98rammer

[quote author=AlpineRAM link=board=7;threadid=22932;start=0#msg216084 date=1070231766]
Also the question about reliability is not a question about longevity. I think that it is possible to build a reliable (meaning starts in the morning, can be driven around without parts falling off) engine out of the IB that sports 500 or 700 hp. I don't think that these would sport good enough longevity for the commercial truck market, driveability for the average driver and foolproofness for the less gifted operators.
[/quote]


actually, i find that to be a very good point. these trucks aren't usually driven as hard as a trailer truck unless it's those members here who haul for a living or do a lot of rv pulling.

Tom

dave0415

My DTC in the 400 - 440 HP range. Now has 489,000 miles on the motor. It is a hard working pickup. It seldom moves unless it is hauling my boat delivery trailer that weighs 4800lbs empty and when all 53' of it is loaded with boats/trailer/motor combos pushes 26,000lbs and creates lots!! of wind drag. This motor went the first 377,000 miles without anything other than two valve lash checks with only one rocker that had to be adjusted once, oil & filter changes. Unfortunatly at that point something inside the pump let go and when I had it rebuilt the shop goofed on the alignment of the timing lock/governor assembly. (Causing many headaches and expense over the course of the last year.) And like most of us find when we do end up tearing down this motor I still had OEM hone marks on the cylinders. Now that the pump timing is back where it belongs I look forward to many more reliable miles from the motor. The NV4500 trans is a whole different story.

thumper 549

Just one thing here..some of us have had stock eng. with no mods fall apart under normal operating cond....
Nothing is written in stone..b.t.d.t.