Cummins: might it challenge Isuzu at a leadership position in the market?

Cummins is beloved by many guys who remember it as the Dodge Ram's engine, a maximum point of the Amerikano truck style, and also has some good market in Europe due to joint-ventures with Fiat S.p.A. to co-develop engines for Iveco medium-duty trucks and Case/FiatAllis tractors, and New Holland tractors too. But now, for the Asian markets, its joint-venture with Foton in China is a possibility to increase its regional market share. With the F-blocks, the 2.8L and 3.8L badged as ISF for vehicle applications, it covers a pretty wide power range for mid-power engines. Maybe only the sophistication of the electronic controls might still be a barrier to get it more widespread for other applications in the Philippines, altough there are already standalone QSF-series versions targeted primarily to stationary and industrial applications. The gear-driven valvetrain and OHV heads push for a compact layout, easy to fit into tighter engine bays, and weight-saving design features make it easy to use in a wide range of repowerings that other engines with suitable power ratings could be deemed a boat anchor. Isuzu is still well regarded in the Philippines, where almost every jeep is fitted with either a C240 or a 4JB1, but maybe in a short to mid time Cummins can challenge Isuzu. It might be time for Isuzu to bring the standalone versions of the 4JJ1-TC already available in the United States as a counter-challenge to Cummins.

Lunch time. With a George Foreman grill I collect the fat from the meats and can use it as a feedstock from homebrewed biodiesel. Animal fat-based biodiesel is usually thicker and with a higher energy content, with enhanced lube properties too, making it more suitable to the older engines.

It was a nice stay in South Africa, but it's time to go back to the Philippines. I might come back again, just not sure about when I'm gonna do it.

Big Cam, the engine, the legend

Today was a busy day, but working on a Cummins NTC350 is always a pleasure. It was mounted on a Ford Louisville bobtail with a 10-speed Eaton transmission. I'm not really skilled on how to shift gears in a big rig, but also maneuvered it in the lot. Had to replace its filters (air, oil and fuel) and to patch a leaky oil pan, which were the only items needing a major attention.