Info on engines

[MaryEMT1]

Hey yall ,
So from those i have talked to the best engines to pull a 29-32 " bus is either at 7.5 or a Cummins 8.3 . However what is yalls opinion on Motor Detroit 408 . Is this something to stay away from or is it a good engine?
Thank you
Mary

[bus-bro]

Never heard of a Detroit 408, and can't find it on a web search. So I would avoid it without more information.

[rossvtaylor]

There's a DT408...but it's not a Detroit. Perhaps that what she's referring to? As far as the question goes, there are tons of good or great engines. It's generally good, if you can, to avoid some of the emissions stuff. And of course there are some engines to avoid altogether. I love the old 2-stroke Detroits, but they have their own maintenance requirements (and oil consumption). We also have a Cummins 8.3 and that's a really strong running engine. We've got, or have had, good experiences with the Detroit Series 50, the Cat C7 (I know some don't like it, but our experience was good), the 7.3 IDI, the 7.3 Powerstroke, and the 3208 (again, disliked by some, but working great for us). With a few exceptions, you'll find fans for almost all the diesels. The 444 and 466 engines are almost universally liked. And the 408 is just one of those with a shorter piston stroke. But, having said that, I have no experience with it...

But, like bus-bro said, definitely avoid the Detroit 408!

[s2mikon]

Yep. I haven't heard a single good thing about the Detroit 408

[MaryEMT1]

Thanks yall .
I couldnt find any thing on it on line .i appreciate the information.
Mary .

[sportyrick]

strictly my opinion for full size bus:

1) DT466 or it's little sister 408 or big brother 530

2) 8.3 cummins
3) 7.3 ford or 444 int.

4) 5.9 cummins
5) Duramax
6) C7 Cat

[s2mikon]

The DT 408 by navistar / international was the replacement for the DTA 360. So they produced a DTA 360, DT 408, DT 466 and a DT 530. All good engines. Why so many? Who knows. But the DT 466 has a long history of being reliable and economical to repair. I'm sure that as more emission equipment was added a lot of that went away.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by s2mikon

The DT 408 by navistar / international was the replacement for the DTA 360. So they produced a DTA 360, DT 408, DT 466 and a DT 530. All good engines. Why so many? Who knows. But the DT 466 has a long history of being reliable and economical to repair. I'm sure that as more emission equipment was added a lot of that went away.

emissions KILLED navistar.