The 10 Best Truck Engines ( EVER)!

Dave talks about the best truck engines of all times!
We take into consideration
i) Reliability (low breakdown incidents)
ii) Longevity (length of time before major overhaul/work needed)
Here are our top 10 choices of big truck engines!
No particular order:
1. 300 HP Mack
2. 350 Cummins
3. Big Cam Cummins
4.1693 Cat
5.380 Cat
6. 3408 Cat
7.C15 Cat
8.C16 Cat
9. 60 Series Detroit
10. DD 15
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN MORE ABOUT TRUCK ENGINES, CHECK OUT OUR TRUCKER GUIDE TO THE BEST + THE WORST TRUCK ENGINES ON OUR WEBSITE!
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[@kc9ctc]

I’ve worked as a Cat dealer mechanic for 30 years and the 3406 was one of the best engines Cat ever built...

[@kirkkrieger9360]

Series 60 Detroit, 3406B Caterpillar, and a 6NZ block C15 Caterpillar. You can keep all the rest of them.

[@snidelywhiplash285]

In my years of driving- the 12.7 liter 60 Series engine is my favorite. I spent many years sitting behind (and over top of) them. I was never the first to the top of hill with a Detroit... but they were very reliable engines. The fuel economy was excellent, parts readily available and you could always find someone to work on them. Horsepower is nice, but it doesn't pay the bills.

[@christopherb.f.shorescarol3178]

I prefer a 99’ N14 Red Top Cummins. Very reliable motor. I got over 2 million miles on mine and she’s a great motor.

[@g41thomas]

60 series detroit is my absolute favorite

[@rambladesmanmoe6291]

Yes sir. The 1693 was a beast. I started my apprenticeship with Caterpillar (Peterson Tractor) in 78 and there were plenty of them still on the road. In my opinion it was the 3406B. That engine dominated the truck market in the eighties and nineties. It broke my heart when CAT stopped putting engines in trucks.

[@SmartTrucking]

Mine too!

[@truckandtractorgarage740]

I'm surprised that the 6-71 and the 8v71 Detroit diesel's didn't make the list. They were pretty reliable engines and weren't that expensive to work on. The 6-71 was used in trucks for 50 years!

[@redbluesome2829]

I earned my CDL with the Detroit Series 60, and its what I have in my own truck. Hard to argue with something that simply works.

[@ant0n0vich]

Just bought my 1st truck - 2007 International 9400i. I know International has probably the worst reputation these days, but this older model is actually pretty damn solid. It has a Cat C15. So I'm glad to see it mentioned here by someone who's been in trucking way longer than me. 1.25m miles, no rebuild, still running strong.

[@matthewhansen5008]

That is a good fleet truck. Figure it has the C15 Accert engine with twin turbos. Very reliable engines. Now the C15 Accert Regen engine will bankrupt you.

[@TruckerMan850]

I love this guy trucking stories, They're the best and reminds me of my Dad trucking stories...RIP pops

[@avega2792]

The old Detroit 2 stroke engines will be forever engrained in my head. I grew up with those 2 stroke Detroits in Crown school busses and my favorite part of field trips was listening to those engines scream! When I became a driver I fell in love with the CAT 3406B! When I quit my company job to be an OO I downgraded to a truck with a newer Detroit and hated the lack of power compared to the 3406B.

[@burkevinell]

Cummins N14 Celect Plus 525hp. Even Cummins reps say it was the best motor Cummins ever built.

[@sdudley11]

total agree the cummins N14 celect plus was the best motor cummins ever built, my dad had one when i was growing up that thing was a beast it took everything he gave it and some. he finnaly had to rebuilt the engine when it got 1.2 million miles on it was starting to burn oil to this day he still drive it and wouldnt trust any other engine out there in reliablity

[@MrNastytrucker44]

My n14 2,000,000+ still going

[@McClellan71]

@@MrNastytrucker44 I'm at 1.1 million..

[@michaelvrooman5681]

The biggest problems I've seen with the N-14 was the accessory drive seal and some had problems with the oil pump shaft moving when they got over 800, 000 miles. Other than that i consider those N-14 cummins to be one of the very best out there

[@TheRoadhammer379]

KTA600!

[@davidwatt7919]

I've driven CAT 3406/C15, Cummings 350/ N14/M11/ISX and Detroit S60's 11.1/12.7/14.0 and my overall best is the Detroits series 60 when it comes to efficiency, maintenance and durability. I've told guys if tuned properly you can get CAT power and still maintain efficiency, I've owned the 12.7 and currently the 14L and wouldn't trade for the world (Detroit S60 to life)

[@Littlejoeeee]

Love the 60 series The truck i learn on was a 98 freightliner classic .. that thing would pull on any truck on the hills 🚛 .. it had a great eaton 13 speed ... only bad thing was the mpg 😂 ... it lasted about a million miles .. then rebuild the engine ... everything else was stock .. it lasted about half of million more.. diffs and trans never changed 👍👍👍👍

[@joeyc_yeet6207]

I absolutely love his stories

[@whotf888]

Who doesn't? Old school guys tend to have the best stories, because of less resctrictions, I guess.

[@midevolgamingvortex8844]

Wasnt around for long but the Cummins Signature 600 is a beast of a motor, C15 and C16s, N14, 3408.

[@rvdelivery]

I agree. I have three Detroit 60s on the road today. Today, nothing beats them.

[@SmartTrucking]

Really good engines. Time tested.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

I agree, all 3 of my gliders are 12.7 Detroits. All tuned for 600hp/1850tq. Diesel Freak tunes are the way to go.

[@jessicadavis4405]

The Mack E7 series is one of the best not widely known engines and certainly a favorite.

[@kirostar12]

I've been driving almost any engine out there and Volvo D12 is my favorite. The best reliable engine ever! More than 1m miles and never replaced a single injector yet.

[@ballincobalt4184]

Don’t go to a d13 you’ll be changing injectors often

[@williamjanzen7529]

Cat 3406 b is a great engine and has no electronic components to give you grief .

[@dayanmederos6564]

My brother in law had a FLD with a 3406b.. the truck literally burned on the road.. engine had over 1.8 million miles with no overhold done.. we bought the overhold kit and sold it again .. never use it.. that truck died in the road working strong ! Great engine.

[@aaronsanborn4291]

3400 Series are great motors. I've had really good experiences running the C12 & C15 Cats as well

[@joshpitts7256]

👍

[@6killer426]

William Janzen 3406B is a great engine, the best in my opinion. I love mechanical engines. 3406B best heavy truck engine. B-Series Cummins with p-pump best light duty truck engine. 300 hp Mack is also a great little engine, I used to drive an R-model Mack equipped with one.

[@jholzer1989]

N14 Cummins. 60 series Detroit, 6NZ Caterpillar are definitely the top 3 pre-emissions engines to come out in the last 20 years. The newer ISX Cummins is a great engine once it's deleted. Next do a video on the worst engines. I'm sure the Maxxforce would be near the top.

[@TheColbles2009]

jholzer1989 I drove a maxxforce for a day and it was burning oil 😂

[@McClellan71]

Maxforce is actually good motor if it's deleted. It's the emissions that fail. It's actually a collaboration between Caterpillar and International

[@michaelvrooman5681]

The mercedes MBE was one of the worst i've ever seen

[@MrTheHillfolk]

I like the older 60s. Maybe not the most powerful of the lot, but simple and pretty reliable. Maybe not a winner of any particular category, but a good underdog gettin it done in the background.

[@nicke1903]

I know on fire truck Side of things it's hard to beat the DD15 or ISX Cummins. We had a 4x4 FL80 with a Mercedes Diesel and it had 0 Balls, we have a International 4X4 now it's literally new so not enough time on it to break it yet but with the Emisions and all the Idling a Fire Truck does it's just not ideal at all.

[@Bendigo1]

3406 was a great engine, despite the small issues. If taken care of they would run forever and pull like crazy. I drove a t800 with 3406E put 500,000 miles on it, after someone else put 400,000miles on it. Someone else has put another 500,000 on it and it is still running great. Only one in-frame and a few minor things ever done on it. The engine will probably out lats the truck the way it is going.

[@stevenfoust1979]

I have drove a truck most of my life but now with health issues can't pass the medical exam so my wife says be happy with retirement but watching your videos takes me back to west coast runs. Thanks for videos.

[@riteshpahladsingh3819]

Detroit Diesel 2 strokes are the best in my opinion. Swapped a 8v92 in a 1994 DAF CF75 logging truck. That thing is insane.

[@DeiselDemon]

My favorite still is the 92 series Detroits.... off the line grabbing gears like Mario Andretti! So much fun to drive....6v and 8v were the ones I played with the most, but the 6-71 was fun too. 60 series and 3406e are up there too and the N-14. Mack 350 was a beast. No power in the one I had (cam snapped, never was the same after) but couldn't kill it no matter what!

[@jimdissinger1524]

I have never clicked on a video so fast! Learned to drive with a 300 Mack, spot on with the whole list. I also loved the E9 Mack V8 but they leaked oil like a sieve!

[@keving8026]

Yes, the Mack engines are great! The E6-300/350 are my favorite

[@Alex462047]

International truckie here. In NZ, the C-12 was the undisputed "king of the hill" (C-15 as well, but that is a big engine for NZ). C-13/C-16 didn't get the love for reliability reasons. Haven't been there for 10 years, so don't know how the 60 series DD motors have taken. Japanese gear has always had a following because of it's reliability, and continues to do so. In Australia, the 3408 is a road train engine and, together with the Mack e9 motor, is still in use. C-15s are rare birds these days on the east coast, there are more DD-15s flying around these days than anything else. Paccar (DAF) motors are a hit-n-miss affair. The 510hp units keep dropping the cylinder linings on number 6 cylinder, rapidly and catastrophically over-pressurising the cooling system and blowing hoses in random places. Cummins ISX/Signature/e5 are a bit of a mixed bag. The series 2 twin cam wasn't bad, but the rest of them get niggles. The turbos reliably fail after a period of time, their shafts are only about 6mm thick at the typical point of failure. As in NZ, Japanese gear has it's fans. In Russia, 60 series DD is the American motor of choice. Out of the Europeans, Volvo is the most reliable, Scania runs second to them and the new MB Actros with it's Daimler straight six is said to be fairly good too. Out of the local engines, the KamAZ 740 motor is probably the most numerous, but has weak big ends. The YaMZ 236/238 engines are hands-down probably the most reliable of the Soviet/Russian line-up, though they are quite thirsty. YaMZ also produces a copy of a Renault motor under license, which is used by Belarusian truck maker MAZ, but they have been problematic with emissions gear (I don't know what it is with Russian manufacturers and electrics). Keep 'er shiny side up!

[@ohcamsrazor1966]

In Australia, the series 60 is very good. But the DD15 is giving lots of trouble. Engine harness, rocker box leaks, holes in pistons, cracked exhaust manifolds.

[@aaroncone6778]

You have your list on engines spot on! I have ran all those engines you have listed, & never had a problem. A couple more strong & durable engines I have ran with no issues, were the Cummins Red Head, Detroit 8V92 silver, and the Mack E-7 400hp. Thanks again, be safe!

[@timinla64]

Drove a 3406b for years and still think it’s the best overall engine I’ve ever driven. Always had good luck with the series 60, also. My last truck had the 485 hp X-15 and it was ok but nothing special. Still love the 425 with the 15 speed!!

[@tbillington5064]

We have a 3406 550 1850 yellow motor.engine has 4 +million miles on it.it is in a 379 which I bought new..same block same crank. Overhauled twice,I have been in this industry for 47 years! That truck and that engine put me on the map period

[@markvoos6774]

Mack E7, 60 series Detroit and the old two stroke Detroits, big cam Cummins, iron lung Cummins

[@RD2564]

Great story about the Lettuce King and the Detroit 60 Series, outstanding.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you!

[@jordanpotter2587]

I worked at Detroit reman in Emporia Kansas the place actually closed down this year , they had a really high turnover rate but I can tell you they really put a lot of effort into maintaining quality

[@reggierendert6494]

I saw a video someone put up of touring the Detroit factory, very impressive indeed.

[@fostermervin1]

What can I do to get more power out of my 12.7

[@apuuvah]

"Keep the rubber side down" is solid advice. Would be cool to see a similar video here in the good 'ol continent. Wonder how Mercedes, MAN, Scania and Volvo would stack up.

[@RCRWJR]

I dont know much about big rig engines but love trucks since I was a boy looks like the top from comments are : (1)Cummins N-14 (2) Cat 3406 (3) Cummins 400 big cam

[@dakotahurt597]

I love my pre emissions cummins signature, it's based a lot off of the n14 and the earlier models, 2000 to 2007 are badass motors that can usually outlast the driver like an n14. I love both

[@TheLawman318]

My Uncle had a W900 Kenworth with a 12V71 Detroit. It would pull anything! Loved to hear it run. He had a 13 speed Road Ranger transmission and it would fly! Screaming Jimmy!👌

[@GAME-pg8zt]

I got a 2006 freightliner classic with Detroit 60 series pushing 550hp and I love it...have owned it for 3 years and no problems...

[@SmartTrucking]

Good to hear!

[@truckingotto]

I like Scanias dsc14 from the 3-series. Loads of power, great sound and awesome reliability

[@adambergold4900]

I prefer the older cat and Cummins engines with good power. My all time favorite is the 3406e when they’re turned by someone who knows what they’re doing. A couple of jobs ago I was running logs for an ex-cattle hauler who had 3 3406e 1 c15 6nz and an n14 select plus. 2 of the 3406e trucks were at 650hp and the third 3406e was 750hp. The c15 was also at 650 and the n14 was stock since that was the spare. They seemed to hold up good at 650 with a decent driver in them and the 750 was a total animal but seemed to lose a lot of engine life over the 650. At 650 he claimed his records showed between 700 and 800 thousand miles between rebuilds but the 750 seemed to only get around 600k. All turned up by the same guy. We could haul around 32 ton like a freight hauler at legal weight and that was an awesome feeling. Now I’m back hauling logs in a truck with the isx Cummins at 550 inbred hp and really miss the big power when pulling hills on the road. Especially the back roads that we get on. Plus the older turned up trucks doing the same work we got between 5-6 mpg versus 3.9-4.5 with the inbred emissions motor that’s supposed be so much more fuel efficient

[@kaidebrown8425]

I'm an Australian i had 444 Cummins which did ok for nearly a million. 4 km about 900000 miles. But the best motor ever was my 12.7 liter Detroit that did about 3 .5 million km on one rebuild that was done at 1 .7 million km and was finally replaced with a newer dd4 after 18 years

[@briandoyle8945]

I have the 3406B Cat in my 88 Frieghtliner. I love the Cat engine. When I bought the truck a year ago, it had sat in a field for almost 8 years. My mechanic put 3 new batteries in it and drove it out of the field.

[@markknowles8159]

I agree with all your choices DAVE. The Series 60 Detroit was the best at the end of my career-that’s what’s in the Day Cab behind me in the picture. The days of Great Diesel Truck Engines is OVER thanks to the greens.

[@slr379x9]

drive a 14.0L series 60 glider 550hp. Truck goes excellent. It's not quite even with a dd16 as far as pulling but some of them can't pass me. Pretty impressed with it. Best part is it's eld exempt cmon

[@johncline8416]

Any of the old NTC Cummins Engines. Work Horses.

[@spud-from-Nam]

Not a truck driver but I was a truck mechanic for the Cityof Los Angeles for about 10 years working on trucks. I really like your videos. I especially like that you get right to the business of the video and don't waste time . One suggestion, when you give a list of things you like or dislike it would be good if you ranked them fro either best to worst or worst to best.

[@mvcapitolllc.7894]

from the perspective of an owner operator who works on his own equipment I have found the PACCAR MX-13 to have served us well both as a driver and as the diesel technician who has to maintain/repair them. I sure do like the CAT c-14 and 15 as well as the 3406 however, they cost an arm & leg to own.

[@graystone5.3]

My favorites are the series 60 Detroit’s, 3406b cats, 6-71 Detroit’s, 8v92 Detroit’s, and 12v71 Detroit. Sure those 2 stroke Detroit’s don’t have an abundance of power, but they are reliable as heck. They also sound great, especially with straight pipes.

[@racecar_spelled_backwards868]

I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the Detroit 71 and 92 series. A 71 series was a lot like my grandma... noisy as hell, smoked whenever she felt like, drank like it was going out of style, and yes, even leaked a good bit as she got older. But in the end, she would work with me all day long without complaining. How can you not love that?

[@pierovittori1076]

trucker's poetry =)

[@abshirmaxamed]

Great choice sir. Thanks for sharing this with us. I always enjoy your videos. Great guy

[@gmpltd114]

Great story Dave! I still like the big ole noisy stinky Detroit 12V71..the jake brake would wake the dead. 👍

[@bob75819]

im a detroit guy. ive had several trucks but i value the 60 series and particularly the 14 L.. right now im running a 6nz and even though it has tons of power i would still trade it for the fuel economy and reliability of a detroit

[@johnnoonan5802]

You are great with the stories, your mind is an ecyclopedia of engines trucks and places , i enjoy listening to you thanks alot

[@harriettedaisy2233]

I loved my 300 and 350 Macks, Honorable mention to the 238 Detriot in the wrecker we used to do tractor swaps for Yellow Freight.

[@AyrBear1988]

thanks for sharing dave, the story at the end, priceless made me giggle, my all time fave is the cat c-15 6nz

[@brentb5303]

Cat 6NZ is my favorite. I haven't driven a 60 series though. DD15 is garbage though

[@clydeacor1911]

The old Big cam 350 and 400 Cummins were very reliable and super cheap and easy to work on but my favorite engines are the 3406B and 3406E Cat's.

[@tierone4761]

Clyde Acor Good Answer! In 1985-86, I ran a ‘84 Pete 359 with a 3406B with a 13spd. It was a fairly new engine for Cat back then, and it was painted white, not yellow like they are now. It would run with a 400 BC Cummins, but in the hills & mountains the Cat would prevail. Good Day to You!

[@clydeacor1911]

@@tierone4761 ya they did paint them white for a little bit. I have a 1986 359 Pete with a 425B model, last year of the 359 and Corvette dashboard. We also had a 1986 Freightliner with a 350B model Cat that would leave our kenworths that had big cam4 400's at the bottom of the hills!

[@stirlingpickett5253]

Those Big Cams are my favorite I own a 362 Pete with one

[@SoCal780]

I love my 565 HP Cummins ISX. I replaced a 530 ISX with it. Loved that engine as well. Now my 2005 Volvo 780 has 2.2 million miles on it with over 1 million on the current 565 and still going strong. No emissions bs, EGR. Love this motor. I run AMSOIL synthetic with an OPS-1 bypass filter so she gets plenty of TLC. Pulls great, lots of power, great on fuel, 7.2-7.6 mpg.

[@brianvandorp25]

I bought a brand new 2007 Pete with a 475 Cummins ISX, and once the warranty was off, I did a tune and emissions delete. No more check engine lights, 600 horsepower and 2000 fpt, I still own it, and still love it! Amazing engine break! Just rolled 700000 km on the original brakes hahaha

[@bezerkura6e715]

Still drive a old econodyne Mack roll off with the 300. I'd have to agree as far as a work horse in the construction trades, Mack definitely is the measuring stick.

[@Truckerdaddy]

Anything 2006 and older yes, 2007 and newer are all Volvo engines.

[@kewlmanable]

Yep i run an r model with the 300 as a yard jockey.. Not tremendous power but god damn if that thing doesn't start up in any condition..

[@johnnyesparza680]

I've always been a Detroit fan since I was a kid. Respect for the others who like cat or Cummins. But my favorite is the 8v71 Detroit reliable and loud may not be as fast as the others but gets the job done. I'm driving a 1967 Peterbilt 352st cabover and has a 318 8v71.

[@Wildchild0036]

I love the old 425 mechanical cat,v8 cat,12.7 Detroit,N14 redtop,signature 600,c15,c16,and the 444 Cummins!

[@stovepipe9er]

My favourite is the 3406b. Had one swapped into my 79 freightliner cabover.

[@josephcarmean688]

Love that series 60 Detroit .So reliable fuel efficient and industructable Made me a believer.

[@clintdavis3165]

I never liked cat. They just simply thought to highly of themselves and when it came to buy parts, you had to refinance your house to do it. Cummins has always been my favorite. Won't break the bank when its time for repairs. I have always been afraid of Detroit because my experience, if it ain't leaking oil, it's because there ain't no oil in it

[@Agislife1960]

In the 90's in Alaska I maintained a couple of trucks which ran the ice road. Electronic engines were just starting to hit the market and they had a lot of problems with them. For a time, a good mechanical 3406 cat was really in demand.

[@nicholmansgarage3501]

Was glad to see some Detroits on the list, and loved the Lettuce King story. Those engines are monster when they're tuned right.

[@mikelee5275]

Loved this 10 Best truck Engines! My ALL TIME favorite was the 1693 CAT back in the day. Going from a 318 detroit to the 1693 was a dream come true. IT WAS AWESOME!!!! Ran with them “BIG AL’s” Those 335 Cummings were bad. The Big Al’s didn’t last long . They were “BAD” but They wouldblow the cranks out the oil pan. then the 335’s would melt down when you turned them up.I guess thats why they put the pyros on them. But the 1693’s were awesome. The only draw back was you couldn’t put a JAKE on the 1693. A BAD draw back! An old time friend of mine put a bulldozer industrial tubo. on his engine. He was the TOP DOG!! When The 60 series Detroit came along it took 1st place. It was bullet proof and had Plenty of power.

[@SmartTrucking]

Good idea with the turbo!!

[@kcgibbs]

Great truck engine in class 7 and lower trucks was the IH DT466. Hugely popular, reliable, inexpensive to work on.

[@mahart40]

Kirk Gibbs the shop I work at has 2 customers with dt466 engines in their box trucks One guy has had no trouble at all except for a new set of injectors The other guy has to plug the motor in every day even during the summer and in the winter he has to use an ether injector to start it and he has had injectors replaced along with 2 turbos with a year and a half

[@snidelywhiplash285]

The 466 was a solid engine.

[@TerryByrdJr]

The older ones are 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 especially the ones in the old square hood 4700 trucks

[@mechanic3371]

No power but they’re are bulletproof.

[@mechanic3371]

Love mine

[@thomasgoller7621]

I started my driving career in 08 so I never got to drive a truck with a CAT engine but I have drove 3 with 60 series Detroits. When I went solo with Swift in Early 09 my assigned truck was a 2008 Frieghtliner Columbia with a Detroit 60 and a 10 speed Eaton Fuller. Later took a local job for a company running end dump trailers and they put me in a 2000 Frieghtliner Classic then later a 2006 Classic both with the Detroit 60. Very reliable engines.

[@Midnight_Rider96]

I worked in an engine machine shop for a while, saw more than a few dd60 and mack engines go through there. Usually they were just way up there in miles and didn't have many unusual problems

[@michaellangdonful]

I like the NTC 350 Cummins as well as the Big Cam 400 Cummins. Also I like the Cat motors. However I’m not a Detroit fan because the earlier ones screamed real loud.

[@milosdervenic3848]

Mercedes Actros Year:2004 Transmission: single clutch manual Horse power: 440 Cylinder: 6 The engine and transmission are so reliable. It has 1 Milion Miles. And still running like a clock.

[@whotf888]

Jeez mate. I know a guy, who's running in the Eastern European countries. He drives for a fleet, and he has one of the oldest trucks in the fleet. It has an V8 (from 2003, if I remember well), 480 hp. That motor has about 2.6 million kms, they only had to replace a clutch, because of regular town/ city drives.

[@jarrusjenkins]

Can you get them with a manual? I always thought Mercedes stopped doing them years ago

[@user-nc1um2ot8j]

True

[@justawhitenigga]

And V8 are good too!

[@carlwilliams8354]

We used R Model Mack’s for off-road spotting trucks. We would crank them first and use them to jump all the Detroit powered logging equipment in the winter time. Those old 2 stokes were hard to start in cold weather.

[@triptriplett4285]

I have a 13 Cascadia with the DD15, after a PDI tune last year this thing is awesome. We are putting down 600 hp & 2000 lbs of torque it’s all legal & trouble free. 7.0 mpg FYI

[@theblindredneck747]

Best motor in my opinion is the 290 Cummins. Growing up on the farm we had one in a 71 international Single axle with a 13 speed eaton Fuller behind it. even though it was naturally aspirated she had all kinds of power.

[@connorsmith713]

I currently drive a 99 freightliner classic with a DD60 and an eaton 13 speed hauling water and yeah it's a little underpowered but overall no complaints.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Get yourself a Diesel Freak tune on the ECM. Best thing I ever did on my gliders, 600hp/1850tq

[@jsnow181]

I always loved the 3408 Cat. Good power and a sound of its own.

[@Diesel_Outlaw]

You talked at the beginning about the 300hp Mack from the 70's in the old DMM trucks. We have a couple that we still drive for agricultural use in MN. They are f'ing tough. We had one of the engines rebuilt finally and now it's good for another million miles or so. They just take a lick'n and keep on a tick'n. We have what call our "new Mack" which was built in '98 and we like that motor too. It's just as tough as the older ones but has more HP. I think it has 350hp or 375hp. It has an intercooler that the old ones don't have. If you change the oil and filters when you're supposed to, they just go forever before needing anything done to them. And like you said, they start right up in cold weather.

[@donvalharris9819]

I'm a big cam Cummins and Cat man. Got a special place in my heart for the four and a quarter Cat

[@biged7096]

wow, you named all of my favorites except for the KTA 600 Cummings. My father had 4 million with several bottom ends on a 903VT. I thought he was going to cry when they quoted him 20k to rebuild.

[@kevinbrewer6985]

Started driving in '90, cut my teeth on Formula 315 as a fleet driver, loved it, referred to it as a dragonfly, drag uphill, fly down hill! Detroit series 60 makes my list, ISX, current one is 28,000 hours with 1.1 million. My fleet had 30 Maxforce that were traded in prematurely, however it thought it pulled well but breakdowns were expensive! I've driven the L10 and M11 with gross and they pulled it, Just not very fast! Kevin

[@edwardlangley3843]

Awesome series60 still driving my 2007 century freightliner 13 years.

[@chrisvenaas9839]

I’m a big fan of the c15 cat.. love the torque down low, slide your foot of the clutch and pull! I recently ran a 12.7 Detroit for a friend and was not impressed with the power. Similar hp rating... just a Dog under 1400. I’ll take a 12.1 Volvo over that Detroit any day.

[@truckerpastorlou115]

The best new motor Cummins X15 only been out since 2018. The best I always like to drive Cummins 350 or the big cams. I also agree with. The Mack 300 had one in a dump truck it was very reliable.

[@seymourscagnetti1413]

EXACTLY THE INFO I WAS LOOKING FOR (MOST RELIABLE MODERN ENGINE). GREAT STORY, GOTTA LOVE THE LETTUCE KING! CHEERS!

[@SmartTrucking]

Glad to help!

[@mtevilone]

I like the pre emissions Series 60. Mine had lots of power and they were the fuel milage kings of the era. I hope to start on a coach bus conversion this fall. Nothing newer than an 2004 since it is legal to pull the EGR system after the motor has enough hours on it. The best truck I drove was a Kenworth T800 log truck. Cat C15 and an 18 speed. I was legal to 109,000 with the pup, and that truck did not care. A custom ordered truck with full lockers, that was born to run logging roads and haul heavy!

[@bradshultz8385]

Always liked the 855 Cummins motors the N14 - even the M11. Then got in a W9 with a B model cat, and it worked and worked and worked. Dragging 105,000# cow wagon up Sherman or Elk measures up a truck pretty fast. Like to try that 300 Mack in a steiger.

[@Hippie459MN]

Had 1.2 million on my 500hp 12.7 Series 60 Detroit before I rebuilt it out of piece of mine and has about 600k on it since the rebuild and still kicking along. Myself, after having 3 Detroits, they have all been VERY solid motors and been one of my favorites! Great power, great fuel mileage, and not too loud, and dont cost a fortune to fix like some others. Never owned a Cummins but a buddy had a red top that was a solid motor for him. Owned 2 Cats. They are good motors for pulling heavy and thats about it if you ask me. The ones I had got poor fuel mileage, were loud, and everything was 10x more expensive cause it said Cat on it. They did have great bottom end power for pulling heavy. Like I said, great motors for heavy haul and dirt haulers. Just a note, all of my Detroits are older non emissions/egr motors.

[@brentb5303]

I just gave up my 6nz to a dd15. The automatic dd15 is garbage. I'm about to get her tuned up. I will give you a honest report on it. The old Pete 379 with the 6nz was a nice rig. I will have to see on this freightliner. I'm not impressed so far.

[@elljay4587]

Kevin Morris I agree with you 100% . I have 5 60s a C-12, a 3406E, and a DD15. I always say the series 60 might not win the race up the hill, but it always wins the race to the bank. That's the one I want to win

[@matthewhansen5008]

Lots of glider trucks have the series 60 put in them

[@paullabbe9505]

Owned a 60 series Detroit and a Cat 3406. Both engines were great, just had to lean each engines power sweet spot. Sold each truck around 750k miles.Never touched the power train other than regular service. I did use an APU on each truck.

[@nickl3872]

That's awesome Dave, I don't have experience with truck engines , but glad they got the lettuce king running

[@ferrellparker3176]

cummins N 14 I had 2 in different rigs they were great.

[@cataclysmic911]

Detroit Diesel 12V92 with a 18 speed was insane. Fully loaded over 100mph in the desert...back in the day. Boss wanted me to open er up and see what she’ll do. She still had plenty o throttle. Giddy up go. Fav engine I think was Cat 3406B. Pull up the mtns all day long.

[@chuckgilly]

I think he gave the Cat 3406B a bad rap too.

[@JCA-Z]

No doubt them 12v92's could run like an alter boy running from a priest but when you hit any steep grades you were living in 5th or 6th gear.

[@darthhauler9947]

I can top that. Drove a 97 Freightliner once with a Series 60 Detroit. It came stock with a 10 speed direct, but ninth gear dropped a bearing out in California. Didn't have the money to repair it, so I had my brother bring out a 13 speed double overdrive from dad's old Freightliner. Had it installed, drive line shortened and carrier bearing adjusted, and started driving it again Where once I had trouble doing 80 mph, I could now do 85 without splitting my top gear. Just once, I had to know. Dropped off a tall hill, got the call that the road was clear for miles, long and straight road, decided to go for it. Topped the hill at 85, split my gear to run 1500 rpms in the final slot, and stomped on it. Since my truck's speedometer topped out at 85, had no idea how fast I was going but I was passing cars like they were standing still. Topped the other end of the valley and climbed the steep hill fully grossed out without dropping below 85. I know it was stupid, but that was years ago when I was young and dumb.

[@kainhall]

@@JCA-Z classic case of HP sells engines..... torque wins races (pulls tons up hills)??

[@lonewolf6209]

I have a 1992 western star 4900 with a 13 speed and a C15 3606B love this truck this thing well move any thing

[@louiszierlein5814]

I drove the old 350 and big cam 400 for years....still love them. Then I bought a 2000 International with a 60 series Detroit. I don't know how it was set up, but I could run with just about anything out there and still averaged over 8 mpg. All I ever did was change the oil and one alternator. I don't know how long it would have run, because I came off the road and sold it a few years ago. I drove almost everything ever made over the years, and the 60 series is still my favorite.

[@sebastiangarla8558]

Love ur channel Dave btw. I'll keep my 550 CAT w an 18 speed it's a 6NZ. 1,820,000 miles on her and she's still going strong

[@raymondcanzanese3344]

N-14 Had 2 of them Best Motor ever built to this day Work Horse

[@niteclydn]

3rd had to have been the 290 Cummins i ran in a Ford Cabover. No matter how cold it was she'd start, and i took TONS of abuse

[@docrofo2573]

I truly appreciate the content that you put out

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you Robert!

[@niteclydn]

My 2nd would've had to been the pre emission series 60. I had a 12 liter in a FLD, i pulled hopper with it, didnt have tons of power but it was SUPER reliable