Posted 2009-12-23 1:20 PM (#114487) Subject: freightliner with mercedes
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Posts: 31
Any one had any experiences with a Freightlines Sport Chassis with a 330 HP mercedes. What are the pro's and cons of this motor vs. the Cat. With a 330 HP Mer. and a 4.63 rear end what kind of fuel milage should I expect. Thanks in advance
Posted 2009-12-23 2:37 PM (#114492 - in reply to #114487) Subject: RE: freightliner with mercedes
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Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by calfroper on 2009-12-23 1:20 PM
Any one had any experiences with a Freightlines Sport Chassis with a 330 HP mercedes. What are the pro's and cons of this motor vs. the Cat. With a 330 HP Mer. and a 4.63 rear end what kind of fuel milage should I expect. Thanks in advance
The MBE is not as loud as the Cat and a little smoother power, however the fuel mileage will be better on MBE.
As far as pros and cons that's going to be tuff to figure out they are both great engines..............
I guess right off the bat the pros for the MBE is less noise and smoother power range and a little better fuel mileage.
Pros for the CAT, they have been around for YEARS and proven that DIESEL really works!
I have not got to check the fuel mileage on a Freightliner with that engine, but just guessing I would think around 12 or so loaded. But my opinion with a rig like that and the cost of them, I would say if that is something you need and can use the fuel mileage does not really matter.
Posted 2009-12-23 2:55 PM (#114499 - in reply to #114487) Subject: RE: freightliner with mercedes
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Would a 07 or later model's be "pre emmisions". I see that advertised about some of these trucks for the obvious reason, but what's the rule of thumb on that? Thanks
Posted 2009-12-23 3:13 PM (#114501 - in reply to #114487) Subject: RE: freightliner with mercedes
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The pre emission models are preffered because of fuel and power consumption issues. More smog equipment equals less power and more fuel. You had better not expect 12 on the mpg, most likely less than 10. They are for pulling, they are not a power house unless you have a 450hp model, they are purchased to stop things that 1 tons will not. Another downer for the CAT is that it cannot be rebuilt if you have cylinder issues. Its a non sleeved engine unlike detroit/MBE, international, or cummins. The new preferred power of that year trucks would be the mercedes. They all have issues, I know of one with 60k miles and its leaking down. Its under warranty but only by mercedes/freightliner.
You can get some really good deals on mdt's at the moment. I have seen them from 65k t 85k that are in excellent cond with few miles. A good 10 to 20k under what they were a year ago. Go pre emission if you can. I also heard freightliner was going to release some pre emission motors but i think they were going to be the 450hp /112 truck.
Posted 2009-12-23 7:24 PM (#114517 - in reply to #114487) Subject: RE: freightliner with mercedes
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i would think the frieghtliners in 07 switched at some time to emission vehicles., therefore the 05, 06, and some 07 are pre emission. IH had some run into 08 that were pre emission.
Posted 2009-12-26 5:29 PM (#114572 - in reply to #114501) Subject: RE: freightliner with mercedes
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Location: Farmington, IL 61531
Originally written by threeman on 2009-12-23 3:13 PM
..... Another downer for the CAT is that it cannot be rebuilt if you have cylinder issues. Its a non sleeved engine unlike detroit/MBE, international, or cummins. The new preferred power of that year trucks would be the mercedes. They all have issues, I know of one with 60k miles and its leaking down.....
You are correct about the CAT being non sleeved, however they are rebuildable and resleevable. BUT, when resleeved the life expectancy is not as long as the original new condition due to the fact that the cylinder can't stand as much bulge when it fires as it did when new with a one piece cylinder that was part of the block. The resleeving is done by boring out part of the original cylinder and replacing it with a new cylinder insert.
My vote would be for a Mercedes, Cummins, then a CAT. The CAT motor is the least reliable of them all in my opinion, just not enough displacement for the horsepower and torque rating they run.