cummins/cat/volvo/detriot

poptop · #1 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 10:32 PM

in the market for a truck.
are there any official studies or stats on which engine has the best track record.
links would be appreciated.

kiwiray · #2 (**permalink**) 10-07-2008, 10:41 PM

Cant give you any links cobber, but I have over 40 yrs experience on the road & I favor the good old Cummins, but in saying that I drove a 1993 Volvo F12 (I don't think you got F12's in the US)cab over tractor unit that did 1.7 million klms & never had any major work done on the engine/ gearbox or drive train, she was a good old girl & I spent many a long day in her.

Just the thoughts of an old guy down under, Cheers kiwiray

thebeerboy · #3 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 08:15 PM

i am a cummins fan also

Skidmark · #4 (**permalink**) 10-08-2008, 11:11 PM

I'm runnin a CAT right now ,I'd say Cat,Cummins, Pre-emmissions standards is the key ....We ran a Western Star with a New Detroit in and it was terrible. It sounded as if it could fly apart at any moment and it couldn't get over 5 mpg out of the box. I 'm sure you could fare better with a pre emmissions standard Detroit ,also...My favorite of all time was 1993 volvo with a 475 Cat in it.....

madhatter · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 03:08 AM

Dads had 2 detroits. First one had just over 2.3 million with no major work then it blew up and the current one he has now just turned over 1 million and still nothing major. Averages over 6.5 miles a gal. sometimes better. Both pre emission and both in International eagles. Seems like the Detroits run for a long time but when they quit they quit all together. Good luck

mildew · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 06:00 AM

This is all I know after being an owner op for 11 years............Cat #1 in performance, they say they are expensive to fix.(mine never broke down, I never got to find out) Cummins Good motor but the fuel milage was never good in any of the ones I drove. I also had an injecter problem with them.(it may have been just bad fuel and bad luck)Detroit they used to leak a lot of oil. That problem has been fixed in the newer models. Fuel milage is the best in these motors. Every one I talk too gets 6.5+ mpg with the 60 series 470 hp.Volvo I know very little about these motors. I do know folks that had them and lost there trucks because it was too hard to find parts for (finding parts is very important).....My personal favorite was the Cat... I would consider the Detroit in today's economy though. Hope I helped some. Good luck.