The Detroit Diesel Series 60 inline six is widely known among fans of big trucks and vehicles. It was the great family of engines that took Detroit Diesel to the next level with modern technology and management tools that they had previously lagged behind on. But what about the 519ci Series 50? Most people don’t know about these engines but ironically have likely benefitted from their hard work over the years. The 8.5L engines made up to 350hp and 1,200 lb-ft of torque and were kind of the 4.3L V6 to 350 ci V8 Chevy of the diesel world. They were literally a Series 60 with the back two holes lopped off.
The most common usage for these engines was in buses. From city buses all the way up to the Greyhound line cruisers, the shorter nature of the Series 50 made them a great fit for the transverse layout used in buses. These engines used a 5.12″ bore and a 6.3″ stroke to make their power. The engine was 42″ long and 47.5″ tall with a weight of about 2,200lbs before the fluids hit it. The engine made its debut in 1993 and was unfortunately stymied by emissions stuff in the 2004 time frame.
We all know the popular engine displacements but we love celebrating engines like this as well. Why? Because they are yeoman workers who have carried us on trips short and long and they are engines made for a purpose that they successfully delivered on. Plus they make awesome horsepower and torque for a big four banger diesel!
