Cheap Series 60's North Alabama

[topfrog007]

Guys,

Sorry for the late notice, but there are some cheap Series 60's on Govt Liquidations. They look they are brand new, just been sitting in a crate for the past 15 years. I quickly browsed through the listings and counted at least 9 series 60's for sale.

I'm really not sure about any conversion issues, or how much Series 60's frequently go for but just thought I would share.

Here is an example one:
http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=5123072&convertTo=USD

Here is the list with more:
http://www.govliquidation.com/list/e10590/lna/1.html

Bid is currently at 1,200 and has one day left on the auction.

[luvrbus]

I heard you cannot use that engine in CA nothing new for that state lol

[Seayfam]

Clifford,
Do you know if those are a mechanical non EGR engine?

[belfert]

Would these be off road engines since they are tank engines?  Anyone know if I already have a Series 60 if this would slip right in?  Can anyone tell if these are new or not?  They look new, but it doesn't say.  Would there be concerns with a 15 year old engine that it might be rusted up inside?

There are a few red flags I see:  First, the condition is listed as F7 which means it needs repair or rebuild.  Second, the engines have a 1997 mfg date, but the paperwork says the government bought them in 2003.  Where were the engines in the mean time?

If these go cheap enough I might consider buying one for my bus.  The freight would probably cost as much as the engine plus I would have to figure out how the heck I would ever unload and move a 4,000+ pound engine at my house.

[belfert]

A 1997 should be pre-EGR so far as I know.

[RickB]

Seayfam, My ignorance may show up in a big way but I didn't think that the series 60 came in a mechanical version. I thought they were all ECM controlled. Wait for the dudes who know to respond though...

RB

[luvrbus]

All 60 series are electronic controlled

[busguy01]

Look new?? The ones I looked at on line show mis matched color parts and pieces and rusty exhaust parts.  The F7 discretion shows used, repairable. Are we looking at the same items?? Also noted - no starter. Probably not a bus pan - pan cost $750 Plus.
JimH

[TomC]

2002 is when Detroit started EGR. In California (at least currently-with no change in the future) RV's are exempt from smog laws.  So an off road Series 60 could be used.  We had new military Freightliners in and they had 98 certified Series 60's in them.  Military is also exempt from smog laws.
All Series 60's are electronic engines-no mechanical non electronic engines were made.
This is why I'm converting my '85 Kenworth with mechanical 3406B.  If the laws ever do change, I'll have a Cummins ISL 450hp installed with all smog devices.  Good Luck, TomC

[Seayfam]

Thanks guys,
That's what I thought, just didn't know for sure if they built something different for the military.

[belfert]

I hadn't looked at all of the engines before my first comment.  I swear at least one of those engines looks like new, but one or two look a little beat.  Even the worst ones look better than some of the used Series 60 engines I have seen.

My major concern would be the fact they are listed as needing repair.  If they were close by I would go by and take a look and getting one home wouldn't be near so costly.

[topfrog007]

Guys,

I have the ability to pickup a few of these Series 60's. IF they are in good mechanical condition would it be a good investment as in sell and make a profit if the ending price is between 2-4K? Not sure how much a new or rebuilt one would run.

[luvrbus]

You need to be careful as you can buy the 12.7 running takeouts for 2500 and up and also you are buying a obsolete engine the 14L is more popular now than the 12.7 supposed to be better on fuel the jury is out on that one lol

good luck

[belfert]

A new Series 60 is big, big bucks.  I'm not even sure you can buy a actual new one.  You may only be able to buy a Reliabilt.  I've seen complete rebuilt Series 60 engines for over $10,000.  A Reliabilt is going to be even more than that.  If you were to buy one I would call your local Detroit dealer and see what they can tell you based on the serial number.

Anyone who has to meet EPA standards would not be able to put these in a vehicle as these are unlikely to meet EPA standards.  The military is typically exempt from pollution standards and these are possibly off highway engines.  The EPA stuff wouldn't matter to someone putting one of these in a private bus.

I would be scared of the F7 status on these which means repairable, but needs repair.  I swear at least one looks new or barely used, but someone may have just taken all the nice red caps off the replacement engine and put them on this engine.  I'm basing my assessment of the one engine possibly being new not just because of the red caps, but it appears to be really clean with little damage to any paint.  It does have rust on non-painted surfaces, but that could be from sitting in storage for a long time.

Old 11.1 engines with questionable histories that may be cores only are listed for $1,500.

[TomC]

The 14 liter Series 60 is still being made today for industrial uses, marine uses, truck and bus use (outside US). Series 60 was available in trucks and buses up until the 2010 emissions standards came in.  That's when Freightliner (who owns Detroit Diesel) dropped the on highway engine in favor of the new DD13, DD15 and DD16.
Series 60 is still a very reliable, rugged engine (many of our mechanics also think that).  The only reason the 14 liter was brought out was to get a bit bigger engine to counteract the natural lowering of horsepower by adding EGR.  Hence the 14 liter EGR engine puts out the same power as the 12.7 liter non EGR engine does.
Personally-the Series 60 is big engine (all Series 60's are the same size on the outside).  I would look for a smaller sized engine to install in a bus-like the Cummins M11/ISM, Mercedes 4000, Caterpillar C10, C11, C12, C13 (C12 is the best). Good Luck, TomC