i was wondering which is better 12 or 24. i have a car but am going to buy a cummins and was wondering which is better over all i live in MN and it will be a daily driver. what would be better on fuel,ease of moding, reliableity, cold weather starting, just over all

 

12 valve IMHO they are simple

 

Asking that in the "12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain" section is sure to get you some biased opinions.

Both of them are great engines and both of them have their problems albeit very few of them compared to those that Ford and Chevy have had with their diesels. For simplicity I'd say 12V, for a DD I might lean toward a 24V since it will be in a newer truck. Also, I'd bet that the 24V's get better fuel economy. Either way, they have been around long enough that we have figured out fixes for any common problems (KDP, 24V Lift Pump) and they can be corrected before they become a major issue.

John

 

i'd say the 12v. i just got mine and wow its easy to work on. but like what atc250r said for a DD the 24v newer truck nicer ride haha

 

skog, get yourself to the classifieds here and look at DHorn33s 97 Ext. cab, he seemed like he took very good care of his truck, and the price is very attractive for what it is.

He is in Minnesota as well!

BTW, if they made a better year than 1997, I haven't seen it.......

 

Love my 12 valve

 

It comes down to what you want. The 24V head is a much better head power and efficiency wise but it takes longer to adjust valves. The big difference is in the fuel delivery systems. The 24V has a great torque curve in stock form and can be modded by simply adding a chip. For all out horsepower(not a good idea in a daily driver), the 12V will flow more fuel. The 12V fuel system is considerably more reliable than the electronic 24V one with a weak transfer pump.

I like the driving characteristics of the 24V better but the reliability of the 12V is much better. You need to decide which one is more important to you.

 

thanks guys and im new to this site so i didnt know i posted in the 12 valve section till after. and i am a diesel tech just out of college so i dont think i will have to worrie about the time it will take to adj valves if they are like the big thumpers

 

12 valve is much, much more simple. It's a lot more reliable, less expensive to work on, a little less rattly in the upper end, and well, as my signature shows, I suppose I'm biased.

With 24 valves, the trouble is, when your lift pump dies and takes out the VP-44 with it, it's around $1200 to get it back going again. It's completely unpredictable when it will happen, and if you get a 47RE automatic with this, it will likely prove to pull pennies, nickles,and dimes out of your pocket for a long time to come. But beware - many 12 Valves are beaten hard, and may need ball joints & other expensive components. I guess what I would reccommend - especially in today's economy, is to wait until you have save 33% more than the truck will cost, so you have enough $$$ for maintance and repairs (not modificaitons) in the first year. Plan for 50% more if you modify it.

 

???? The 24v has 12 rockers just like the 12v. I find setting valves on the 24v easier. Its easier to keep the adjuster screws from turning when tightening the jam nut with an allen wrench (24v) instead of a flat head screwdriver (12v).

I like the 12v better, but I find the 24v starts better in the cold than the 12v, and will hold an idle better cold than the 12v. Once warm, they are both the same. 12v is more fun to work on, cheaper to mod, and is more reliable. Thats why the 12v is my daily driver now.

 

12v imo, but can you find a good one? It may end up giving you more problems in the end.

 

anyone know of any good trucks in the 7 to10 thousand range

 

anyone know of any good trucks in the 7 to10 thousand range

 

They're around. Just need to find them.
How far are you willing to drive?

 

Where are you?

Prices have dropped significantly, what are you looking for, 4x4, 2x4, Ext. cab, etc?