Just exactly what do they all mean? It's not all that important, but for some reason it's driving me nuts.

I tried a feeble search, but didn't find anything specific to the question.

Hi Corkey,
It is just Cummins way of labeling their different engines. As best I remember, the IS stands for integrated circuit. The last letter is the engine family. B is the small and X is the large. The letters inbetween B and X indicate where the engine family falls in the size wise line up.

engine types
If you are asking what does the 'B' stand for, sorry. But you did get my curiousity going.

Found this:
ISB Interact System B: Cummins designation for the 24 Valve "B" series diesel introduced to the 1998 Ram

The "IS-" series of engines are electronically controlled as opposed to the older mechanically controlled engines.

quote:

Originally posted by Corkey:
Just exactly what do they all mean? It's not all that important, but for some reason it's driving me nuts.

I tried a feeble search, but didn't find anything specific to the question.

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Cummins has a very long history of naming its various engines by letter designation; sort of like the old Fords i.e. model A, B etc. The most long lived was the H (5/1/8"bore)and then NH (New H)(5 1/2"bore)). So, with the release of the new IS (Interact System which allows for interaction of various non-engine components from ECM)version they simply picked up the letter from the series i.e. B became ISB, C became ISC. The latter larger versions like ISM, ISX are new but continue the letter tradition. To confuse things, Cummins has at time used names like VIM/VINE to designate V type engine 6 cylinders (VIM) and 8 cylinders (VINE) and then later went to VT-903 when they went to a large V8. Then , in 1970's they released the K in line series and denoted them as KT-450, etc. In other words, there is no real strict code parse to their numbering convention - one has to just become familiar with the engines but one can say that a single letter means mechanical and IS means electronic controls.

Corkey

Here is a link with information that may help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cummins

Lew

Ecker, thanks for the rundown. Once I get a grip on all of this, I think I will be able to drive defensively in the fog.

LewF, thanks for the link. It provides a good history lesson, probably take me a month to soak it all up, I'm slow but deliberate.

Not knowing was, as I said, "driving me nuts", now I know and the other half says I'm still nuts.

Thanks all for responding, ... informative.

While we are on the subject I was wondering what the AD designation meant as in the ISB 300 AD which is one of the engines listed for RV application.

quote:

Originally posted by Higgins:
While we are on the subject I was wondering what the AD designation meant as in the ISB 300 AD which is one of the engines listed for RV application.

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I will have to check to be sure but I think it means air compressor delete. You can not select the air compressor option on this engine. This version is designed for low cost entry level diesel motor home like Monaco LaPalma which has hydraulic braking. In addition, it comes with a three year warranty not five to further lower cost.

i have a 5.9 isb
with a B on the block any input

What sort of input are you looking for?

any problems with this block
where is it made
is it made before or after the 53 block
thanks