Best diesel engine

Iceni John · February 13, 2019, 08:05:05 PM

If we were all corporate accountants we would choose the engine that made the most financial sense and had the best ROI, but we're not, so we don't. We choose, or at least tolerate, engines that may make little rational sense, but they instead feed our soul and make this crazy hobby worthwhile. Obviously an ancient 2-stroke design makes little sense these days, but what's the fun in listening to some bland anodyne 4-stroke that sounds like a household appliance? The wail of an angry 2-stroke is addictive, and for me is worth one or two MPG - I don't and won't ever drive big mileages, so a few bucks extra of diesel each trip is worth it to me to hear a Detroit singing its happy song. I grew up hearing Commer TS3 and Foden 2-strokes and spent many a mile behind Napier Deltics, so having my very own 2-stroke now is a well-deserved indulgence.

John

luvrbus · February 13, 2019, 08:20:12 PM

Quote from: CrabbyMilton on February 13, 2019, 05:24:25 PM
Well if you build lousy engines, your pockets won't get very deep.

LOL some of the crap engines Cummins made over the years dipped deep into their pockets

CrabbyMilton · February 13, 2019, 11:09:19 PM

I don't disagree.
They had some really horrible bus engines that were either plagued with quality problems or they were too big and heavy for buses.
The V903 had vibration problems which was unusual being that it was a V8.

TomC · February 15, 2019, 06:41:58 PM

And Cummins still makes the VTA903 for the military. Tanks like the Bradley and others only can use the 903. Good Luck, TomC

DoubleEagle · February 15, 2019, 07:38:06 PM

I had a 903 in a "10 ton" Army tank retriever that hauled 60 ton tanks. It did not have the horsepower of many of the current engines, but with the low gearing and 6 X 6 drive, it pulled well. I loved the dual exhaust that came out horizontally just ahead of the drive wheels. When I went through toll booths in Chicago it would fill up the booths with smoke if they did not close their doors. The only thing cooler would have been a Detroit 2 cycle V12 (the best harmonics).

kyle4501 · February 16, 2019, 07:07:42 PM

For me, the best diesel engine is the one that is in great condition & is in my coach.

Geoff · February 17, 2019, 11:38:56 AM

So if my 350HP 6V92TA gets 8 mpg, and a new Cummins engine gets 8 mpg, how am I a bigger polluter? You can tell by my exhaust smell it is running clean.

luvrbus · February 17, 2019, 12:08:59 PM

Quote from: Geoff on February 17, 2019, 11:38:56 AM
So if my 350HP 6V92TA gets 8 mpg, and a new Cummins engine gets 8 mpg, how am I a bigger polluter? You can tell by my exhaust smell it is running clean.

HP to weight I doubt a 6v92 with 350 hp would even move a D4500 MCI once out 1st gear

chessie4905 · February 17, 2019, 01:49:02 PM

It may be running "clean" but nox and particulate matter will choke out the people living in Ca.
I like how the newer engines run so clean, however I can't see how the Regen part is good.Ever get behind a truck that is going through it's cycle? It's enough to choke you out even a mile behind the vehicle for 5 or 10 minutes. Have they factored THAT pollution into the overall benefit?

somewhereinusa · February 17, 2019, 02:09:57 PM

Well, my 3116 Cat also made their "worst" list. You don't need to have $5000 worth of special tools to set fuel timing, if you know how to read measuring tools and understand what you are reading.

chessie4905 · February 17, 2019, 02:22:00 PM

Although a boat forum, lots of interesting info on this engine:

https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/165863-opinions-cat-3116-diesels.html

luvrbus · February 17, 2019, 02:38:14 PM

The 3116 is not much it was Cat's pink elephant

DoubleEagle · February 17, 2019, 04:01:03 PM

Quote from: luvrbus on February 17, 2019, 12:08:59 PM

HP to weight I doubt a 6v92 with 350 hp would even move a D4500 MCI once out 1st gear

Well, it won't move it as quickly, but it will go through the gears. It was not all that long ago that freight outfits had 220, 250, 270 hp Cummins powering tractor trailers. 350 hp was hot stuff when I had a dump trailer with an Autocar grossing 100,000 lbs. It's all relative. A Mack 300 in a ten wheel dump was super (in the eighties).

richard5933 · February 17, 2019, 04:05:09 PM

Not anywhere big enough for a bus, but the Cummins 4BT in my step van is a rock solid engine. Purely mechanical, with just one wire to run the fuel solenoid. Could do away with the one wire if I installed a cable. It's got a gazzillion miles on it and still runs strong.

Geoff · February 17, 2019, 05:00:14 PM

My work truck is a 1976 Grumman 1-ton step van. The smog components are a pcv valve and an air pump into each clyinder at the headers. I don't mind the pcv valve, but the concept of pumping in outside air into your exhaust to make the tailpipe readings cleaner is ridiculous.