When did common rails come out?

They didn't call it that, but Cummins had a single injector line starting with the NH series in the early 1950s. Detroits had them from the beginning.

I don't know if the E model used a distributed type pump but I know my b did.

I started hearing the term "fuel rail" after Cummins introduced the ISX.

 

Yes and no......

A common rail injection system on today's modern diesels operates at very high pressure, like 35-40,000 psi. And has a high pressure fuel pump to make those pressures.

A series 60 , n14 ,c15 and E model 3406 are not like that. The only thing they have that's sort of similar is the fast that the injectors are all fed by a common fuel galley in the head . Technically these are not considered a " modern common rail engine".

Nor is a 3406b for that matter.

True modern common rail injected diesels are the dd15/16, ISX/x15, PACAR, basically any engine in a new truck now a days.

These common rail engines first came out with the introduction of the ISX. Possibly Volvo then too. Then shortly after the DD15

 

The first year of a Cummins common rail b series engine is 2003 I believe.
But that’s a much smaller medium duty engine.

 

Isx went common rail late 2010 with the introduction of the ISX2250.

 

Yes and no. Common rail in the lastest engines have the capability for nine injections in a single injection event. This leads to a more efficient burn and higher thermal efficiency of engine. That being said, most all HD engines in US that us common rail injection also use EGR and DPF that lower efficiency. Also, while they are getting better, newer engines have more maintenance issues, breakdowns, and downtine. Better economics... I would say a pre-egr engine or properly "tuned" emissions engine would win. Just my opinion from what I have seen.

 

Not worth it. Easier to modify current common rail engines to older emission standards.