used vs. new

Oh, now, that's just called east-coast pricing.

Seriously.

Buddy of mine needed a new MT 42 starter for his K100. In Wisconsin, he would have paid $125-$150 for it.

Out here in NJ, he called around and couldn't find one for under $250.

Good thing he still has contacts out closer your way, EVERYTHING is a rip off out here. Was cheaper to ship one out east than to buy it local.

By the way, he's running a Cummins 400 BCIV, and put over a million miles on it without a hiccup. Good preventative maintenance, but no major issues.

Is the whole Cat/Cummins/Detriot thing kinda like the GM/Chrysler/Ford rivalries? I'm sure there are bad apples in every bunch, but I'd be curious to see statistical data on which motors are more reliable.

 

What does your buddy do? If he ran that engine out west and back every week i guarantee it wouldnt last..... Theres plenty of proof out there that cummins was and is horrible. Just ask some of the old timers, you will get a good one every once in a while but it seems liek cummins only builds engines on mondays and fridays

 

Yea I suppouse you right with going over 5 grand a week but locally I would take it over anything

 

Ill still take a 3406B any day over a big cam, atleast i dont have to worry about OH it every 150-200k miles! The B will go 1 million, and no the big cam will not get any better millage, its a old mechanical engine that needs to sing to get moving, were talking 1700-1800rpm cruise speed.

 

Yea that pricing is for rich people..How many rich truckers do you know?

 

I had a big cam 400 in a old school Pete that would pull logs all day long I couldn't break the motor 80-85k the only thing I had done was 4.33 installed and the fuel pump turned up......truck is still rolling today

 

He was hauling a reefer to the western states (California, Oregon, Washington) from Wisconsin, as a matter of fact. He also was pulling a step deck on occasion. No way was he doing 5,000 miles a week, but the rig did average between 80-100k miles per year, depending.

Just like 1989 Pete, my friend hasn't had issues with his Cummins motor. Yes, it is an older mechanical engine, and as you mention, you really do have to keep the RPMs up to get into the peak torque. He averages no worse than 5.5 mpg, and sometimes up to 6.7 with a light load.

What can I say - the motor has been good to him, and it's still pulling strong.

 

There is obviously good and bad apples in the bunch, but honestly im not trying to put anyone down, he did get lucky!

 

Wow.

I talked with him earlier today and he said he'd take luck over a Cat any day of the week!

He laughed and said that his Cummins isn't the only one he knows that has gone over 1,000,000 miles. His comment was, "Well, maybe my motor thinks it's a Cat!"

550, I know you're not knocking anyone, and from what I've seen on here, you are honest and forward with your opinions and postings - which seems to be a rare thing nowadays. Thanks for your candor, and if the time ever comes when I run a rig, you'll be the first person I'll be asking for input regarding what kind of large car to buy and how to supe it up!