Best and worst diesel engines ever put in a big truck
 

:D I imagine this topic will get many opinions and responses. In your opinion what's the best diesel engine ever put in a truck? What about the worst? 8)

well for us the worst is the new VOLVO D-13

As a company driver, I like the Cummins ISX. Good power, fairly quiet and smooth running. Also, it seems to be pretty dependable. I've never had anything major happen to an ISX - maybe a belt here and there or a sensor or 2 - oh, and a starter.

Although I'm a full blooded Mack Truck fan, I would have to say the best Diesel engine ever used in trucks would have to be the "classic" big block Cummins. It was designed in the 1930's as a 672 cu. in. engine, then later punched out to 743 cu. in., and finally to 855 cu. in., and had a production run from the 1930's to the early 2000's, when the EPA finally put it out of production for emissions reasons.

Nearly a 70 year run, can't get much better than that.

As for the worst Diesel engine ever used in a truck? The 3208 Cat. What the hell were they thinking putting those in class 8 trucks. Cat has made some great truck engines, the 1693, the 3406 A,B,C, and E, the C12, C13, C15.

The 3208 was just a POS.

The 92 series Detroits. Put GM out of the truck engine business. The 3208 was junk. We had 1 in an 1800 Massey tractor. Threw a rod bout every 500 hrs.. Turned screamin rpm's (3300-3400). It was called a throwaway cat for a reason.

Best engine I've had was a 3406E and an N-14 PLUS comes in second. Every Detroit I've ever driven has not only come up short, but also spent time in the shop too often.

:D Was that 92 series the V/8 Detroit? 8)

Mack E-9 V8 500hp. THE BEST THERE WAS 8)

A couple of failures in the 1970s: The Allis Chalmers truck engine, and the Deutz air-cooled truck engine.

Worst Cummins: Signature 600. Hands down.