Improvements and differences in the "new" (in late 1984)

Silver 53 engines.

The Silver 53 engines are essentially the updated turbo 53 engines.

Sliver 3-53T, 4-53T, and 6V53T engines were available.

The below info is quoted pretty much word for word from three different sources:
 Silver 53 sales brochure dated 10-84;
 Detroit Diesel Allison Service topics, 44th year number 4, (October-December
1984);
 53 series service manual dated 1990;
The Silver 53’s are among the most durable, fuel efficient and quiet engines in their
class. We call them Silver 53’s because they represent a new level of performance,
reliability and uncompromised quality. A new Silver paint job now identifies these
advanced engines.

All changes were aimed at accomplishing one or more of the following objectives
(performance criteria):
1. Reduce fuel consumption below any other engines in their class.
2. Reduce noise levels below any other engines.
3. Extend durability and reliability well beyond present levels (set the industry
standard).
4. Increase the horsepower output of each model and provide more power/rpm
flexibility.

These objectives were met by intensive research in the following areas:

1. Air induction system:

 Blower bypass valve and passage, reduces pumping losses and provides a
savings of up to 7HP. The system is essentially a spring-loaded bypass valve
 in the blower end plate which opens at a set airbox pressure level determined
by the installed spring load.
 At suitable engine speed and load, the valve opens, allowing air box pressure
to equalize with blower inlet pressure. This reduces the air pumping load on the
blower and, therefore, the amount of horsepower required to turn the blower.
The valve permits a portion of the total air flow to either recirculate through or
bypass the blower, the valve optimizes thermal efficiency through improved air-
fuel ratio control. Note, a new or modified air inlet housing is needed to fit around
the bypass valve.
 At 10" Hg (4.9 psi) air box pressure the bypass valve begins to open.
 And is fully open at 13" Hg (6.48 psi) air box pressure.
 Turbocharger, The silver 53 engines feature a new more efficient high-efficiency
turbocharger that more closely meets the air delivery requirements of the
specific engine and its application. This improvement aids combustion
efficiency, fuel economy and response.

2. Combustion efficiency:

 Air enters the cylinders through liner ports. The height and shape of these ports
have been modified (short ports, 0.74" high) for optimum air inlet timing and
maximum air swirl in the combustion chamber for improved fuel economy and
reduced exhaust emissions.
 The latest technology in camshaft lobe profiling and lift timing has been
incorporated into the Silver 53’s.
 New injectors featuring modified plunger and bushing timing and spray tips.

3. Noise reduction:

 Crosshead pistons reduce piston “slap.”

 Aluminum rocker covers do not radiate engine noise a much as the earlier
stamped rocker covers. The new Rocker covers are held to the head by two
hold-down bolts backed by vibration absorbing silicone rubber isolators for
 additional noise dampening. Thick T-section silicone rubber cover gaskets
further reduce noise levels while also improving cover-to-head sealing.
 Modified upper front cover (the one behind the cam and balance shaft pulleys)
with strategically placed stiffening ribs cast into their inside walls making them
less prone to vibration.
 Camshaft and balance shaft pulleys, redesigned to radiate less engine noise.
 Addition of a crankshaft tuner for the Silver 4-53T (harmonic balancer) reduces
noise by dampening crankshaft torsional vibration.
 All this helps to reduce noise levels by up to 3 dB(A) on the 3-53T and 6V53T
engines and by up to 5.5 dB(A) on the 4-53T. Such reductions make the Silver
53’s extremely quiet.

4. Reliability and durability improvements:

 Crosshead pistons: The use of crosshead pistons in all Silver 53 engines is a

key durability improvement. This patented design features separate crown and
skirt components that work independently of each other: the crown absorbs
combustion forces while the skirt absorbs thrust loads. Crosshead pistons
extend ring life and reduce cylinder bore wear.
 Piston rings: New, longer-wearing compression rings feature barrel-faced
grooveless compression rings with hard molybdenum coating replacing the
conventional chrome rings. This new design extends ring life by up to 40%. The
new rings reduce friction, thereby helping to improve fuel economy. Reduced oil
consumption is an additional benefit. A new 26% wider firering is also used for
longer cylinder life.
 New blower drive system: With a carbo-nitride hardened blower driveshaft and
steel blower drive cam have been shown to reduce wear in this area by 60%.
 Modified blower gasket:
 Rear crankshaft seal: A new Teflon seal is more heat and wear resistant than
our previous seal. Improves durability and should eliminate the need to ever
have to replace the seal prior to overhaul.
 Hardened gear train: To eliminate the potential for gear tooth pitting and reduce
gear tooth fatigue on 3-53 turbocharged (only 3-53T) engines (both silver and
 non silver), the drive gears of the bypass blower assembly are made from a
special high strength steel allow. On all 3-53 turbocharged engines a new liquid
nitride-hardened camshaft and balance shaft gears, idler gear, governor drive
gear, and crankshaft gear have also been released. Nitride hardening provides
gear teeth with greater wear capacity and improved wear resistance.
 Oil cooler: Silver 53 engines feature a more durable stainless steel oil cooler.
Improved oil cooler gaskets and adapters reduce the possibility of oil leakage in
this area.
 Fuel connector (“jumper line”): Improved process control reduces the sensitivity
to manufacturing tolerances and installation torque, providing a major reliability
improvement.
 Oil pans and oil drains:

Here are some interesting numbers:

 Fuel consumption: BSFC (Brake Specific Fuel Consumption) for a Silver 4-53T
is 0.365 LBS/BHP-HR. Which is 15% better than the best naturally aspirated 4-
53 with a BSCF of 0.425. The Silver 4-53T has a very flat fuel curve throughout
the engine speed range of about 1,800-2,500 (lowest at about 2,000 rpm)

 Noise levels: Measured 1 meter away from a bare engine running at 2,500 and
2,200 rpm respectively:

Silver 3-53T 93 dB(A) and 91 dB(A)

Silver 4-53T 97 dB(A) and 95 dB(A)
Silver 6V53T 96 dB(A) and 94 dB(A)

 Horsepower: maximums
Silver 3-53T 140 HP
Silver 4-53T 185 HP
Silver 6V53T 280 HP