Tractor First, Right?

Here on TTR, I defer to @wore out for all things related to 3406b model Cats. Maybe I missed it, but I don't remember how much weight you're planning on moving.

My experience in the Berkshires is limited to ~80k on I-90. I recall one long steep bugger after you leave the toll booth heading east......Might be called 9 mile hill or maybe that's in MA I'm not sure.

My 425 hp b model always runs high EGTs and coolant temps pulling those hills in the summer. Not sure exactly why. It's a 15 single over trans with 3.90 rears in a 1896 long hood Pete. I mention long hood because I can't get over 10,700 on the steers when I'm hooked to a drop trailer. I often do that same run with a little 1998 10.9L M11 with 4.33 rears and Celect+ ECM and the EGTs and coolant temps are normal. I guess that's the ECM playing with timing and fuel I don't know.

I'm not up on your emissions laws but I think you'll be fine with any 3406 B, C, E, 6nz or an N14 or a DD60. I would ask your mechanic if he has a engine preference and go from there.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned so far in this thread is trailer wheel base laws. There are some special rules in that neck of the woods.

 

After spending another weekend in the bush on some nice 18% grades fully chained up, don't let anyone talk you out of an 18spd. Hands down when it gets slippery splitting the half gear on the bottom end makes a world of difference.

 

I wouldn't be afraid of a B or C model CAT 500hp is easily achieved out of them with good dependability. I'm not sure of your area and parts availability. I agree hands down an 18 speed but they are not all the same. I prefer the B ratio set over the A ratio set. The B ratio has a lower lo gear than the A. However they both end in .73. I'm no heavy hauler by any means, so take my opinion with a grain of salt lol

 

I didn't know that. Yep that's the hill. You start climbing right after the toll booth at the state line

IIRC I need to drop 2 or 3 gears to keep the temps under control.

Well that's getting up there. If you're moving that weight in those hill on a regular basis, I might rule the 12.7 L DD60 out unless it was in an otherwise perfectly spec'd truck. You see that's the thing......if you're buying used, you rarely get everything you want. If I found a nice truck with the right rears and trans then I would be happy with any of those engines. As far as the red top N14 goes, we had one in a '95 T600 with a Celect ECM. It ate injectors early in its' life but that problem went away. I blame the injectors not the engine. It was otherwise problem free and some say it's the best N14. I may be wrong but I think the red tops were de-tuned to 435 hp maybe that helped reliability.

 

3406B with a C-16 rotating assembly, compound Borg Warner turbos. A 7E 5888 C model pump and advance with 8789 nozzles 20913b Eaton with a 1750 spicer aux behind it. 402 Eaton rears with 3:55 gears. 265 wheel base with a low air leaf cut off.

Totaled Oct 17 2016. Still my honey no doubt.

 

What?!