Big Cam Cummins reliability

750 in the truck stop lot?

Turbo upgrade? What nozzles are you running? Which file in the ECM

 

It's the entire Big Cam from head to pan for 11k? What model CAT did you price?

 

Other than how the engine is fed, what would you say is the difference between mechanical and electronic?

 

That kit on that website is $5,700.

My engine needed more than just an in-frame and I had the guys do it at a shop that I know.

So mine ended up getting a new block, a new crank, a new cam, heads and valves were rebuilt, new injector cups, new injectors, new piston cooling nozzles, flywheel cut, water pump rebuilt, engine timed, oil pump serviced, new accessory Drive.

A little over $7,000.

I certainly agree with you there. You can't compare a newer electronic engine to the big cam. The big cam is way farther ahead in every way no offense.

That engine on that caterpillar website is $46,000. That's without all the electronic junk. No thank you. That's almost seven big cams for me, lol. That's probably enough to last me two Lifetimes- seven engines, holy cow!

And let's not forget there's a gentleman on this website that had a brand new Peterbilt with the big caterpillar like you're talking about, and he spent $24,000 trying to find the problem. There is no way ever that would be possible with a big cam engine. That right there is more than three big cams for me, or more than 2 crate engines. I one hundred percent agree with you. You can't even begin to compare them.

So I guess this is the way the math works out....

1 Caterpillar engine = a second mortgage on the house

1 Cummins big cam= money in your pockets

If you take all that money that would be spent on that caterpillar engine and just buy one big cam, you would have a perfect engine that will run you many many miles with no electronic BS.

And you would have enough leftover to take three women to any island of your choice for a month of bliss, all-expenses-paid first class- anything you could ever dream of- and come back home and still have money left over to invest.

Or you can have a caterpillar.

 

Actually, it's 4600 after cores are returned. That's an entire rebuild for less than 5k with CAT parts (not aftermarket). It's what I used in mine but I added 3k for a brand new head on my 3406e. The entire rebuild cost me a little over 10k (including labor with ALL CAT parts). To each is own but the old school mentality that CAT is so much over priced compared to everyone else is incorrect and outdated. Can you share links to prices for the parts you're mentioning? CAT clearly lists theirs. Seems like Cummins just like to hide the prices. If one looks at aftermarket all of the big three are only within a few hundred dollars of each other on places like AGparts.

Another thing nobody ever mentions is the lack of cruise control on the mechanicals. Call me lazy/spoiled etc but I've come to really appreciate that little piece of luxury. In fact, it's a must when operating a classy Large Car. BTW, no offense taken at all. I'd love for someone to actually show me a clear cut case of costs/prices, numbers and HP/torque between the N14 and 3406e OR the Big Cams vs 3406b/c etc. I'm all about saving money but the power has got to be there and so does the reliability.

 

It's the entire engine head to pan ready to drop in minus accessories.... compressor, fuel pump, etc. In addition a quick internet search will yield inframe kits that vary from a 1000 to 1400 bucks.

 

I know an older fella...been trucking all his life....70yrs old...near bouts went bankrupt over a 3406 E model Cat

 

Interesting.....Cat is charging the federal govt 60k for a C7

 

Kruize King I believe it is solved that cruise problem for most mechanicals. Only drove a couple trucks with cruise, they were nice but was not my top priority.

I would proudly own a 3406b, don't dislike them at all. Simply a preference thing.
And reliability..?? My buddy Jim drives a 78 A model with a B Cat every week. Listening to him talk of being on a exit ramp with the oil pan off trying to fix a lifter that jumped sideways, is very entertaining for sure lol. They all break down, and I have found that engines break more, when the driver dispises it .

If my memory is correct a in frame kit at Cummins is about $1000+ more than a kit at like Interstate McBee. That's for a Big Cam. I do 100% of my own repairs, and like most truck owners I pay attention to every noise I hear.
Reliability and durability are extended with good care, but things do happen that we don't understand sometimes it seems.

 

If your gonna go old school you might as well go all the way. Take the back box off a 14613 and mated up with a 1469B and have a double over with .62 in the last split. With 3.90 and 22.5LP you'll be right around 1550-1600 @70 all around great combo.