What are some engines to avoid not matter what.

Any 95-03 engine will be better than any post 2004 engine. That being said the older engines aren't perfect by any means. Detroits had bullgear problems, c12 cats had head gasket problems etc..

Cats are known to get a little worse fuel mileage than the others.

From a purely economic standpoint, the DDC3 and DDC4 detroits are hard to beat.

 

Mine may not qualify because you are looking for pre EGR. But here it is. The caterpillar SDP series engines are probably the worst they ever put out. The DPF will cost you $5k to remove, then you have emissions cops issues. The MPG I am averaging is 5.7. That is after I had a full warranty rebuild including new CAC and DPF. They said they had never seen an engine with so much soot through it before. I consider myself VERY lucky with mine because the aftermarket DPF they put on actually functions the way it should. Mind you, I have to keep the RPM at 1400 and not work it very hard for extended periods of time or else it won't initiate a cook cycle properly. The engine needs to put out 550 horse for the DPF to properly work. When the CEL comes on it de-rates the power. This will, if you let it go, eventually destroy the DPF and you will need cat to come out and fix it for you, on the side of the road. It is just a heck of a lot of headaches. Before I had the rebuild it averaged 4 mpg. I installed a fuel wire after the rebuild and also 5 axles of MB wheel bearings. The bearings got me the .7 and the fuel wire gets me something like 1/4. I am looking forward to the day this truck is paid off, but I don't expect it to last much longer after I make the final payment.


Happy trucking.

 

stay away from exotic Paccar MX (DAF105, Pete, KW), and avoid MAN D20 series engines (Maxxforce)....

 

Easy, get a Series 60 or an N14 Cummins.

 

Avoid, like something that'll give you AIDS, the Volvo D16. In fact, it just might be able to give you AIDS. Whether it can or can't, you don't want it. Sure, that 16.1 liters gives you plenty of brunt... when it's functioning properly. And there lies your problem.

 

Pretty solid motor. 14 liters even, good reputation behind it. Celect was what they called them once they went electronic, Celect Plus was the electronics package from 97 onwards, IIRC. Great for beating through the mountains with a set of 3.73s, still substantial enough to turn 3.55s. I believe the red tops were available in up to 500 hp, though 435 or 460 seems more commonplace (but that can be rectified easily enough).

 

Yep, D16 was made for heavy haulers and no reason to own FH16 truck if you tow regular trailer. All parts are too expencive

But I cant say the same about Merceds 16L engine (OM502LE). Becouse it is just enlarged to 8 cylinders regular engine. Pistons, bearings and other parts are the same.