Engine rebuild costs???

[Bob Belter]

Ahoy, BusCons,

I have a Cummins M-11 with ~~50,000 miles since new installed in my -01 Eagle.  I don't have any rebuilding plans  ---  BUT!!!

While there are always lots of issues on the older DD two cycles, we folk with modern engines (like and hope) that they are bulletproof.  When one is not, per Jim's DD60, the costs add up.

Does anyone have some general notions of rebuild parts and machine work cost and complexity differences for the various big modern engines we BusCons use.  Say compare DD60 to some of the other similar big engines --  Cummins, Cat? 

SO:  What engine to install on a swap?  How big?

I'm VERY pleased with my M-11.  I do wish that it were an ISM (similar) which includes the SAE J1939 protocol connector so that I could install an Autoshift transmission.  My 400hp M-11 is just fine for me, at ~~34,000 lbs, but a heavier bus may want more power.

Any comments???

Enjoy   /s/   Bob   

[TomC]

Depends on if you want to rebuild the engine (entirely new parts) which could cost upwards of $15,000.00, or to just overhaul the engine and replace just what is worn out.  For our low mileage driving, I always suggest just overhauling the engine and replacing just what's worn out.  You don't need an 700,000 mile engine (B50 life of the M11).  Half of those miles is more then enough. 

As to installing an ISM over your M11, they are basically the same engine.  The best would be to find a crashed truck that has exactly the engine you want in it.  Then you could rebuild the ISM up to the maximum 500hp and 1550lb/ft torque for motorhome use and use the 10spd autoshift (with clutch pedal) or for more ease of installation the Ultra Shift (no clutch pedal-automatic clutch).  Good Luck, TomC

[JohnEd]

Truckers that I have talked to told me that Cat is by far the most expensive engine in the world to overhaul.  Next is DD.  Cummins was their favorite in terms of service for the dollar and low buck overhaul.  We have lots of truckers on here that should have an opinion and my info is many years old.

I would favor the mechanical engine, as Cliff said.  I would also go with the Cummins for simplicity and life cycle cost.  Now I got nothing to back that up but that seems what smart people have been telling me over the past years.  With the S60 type hardware I think you might be subject to a terminal bite if it fails.  Jim has been having some heartburn over his situation.  One thing is certain is that if I got in a serious jam with an engine failure I would be on the phone to Cliff whining and sniveling....you know, all that manly stuff with all that puffery.

Good luck,

John

[Melbo]

I have an L10 with a ZF transmission

I had an 8V71 that was in need of being rebuilt or overhauled or gone through.

I had a standard trans crash box four speed.

To rebuild and get an auto trans was going to be more money than the transplant.

Now the L10 only has about 275 horse so it is not overpowered but does what I need it to

HTH YMMV

Melbo

[TomC]

Before it was discontinued, the Cummins N14 electronic engine was the most expensive engine to rebuild with the cost of the injectors.  More so then the 3406E Caterpillar.  Because of the size, weight and power it can put out, I think the Cummins M11/ISM is the right choice for repower in buses.  You can rebuild it up to 500hp and 1550lb/ft torque.  It weighs about 500lb less and quite a few inches lower then the Series 60.  Good Luck, TomC

[trucktramp]

I've never been too impressed with Cummins M-11 engines.  Even with the hp turned way up they just never seemed all that powerful plus the life expectancy of a 500 hp M-11 is not great.  I used to pull loads that were 44,000 or greater with the M-11 and it just didn't seem to have any guts.  The N-14 was decent enough but like someone said, expensive.  Set up correctly, and they will pull good.  Of course if you just want to pull stumps the old 3406 mechanical cat motor or anything Mack will do just fine.  Unfortunately, Mack parts are very pricey.