Just realized I should have picked the Cat engine over the Cummins for that job truck

I had to choose between a rebuilt Cat 3126 and a reman Cummins ISB for my 2000 Ford F-650 last month. I went with the Cummins because it was cheaper upfront, about $1,200 less. But now after 60 days of hauling heavy loads, I'm dealing with a finicky injection pump and it's burning more oil than I expected. Has anyone else regretted a swap based on price instead of reliability?

3 comments

3 Comments

robin5911mo agoMost Upvoted

friend of mine had the same issue with the ISB, swapped to a Cat and never looked back.

lee8471mo ago

Read an article the other day about some guy who ran both back to back on the same truck. Said the Cat pulled way harder going up grades but drank a little more fuel doing it. Depends what you want out of it I guess. My buddy's old man always swore by the mechanical Cats, said the electronics on the ISB just added headaches down the road.

danielnelson1mo ago

Bet on the Cat every time if you're pulling heavy. Extra fuel cost is worth not dealing with electronic gremlins later.