Is the grass greener?

Well I noticed the cam is easier to replace in a Roit than a Pillar.

 

From what I've seen, everything on the 5 Detroits Series 60 I've owned is far easier to work on compared to Cats and Cummins.
The hardest part of the water pump is getting the hoses fit with the pipe going to the oil cooler. Compressor, starter,fan hub, etc is all super easy. I watched a buddy change the water pump on a N14 and that looked like way too much work.

 

The N14 water pump is not that bad if you know the correct procedure.
I worked on them for a living, and the Detroit is by far the easiest to work on. They give the best fuel mirage, parts are the cheapest, and give the best longevity.

 

What a good buddy you are.

Getting ready to swap out the air compressor on a C12. Looks easy enough & can see everything. But a couple of brackets that need to get out of the way first.

As far as the grass is greener thing, look under the hood of a Pro Star. Have never seen so much stuff that has to go away just to even see the motor.

 

Look again, Kansas. On an ISX, the water pump is driven by the big belt that also goes around the crank and fan. The small belt driven off the water pump drives the other accessories. If that big belt goes, no water pump. It is NOT gear driven.

To answer your question, water pumps on pre-ACERT Cats aren't too bad, but ACERT's will send you away crying. Detroits are easy, and you already know about the Cummins.

The biggest difference (IMHO) is the part that you're least interested in..not what brand engine, but whether or not it's in a long hood or not. Everything is out in the open, and easy to get to. I've got much respect for you guys who wrench on the aero trucks. I don't think I've got enough skin on my knuckles for it!

 

Exactly! I've got a 1969 F-100 pickup with a 360 in it. You can climb under the hood and stand on the ground between the engine and radiator while you work on the engine.

I'll take that over the cramped engine compartment in a passenger car (or a new pickup) any day.

 

I'd say Detroit is at the top, with Cummins and Cat about equal to each other. Be leery of the Paccar motor...I haven't heard too many good things about them.

 

I wouldn't have ANY brand engine past 2007, for obvious reasons! but if looking at 2007-2004 isx, cat in that order. twin turbos suck on cats, you can get egr delete and ecm for isx and its cheaper to do that to an isx than a cat single turbo conversion. optimally I would have a 2002 6nz any day of the week over anything though.