- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
The 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck was available with a Cummins diesel motor. This in-line six-cylinder motor was the standard diesel for Dodge's Ram trucks for the model years 1996 to 1998. Manufactured by Cummins Inc. under license for Dodge, this engine was known for reliability and providing smooth power for Dodge's heavy-duty truck line, used by customers as work trucks, toy and RV haulers and everyday drivers. - This in-line six-cylinder motor displaced 5.9 L (359 cubic inches) and was liquid and intercooled. It came with a standard turbocharger. Piston bore was 102.1 mm (4.02 inches.) and the stroke was 119.2 mm (4.72 inches). It had two valves per cylinder for a total of twelve; the lift on the intake valve was set at 0.01 inch and the exhaust valve lift was set at 0.02 inch. The cylinder compression ratio was set at 17.5:1.
- This engine was tuned differently for the state of California, due to emissions standards. Trucks sold in the other 49 states produced a peak of 215 hp at 2,600 rpm and 440 lb-ft of torque at 1,600 rpm with a manual transmission and a peak of 180 hp at 2,500 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm with an automatic transmission. California trucks produced torque and horsepower with either transmission at the level of the automatic transmission numbers for the trucks sold in the rest of the country.
- The 1996 to 1998 Cummins diesel motors operated with either diesel #1 or diesel #2 fuel. In an emergency, they could operate on other fuels such as Jet -A, Jet A-1, JP-5, JP-8, 1K and 2K kerosene. Oil capacity was 11 quarts (10.4 L) and oil flow was set at 20 gallons per minute.
- Cummins diesel motors for the Dodge 2500 trucks for the years 1996 to 1998 had a maximum governed rpm of 2,700. Beyond this, power and performance dropped significantly. If overridden, these motors would suffer a harmonic resonance at 4,100 rpm that could cause severe engine damage and at 5,400 rpm the crank and valve rods would fail.
