Why not doing your own repairs will make you go bankrupt.

Well said

 

I have never driven one. I did drive a 6NZ once, but that's a far cry from a late model truck. How many mechanical trucks have you driven and maintained?

All I know about new engines is what I read. All I know about old mechanical engines comes from first hand experience.

If guys want to run new equipment, I think that's great.

 

Overhauled just once at the 400,000 mile mark.

 

Best motor Cat ever built to put in a truck .. You just had to know how to drive one

 

I’ve only owned this one late(def) model truck. Bought it new and have put 240,000 miles on it in 2.5 years. It’s never derated and never left me on the side of the road. It’s been in the shop twice in that time. Once for an abs control module and once for the def heater manifold. Together it was down for 7 days in 2.5 years.

I have had two trucks over the years actually break down while out on the road that actually required me hunting a shop. One was a 2005 international with an ISX. So no big surprise with that one. The other…. Drum roll please…. It was an 89 379 with a B model cat. It broke down a lot.


I wouldn’t say I’ve owned a lot of mechanicals. I had that 400 cat, a 315 Cummins once and an L10. But I also spent a few years as a truck mechanic. So I’ve been around a few.

I will freely admit. I had more fun driving that old Pete than I have any other truck. But I make way more money with this truck.

 

Their funky cranks were the weak point on those.

 

About 20 years ago I passed on a 362 with a factory 3408. I’ve kicked myself ever since. The boy wanted 5 grand for it and I only had 3500 to spend.

 

They could be if a guy tried lug'n them on a hard pull.. You had to pay attention to your boost gauge & your tach .. and keep your witts about ya .. it was a great motor

 

Oh no .. I was hawkeye'n a clapped out K100 about a year ago with a 3408.. on auction time in south east Pa .. the motor ran but had been sitting for 8 or 10 but they had it running .. I contacted a couple members here was gonna pull the motor and give the Truck to one for for the use of his shop and fresh'ni the motor up at anothers shop.. but I got scared about doing it ..I should cause it had a brake saver that right there was worth about 3500

 

I just spent the last weekend doing injector sleeves in my 3406e. Would have had no problem paying my cat shop to do this but they're pushed so far out its not funny. I've also developed trust issues these days with shops. They're like everyone else hard up for help and have to resort to hiring warm bodies with a pulse. Not a fan of paying top dollar for my truck to be a guinea pig.