Northwest Without jakes

The PacBrake for a 3406 put up 30% more braking horsepower than a 346D Jacobs would. The P39 PacBrake for the C15’s seriously outperform the Jacobs. If you buy a “SuperJake” from Jacobs you are buying a licence built P39 PacBrake. When i started out maybe 1 truck in 10 had a Jake on it. Pretty much an owner-operator thing in those days.

 

I currently have a engine brake in a 3406B that will about stop the truck dead and I've had PacBrakes (1995 N14 red top comes to mind) that all they would do is purr like my wife's cat and gain speed. Again I say it's all in how they're adjusted. If any driver needs more engine brake than what my B model has they're doing something wrong and that's all I have to say about that. Your mileage may vary.

 

I have been driving these rigs since before there was a B and 3406 happens to be one of my favorite all time engines.
By far my favorite as far as mechanical engines, and you are the very first I have ever heard make the claim that the jakes were as good as a cummins, even with the problemetic super jake. Now give me jakes coupled with a retarder, and well talk.

 

I appreciate the education on the other available versions of braking. It should only have taken me about oh... 35 years to have it.

I think that whatever there is if the truck had it, I made it work.

 

I had an ‘88 3406 Brakesaver engine with a PacBrake on it. Most braking power I ever had in an on-highway truck

 

I stand corrected, I have now heard it twice in my life.
There are lots of B models still running the haul road here. These guys do not mind spending big bucks to improve their rigs, including some have even tried the 14000 driveline electric retarders. Many either had a retarder to start with or added them, but I have never heard the claim that any b model jake was on par with the cummins brakes.