Quote:
Originally Posted by 45acp
I am looking at several buses, and need some help with engine choice.
[ I know each to his own.]
I already know that I want the overdrive trany.
I have been a mechanic for some 40+ years. But not on diesels.
Here are my choices.
Dt466 130,000 miles.
5.9 cum. I have worked on some of these. 90,000 miles.
6.6 ? 182,00 miles.
T444 with 148,000 miles.
Cat3126 110,000 miles.
6.0 ? 145,000 miles.
Miles will very.
I have heard the cat 3126 is not friendly. I have seen many buses with this engine.
I will travel in this bus when I get one. And I am sheer I will need parts along the way. Any help in my choice is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Perhaps the biggest thing about Cat engines is parts - you can only get most of them straight from Cat dealers and usually at a premium price. Also, most are only open 8-5 on weekdays. Good luck if you break down Friday evening ...
The Cummins 5.9 engines have 2 fatal flaws. From the late 80's-'98 is the KDP, which can be corrected if done prior to failure, and the '98-01 "53 block" (bad block castings). Aside from these, they're pretty solid engines, albeit woefully underpowered in a full size bus, especially if you ever plan on towing or going through any hills. It is not a sleeved engine so it will have to come out if it ever needs a rebuild.
The IH engines - the T444 and DT466 both have excellent reputations. The latter is a sleeved engine and can be rebuilt in frame; it will also produce much more torque and will be much better suited for towing and ascending hills. The 6.0 (used both in Fords and IH's) earned a poor reputation for various problems which can be addressed, though not cheaply or easily. Best avoided unless you have plans to "bulletproof" it.
IH and Cummins engines have good parts availability. Due to this, there's competition and that keeps prices down. If all other factors were equal, I'd get that DT466. I've long believed those can be million mile engines, if properly cared for.
I'm assuming you want a full length bus based on the ad you posted, but you may also want to consider headroom. Many buses are 6' high inside but some are 6'6". If you *KNOW* this won't be a problem, *or* you know you plan on doing a roof raise, then it may not be an issue. Just something to keep in mind.