Farm Equipment - 555 Cummins good bad and the ugly questions

Print Page | Close Window

555 Cummins good bad and the ugly questions

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=54830
Printed Date: 24 Aug 2025 at 3:39pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: 555 Cummins good bad and the ugly questions

Posted By: DougG
Subject: 555 Cummins good bad and the ugly questions
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2012 at 12:01pm

Ive found an old Dodge c800 single axle semi that has a 555 Cummins in it, i kno the 440 AC had them, are they ok? The trucks in good shape id just use it for tractor shows, pulls etc, no cross country trucking!

Replies:

Posted By: Calvin Schmidt
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2012 at 3:43pm

The 555 and the 903's were not Cummin's proudest acheivements. I don't have any personal experience except for driving a Kenworth one day with a 903. It would likely do good in your application and the truck itself would be a classic.

-------------
Nothing is impossible if it is properly financed

Posted By: DMiller
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2012 at 4:57pm

The triple nickel was short on longevity and a whole lot of woe when it came to repairs. Few mechanics would work on the quirky engines, they rattled alot and were the envy of Detroit Diesel for oil leaking. The 903 was more commonly called the 90nothing or the 900 cubic inch with three working cylinders.

Parts are becoming scarce as the engine company has not made either in some twenty years and few were actually built, thank goodness.

Me, I hated dealing with either as most times they were in a short nose with the back two cylinders under the cowl or in a cabover with a shift tower on one side in the way and the engines tucked so far in to give you claustraphobia.

Posted By: DaveCinIN
Date Posted: 06 Aug 2012 at 8:39pm

I don't have experience with the 555 in a truck but we have one driving a fire pump at work. Only repair in 20+ years was a head gasket replacement, but it only runs 1 hour a week unless we are testing fire systems or there is a fire.

Posted By: stolfarms
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2012 at 12:01am

my dad has a 903 that he baught new back in 73 ish an we still run it today the 555 was just a wet dream though id say