Big Cam Cummins reliability

Yes Sir! I just had this pump built to CPL 625, circled is the knurled screw to override the solenoid for those that may need it sometime.....

 

Whats you guys thoughts on 3406b vs cummins 855? Overall, cost, reliablility?

 

Pulls better. Costs more. Equal reliability. Same issues as the big cam with finding a mechanic that knows them.

 

Same power the yellow paint just costs more. The Cummins is easier to work on from what I know, I know the fuel pump on the Cat is a lot more complicated and costly. Personal preference is the only real difference.

 

I currently own an N14 but my next truck will be a mechanical cat or cummins. 855 big cam or NTC n14.

 

When I first started wrenching on and driving big trucks, the only real choice for over the road was Cummins or Detroit (2 stroke). Cat was still not involved fully in the market, only time you really saw one in a big truck was a 1674, or a 1693 in a big hooded western cruuzer. When the 3406's hit the market, they quickly became a well deserved proven player. Great engine, just like the Cummins. Little more expensive, but very well built.
I'm a huge fan of both, driven and wrenched on lots of each, but my heart belongs to Cummins, stuck with them my whole career, as it gave me everything I have today, never let me down. You can't make a mistake owning either one. If I had to get back into trucking today, my choice would be an engine like old skooler WVa. N-14 strength, old school fuel simplicity and intercooling. One of the problems with the old legend engines like the NTC 335 was no piston cooling,and no aftercooling. Hot turbo air driven into the cylinders. The later small and big cams got piston and aftercooling, which was a huge plus, but intercooling is the proven way to make correct charge air.

 

In a nutshell, well said.

 

I run a N-14 430E , at least that’s what the tag says.......

 

Agreed...... both good engines if you take care of them!

 

But NEVER do this on a small cam because they lack piston cooling jets.