• The 353 was a heavy-duty engine.old engine image by John Sfondilias from Fotolia.com
  
  Detroit Diesel's 353 engine was a naturally aspirated diesel engine. The "3" at the beginning referred to the number of cylinders in the engine. The absence of a "V" after the "3" denoted the layout of the engine: a straight 3 design. The "53" implied the displacement per cylinder in cubic inches. If a "T" followed the engine name, it meant turbocharged, while an "A" meant after-cooled.
  
  

Engine Specifications

• The Detroit Diesel 353 was a two-cycle engine, model number 5033-7000. Total engine displacement was 159 cubic inches, or 2.61 liters. The rated gross power output of the engine was 100 horsepower at 2,800 revolutions per minute (rpm) while the continuous gross output was 70 horsepower at 2,400 rpm. Max torque potential was 205 foot-pounds at 1,800 rpm. The bore by stroke of the engine was 3.875 by 4.5 inches, or 98 by 114 mm and the compression ratio was a large 21 to 1.
  
  

Engine Dimensions

• The engine was 33 inches long, 27 inches wide and 35 inches high. The net dry weight -- without any fluids -- was 965 pounds. The engine oil pan was stamped for a 10 degree incline. The five-blade exhaust manifold fan was 22 inches.
  
  

Engine Features and Equipment

• The engine featured a 12 volt, 42 amp alternator as well as a crankshaft pulley. The flywheel and flywheel housing was SAE type no. 4. The engine speed governor used throttle controls and variable speeds while the fuel injector was a clean tip, cam operated unit type. The oil lubrication filter used a full flow design and the starting motor was 12 volts.