Bear with me, I am fighting a nasty cold, so what I am trying to ask may not be clear. Here's to hoping it is:
I have an '05 M2 106 with 4 squirrels.........an MBE 900 rated at 250 hp. As Leo has stated in previous posts, I should be thankful for any mileage past 400k on this engine. I'm asking if this is what you have experienced in driver trucks, or trucks you operated yourself. Here is why I ask: I am the 3rd owner of this truck. I know both of the previous owners, and they were both as meticulous about mechanical maintenance as I am. Although our truck is due for a valve lash adjustment, I see no other reasons why it would not go for another 2-300,000 miles. She shows no signs of any mechanical difficulties.
The reason for my post is this: I am looking to add another truck. A certain dealer has a glut of trucks that I may want, but many of them have Mercedes engines. I am leery of buying a CAT engine, as I am told that work on them is expensive, and, judging by the recent posts in this forum, something small can cause something big to happen, and it will hurt financially. I wish the MBE had a wet sleeve design. That is the real reason I was originally enticed by the CAT engine....the fact that an in-frame could be done on it. The costs of all the above scare me.
The 900.....
This engine enjoys relatively good fuel economy. When tuned right (and conditions are favorable), this engine has gotten the better part of 11 mpg. Longevity is a question.
Here's the real gist of my post: I am trying to write an accurate plan for future truck acquisition, and commensurate capital reserves for each truck. I called a W.W. Williams office this week, and was told that Mercedes does not sell long blocks; only complete engine assemblies. Price: $19k. That is the part ONLY. I am then told by said parts counter man that my engine's hp can be adjusted to 300hp with the swapping out of 'nozzles' (injector cones?). Last, he tells me that a large CAT dealer in Michigan has done rebuilds on these MBE engines, but they are not warrantable. That would seem to me to be the easiest route (and probably the cheapest).
I am looking for any input anyone has on this subject. Ideally, I would have a Cummins, but do not believe they were offered until 2008. I am not there yet, financially.
Let me have it, please.
I have an '05 M2 106 with 4 squirrels.........an MBE 900 rated at 250 hp. As Leo has stated in previous posts, I should be thankful for any mileage past 400k on this engine. I'm asking if this is what you have experienced in driver trucks, or trucks you operated yourself. Here is why I ask: I am the 3rd owner of this truck. I know both of the previous owners, and they were both as meticulous about mechanical maintenance as I am. Although our truck is due for a valve lash adjustment, I see no other reasons why it would not go for another 2-300,000 miles. She shows no signs of any mechanical difficulties.
The reason for my post is this: I am looking to add another truck. A certain dealer has a glut of trucks that I may want, but many of them have Mercedes engines. I am leery of buying a CAT engine, as I am told that work on them is expensive, and, judging by the recent posts in this forum, something small can cause something big to happen, and it will hurt financially. I wish the MBE had a wet sleeve design. That is the real reason I was originally enticed by the CAT engine....the fact that an in-frame could be done on it. The costs of all the above scare me.
The 900.....
This engine enjoys relatively good fuel economy. When tuned right (and conditions are favorable), this engine has gotten the better part of 11 mpg. Longevity is a question.
Here's the real gist of my post: I am trying to write an accurate plan for future truck acquisition, and commensurate capital reserves for each truck. I called a W.W. Williams office this week, and was told that Mercedes does not sell long blocks; only complete engine assemblies. Price: $19k. That is the part ONLY. I am then told by said parts counter man that my engine's hp can be adjusted to 300hp with the swapping out of 'nozzles' (injector cones?). Last, he tells me that a large CAT dealer in Michigan has done rebuilds on these MBE engines, but they are not warrantable. That would seem to me to be the easiest route (and probably the cheapest).
I am looking for any input anyone has on this subject. Ideally, I would have a Cummins, but do not believe they were offered until 2008. I am not there yet, financially.
Let me have it, please.
