Idling with a Big Cam Cummins

Jesus, we never shut down the old big cam, small too for that matter in the winter. Idle away.

 

Good luck finding a 359 that isn't a ragged out pos for under a hundred grand. Add 25k minimum of its numbered.

Do yourself a favor and expand your search for a 379 with a 3506, n14, or 12.7.

 

Lordy. I can show you several 359's local here that is far from ragged, even one 87 numbered extended hood for way under 100 grand.
A friend just sold one that ran good, but did need a little love with a 3408 in it.

 

Take her up to 1100 with a stick on the fuel pedal on the dash She will settle down and generate zzzz in happy form. Never you mind those old wives stories about tired trucks.

When it's below -20 put a winter front on her. She gets chilly and arthritis and cannot hardly get working good.

 

There are quite a few around with 3406's too, I would not turn one of them down if looking for an old truck. That is as long as it is a B model, I wouldn't spend much on an A or a 1693.

 

In all my trucking, I'd say with confidence, 85% of the motors were BC 's. Idling isn't going to hurt them, they use about a gallon/hour. Bosses hated idling, because the truck gets 0 miles per gallon, but the way I figured, it was a lot cheaper than a service call. Step it up to 1000, and idle all weekend if need be. The biggest issue when cold, is keeping the temp up. I believe cold diesels, like under 140 cause the oil to break down.
The 359 is the bigger challenge. They are out there, but owners are reluctant to get rid of them, because they won't find another. The ones that aren't being used are pretty ragged. 379's are a much easier find, and are just as nice. Cat motors are great, but can't beat a Cummins, big or small cam for simplicity.

 

cummins are simple, and cheaper parts than cats, they just ain't a cat. lol
In all reality a 379 is nicer than a 359, as far as I am concerned, but again, it just ain't a 359. lol
I prefer the old KW's myself, but if I had to go short hood with a 359 I would prefer a 379 instead, I'm thinking.
I would love to find an old extended hood A model, I have several A models but the extended hoods are somewhat rare, and no one makes a replacement hood for them either. I am going to look into what it takes to make one an extended cowl truck, instead of hood.

 

I'm not a Peterbilt guy, but I am a big cam Cummins guy. You have the right idea. I would let worry less about what kind of truck it is as long as it has that big cam Cummins in it.

Once you've had one for a while, you'll look at all the threads in the mechanics Forum about fault codes and expensive injectors and wiring and computer problems, and you'll just smile and shake your head...