Cat Yellow and not Alpine Green?

[@dykemamechanical]

Industrial wheel loaders are yellow in USA

[@GMC6523]

I would put that engine in a 1995 Jeep Wrangler

[@captlarry-3525]

and how will you keep the rear wheels on the ground and your front axle in one piece ?.. that thing is heavy !

[@MrZuk23]

Hey i want to get my 453 rebuild do you still rebuild them

[@dykemamechanical]

Only for my local customers sorry

[@fiberrabit8229]

Where did you work on this at? What shop?

[@dykemamechanical]

my own shop

[@fiberrabit8229]

@@dykemamechanical awesome! If you don't mind me asking, is this just for fun or is it for income? I'm wanting to start my own shop and just looking for advice

[@dykemamechanical]

@@fiberrabit8229 I went to diesel school in 1978, and have been a mechanic ever since. I started my own repair business many years ago. But you will make more money working at a dealership.

[@akfarmboy49]

i'll be rebuilding mine next spring, what special tools did you need? I'll rebuild blower,

[@dykemamechanical]

no special tools needed for the basic rebuild. You will need tune-up tools, and seal drivers for the blower seals. (you can make them)

[@akfarmboy49]

@@dykemamechanical do 4-53's have cylinder head cracking issues? no problem with me making tools, did you need 2 pullers on blowers gears? mine is in my old loader and I need to do TT2421 transmission also Have you been in one of those?

[@dykemamechanical]

@@akfarmboy49 yes you need two pullers. Heads will break if overheated on all two stroke detroits.

[@akfarmboy49]

@@dykemamechanical i never cooked mine. unless yahoo's before me did.

[@stephenhunter70]

Why did you paint it yellow?

[@dykemamechanical]

because the loader it goes in is yellow.....

[@stephenhunter70]

Fair enough!

[@ryanozbun8933]

this in a clarrk 55b?

[@dykemamechanical]

+Ryan ozbun It Is!!!!!!

[@dykemamechanical]

+Ryan ozbun I just checked in on it yesterday. Still dry, runs like a champ!

[@ryanozbun7314]

Yeah i thought it was because the way the motor is arranged. I inframed mine and converted it to a turboed engine. 17.5 to 1 turbo trunks and a bigger oil cooler, n70 injectors runs like a raped ape. got any vids of the loader?

[@dykemamechanical]

I don't have any loader vids,sorry. I can snap a picture when I am out there again if you want...

[@ryanozbun7314]

that would be cool

[@captlarry-3525]

Hell of an interesting engine...I love to hate GM cars.. but they sure did some interesting engineering on their 2 stroke diesels. Clearly high quality throughout. Parts are cheap.. but alas emissions not what the world wants. but viable 80 years after it was designed.. not many engines are... VW's and Aircraft radial engines.. some flat heads.

[@dykemamechanical]

Happy you enjoyed it. This engine has been used everyday since it was rebuilt feeding cow. in a loader. They can take a lot of abuse and keep on taking... I mean making noise...!

[@dsdave07]

I forget the year, but the 2-stroke Diesel was first developed by Alexander Winton. The Winton interests were purchased by GM prior to 1938, and the first GM product became the Cleveland Diesel. It powered early Diesel locomotives, and Detroit Diesel was a scaled-down version of the Cleveland. Cleveland Diesel was Electromotive Division later on. 3,000 HP engines driving DC generators.

[@JimBronson]

a Cat yellow 4-53?

[@dykemamechanical]

industrial equipment is yellow

[@marlborodemoura1377]

Qantoz hp?

[@dykemamechanical]

80 ish...

[@johnb4183]

A yellow Detroit??

[@dykemamechanical]

industrial...

[@blainesgarage5156]

At 7:59 in your video it's on the right

[@vmoore3263]

Why yellow?????

[@dykemamechanical]

to match the machine it goes into.....

[@dykemamechanical]

to match the machine it goes into.....

[@earlgateman3755]

White grease is not the best for assembly lube, it can form plugs in the oil holes that don't immediately dissolve on start up. Engine oil is the best. I`ve been a truck tech for 40yrs. Was told this at different engine courses and it makes sense.

[@dykemamechanical]

Lubeplate 105 is what I have used for 40 years, and was instructed to use it in diesel school. I won't be changing my ways, sorry. It turns to oil instantly. There may be other brands that cause issues..... the only thing I have seen plug a pump screen is silicone sealer. They should throw that stuff away....

[@dsdave07]

@@dykemamechanical That's right. I was a Detroit Diesel Product Service school instructor starting in 1960. Lubriplate is the right assembly lube. DD recommends against blue silicone too.

[@leopoldoramirez7861]

Esa no es ninguna Respuesta d la calibracion c esplica en una buelta c calibra el numero 1 y el inyector no entiendo

[@rayneal1469]

No volume

[@richardroda4882]

I would never use lithium grease to lube the crank and bearings, especially not that much!Grease like this can clog oil ports until washed away by warmed up oil.

[@dykemamechanical]

Over 40 years as a tech... been using luberaplate 105 every day, thousands of engines rebuilt. Never a problem.... don't think I will be changing.

[@sneezabonk]

Engine Starts at 8:33

[@jeffparris8387]

Checking liner height on a 53 is pretty much a waste of time. There aren't shims like in a 71 or 92. You just slip liners in and let them ride...........

[@jeffparris8387]

Jeff Parris And you're installing cam bearings with a cam bearing REMOVAL tool..........

[@jeffparris8387]

Jeff Parris But can't much fault a man with those yellow handled Snap On screwdrivers. I have that very same set myself.

[@dykemamechanical]

Jeff Parris and installer...made by snap-on

[@dykemamechanical]

Jeff Parris always best to check. I have had problems before.

[@OnlyTheEd]

+Jeff Parris Yellow handled tools for a yellow painted engine?

[@blainesgarage5156]

It attaches thru a hole onto the flywheel correct?

[@dykemamechanical]

the fuel pump?

[@dykemamechanical]

fuel pump is at 8:03 in video. Bolts onto governor assembly