Newer motors?

I'm still researching this, but in more recent years I'm hearing/seeing more & more cases of premature or repetitive cam wear on truck diesels.
I believe a lot of it has to do with reduced levels of zinc dialyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) in motor oils, as the Govt & EPA has driven these ZDDP anti-wear additive % levels further down in motor oils over the past 20 years or so. EPA is against ZDDP because it has a negative effect on both wildlife (fish, waterfowl, etc) and on catalytic converters.

Premature cam/valvetrain wear first showed itself in 4-wheeler engines years ago, while HD truck motor oils were exempt from having reduced ZDDP in them, for many of these years. I'm not sure where the reduction stands now, but trying to gather info on it, as time permits.

 

The lower ZDDP levels are fine in roller motors, that is motors that have rollers on the ends of the rocker arms, and in autos they would have rollers on the lifters if not an overhead cam engine. If you are running an engine that is not a roller, there are additives you can buy to put the ZDDP levels back into the oil.

 

large car 359, was told by cummins that they had a bad bunch of cams and some engines also had bad cam followers

 

Yeah, I have no regrets whatsoever for getting my 2013 glider with a pre-egr engine. Runs sweet and not near the hassles of even the 2006 ISX I had before let alone the newer stuff. And one is not stuck with any one brand of engine. Take your pick, Cat, Cummins, Detroit. All have their pluses and minuses, but all are great motors.

 

I am lucky with this 12.7 DDEC IV I have in the glider. Really runs great, doesn't use any oil, gets very good MPG, and will walk a hill as well or better than most of what is on the road now. 186K miles on it now. The glider itself is great overall. Still on original rubber all the way around. Steers will go way beyond 200K before needing changed out. With a full load of fuel and trailer, it will take 48K in the box before hitting 80K gross. No complaints except the door windows are a little flimsy, in that they flex quite a bit when you open them that if you are at road speed, you have to wait till you stop to completely close them. Of course, every truck has its little quirks. Nothing is perfect.

 

I had a 2012 T660 with an 435 ISX Cummins and an 13 spd, got it brand new, constantly pulled 40K with it and did pretty well for an 435, agreed what others said, took a little bit for an response from the throttle... I #### sure miss it compared to this 05 Acert under my hood now