I saw this on another group. Pure marketing. I6 versus V8.

http://www.brattain.com/bussales/pag.../365vs3126.pdf

 

Wow. I like some of their quotes. "Modern design provides increased durability" Really? We all know how reliable the 6.0L powerstroke is. Notice they left out the head gasket issues, or those sweet plastic retainers on the rocker arms. When they have to brag about their plastic fuel filter canster vs. a spin on, and how quiet they are, they're scraping the bottom of the barrel. Just look at the pics, which one looks easier to work on to you? I believe there is an engine under all that crap on top of the blue one, isn't there? I guess the service hours it takes to get to the parts on the engine isn't included in their "maintenance cost" formula. That comparison isn't even fair. I think they should have at least picked the DT466 (unless you can't get them in busses anymore). As much as I dislike those gutless boat anchors at least that's a fair comparison.

 

I'm not convinced by their claim that glow plugs are better than a grid heater.

Having seen gas engines start clicking and clacking from hydraulic lifter problems, I'm also not convinced that having solid lifters that require adjustment every 100,000 is a bad thing- especially on a straight 6 where they are easy to get to.

Not having a pre-filter fuel heater or a water in fuel light, though, seemed somewhat valid?

 

From what I have heard the genuie International VT365 is better than the Ford issued 6.0. Most of the problems with the Ford engine are form things thier engineers argued with Navistar on. I.E. Headgaskets and injectors.

 

I wonder why they aren't going after the ISB? The C-7 isn't really even in the same class as the VT365, but the ISB is direct competition. Many of the "weaknesses" they cite about the C-7 could also be said of the ISB.

Who uses a 30 qt oil pan in a school bus anyway? All our 3126/C-7's (in class 7 trucks and one really doggy class 8 truck) have 24 qt pans.

 

My buddy works at the local school bus garage...everything they have is IH, and they all hold 30qts, no matter if it's a DT466, DT408, DT444, or a DT365. He also says the VT365 have all the same problem he hears about in the Ford pickup, and the new DT466's with the VVT charger and the other emmisions crap is "almost" as bad. Not near as reliable as the old DT466E's, and the DT444E's!

Chris