Looking for Big Rig reference material AMT White-Freightliner

[Screaminhelo]

I am building the AMT Freightliner as my first big rig. As a long time aircraft modeler, I know where to find all kinds of obscure aircraft references, but I am finding it a bit more challenging to find useful references for subjects that aren't as commonly preserved for history. When I look for a Cummins KTA, I mostly find what I believe are generator powerplants or marine motors. When it comes to frame details, I have not found anything that I recognize as useful. I figure that it is time to reach out to the experts because I am at the point where I keep finding the same stuff over and over.

Right now, I just want to touch up simple engine details, do some basic plumbing (fuel, oil and water lines) and add basic chassis details like brake lines.  I'll save interior detailing for later. In the mean time, I'll continue digging.

V/r,

Bill

[Force]

Just type in White Freightliner WFA or Freightliner FLA on google or any other search engine and you will get lots of pictures.
The engine in the White-Freightliner kits is a Cummins NHC 250, a naturally aspirated Cummins 855 cui engine, transmission is a Fuller Roadranger.
Here you can find some of the information you need on the engine, this is not exactly the same but it's a Cummins 855 cui engine and most of it is pretty much the same except for the turbo and aftercooler wich the NHC 250 doesn't have.
 https://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/model_magazine_articles/car_modeller/cm05_jan_1991_cummi/

Here is a typical brake system.
https://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/model_magazine_articles/car_modeller/cm03_sept_1990_truc/
The White Freightliner has wedge brakes tho' and they are slightly different than the more modern S-cam brakes.
Here is a search on this forum on brake systems and you can learn a bit there.

Browse around on the modeltrucks25 fotki albums and you will get lots of information there, lots of instructions and other useful information.
https://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/
And of course on this forum where there are lots of information.

Edited April 28 by Force

[Screaminhelo]

I really appreciate the help. I have a lot to learn about these trucks. Now, I can see that I was searching some of the wrong terms, I was looking for FLT trucks which is how I settled on the KTA motor. The air brake thread is perfect! As I learn more, this will provide much of what I need to do it right but right now, there is plenty of information for a little creative gizmology to create the illusion of a proper brake system.

 

V/r,

Bill

[Muncie]

WFT until about 1975 when the sales agreement with White expired.  FLT from then until 1982/1984(?) when there were enough changes that the FLA COE replaced the FLT.   Later on, the FLB replaced the FLA.

The AMT kit is a WFT.   (White Freightliner tilt cab.  it is what was later referred to as the 61 series raised cab.  Unfortunately, the 61 series COE was only good for 350 HP, maybe 400 in some applications.  The engine tunnel was too small for the larger radiator and air intake system required for more horsepower.  The 71 series stretch cab had a larger tunnel and could accommodate more horsepower.

But people still wanted more horsepower, so Freightliner came up with the Powerliner.  {(It would be an FLP but I don't think anybody calls it that) 2000 square inch radiator.  400 horsepower minimum, could handle the big Cummins, Caterpillars, and Detroit Diesels with up to 600 horsepower.  Depending on how accurate you want to be, it is not an easy conversion from the kit.

more details on the Powerliner in this link.   Truck History: 1973 Freightliner Powerliner - Its Massive 1150 Cubic Inch Cummins KTA Made It The First 600 HP Diesel Highway Truck - Curbside Classic

 

Edited April 29 by Muncie

[Force]

The KTA 19 is a huge engine as it's both long and tall, 19 litres displacement and up to 600 hp.
And as Steve say, it's not that easy to get it to fit in the White-Freightliner kit.

[Screaminhelo]

38 minutes ago, Force said:

The KTA 19 is a huge engine as it's both long and tall, 19 litres displacement and up to 600 hp.
And as Steve say, it's not that easy to get it to fit in the White-Freightliner kit.

That is kind of what I was thinking when I saw the specs for the KTA compared to how I understand the use of the truck but I figured I would roll with that. Once I started down the KTA rabbit hole, I started to doubt my conclusions.

[Screaminhelo]

6 hours ago, Muncie said:

WFT until about 1975 when the sales agreement with White expired.  FLT from then until 1982/1984(?) when there were enough changes that the FLA COE replaced the FLT.   Later on, the FLB replaced the FLA.

The AMT kit is a WFT.   (White Freightliner tilt cab.  it is what was later referred to as the 61 series raised cab.  Unfortunately, the 61 series COE was only good for 350 HP, maybe 400 in some applications.  The engine tunnel was too small for the larger radiator and air intake system required for more horsepower.  The 71 series stretch cab had a larger tunnel and could accommodate more horsepower.

But people still wanted more horsepower, so Freightliner came up with the Powerliner.  {(It would be an FLP but I don't think anybody calls it that) 2000 square inch radiator.  400 horsepower minimum, could handle the big Cummins, Caterpillars, and Detroit Diesels with up to 600 horsepower.  Depending on how accurate you want to be, it is not an easy conversion from the kit.

more details on the Powerliner in this link.   Truck History: 1973 Freightliner Powerliner - Its Massive 1150 Cubic Inch Cummins KTA Made It The First 600 HP Diesel Highway Truck - Curbside Classic

 

That is the kind of knowledge that I want to begin building. I appreciate the brief history lesson!

V/r,

Bill