354 Perkins vs 5.9 CTD

[WJune]

Just curious as to how they match up, power, economy, etc. Someone is parting a 79 F-350 with 354 Perkins an HD 5 spd. I know I can get an unbiased opinion here. :-laf

 

[JLEONARD]

Perhaps not totally unbiased, but I ran a Perkins T6. 354 in a boat for several years, and I continuously help other Perk owners. They are very popular in the marine arena.

There is no contast, Cummins is far better. More power, much better parts avalablity, more knowledge out there. The perkins downfall, and the reason they never made it big in the automotive arena is they cannot survive at the rpm necessary for a on the road vehicle.

Tractors, forklifts, boats, ok.

And look at it another way... the Perkins is a 50s design. Need I say more?



However, IF you are still inclined to get the Perkins, I DO know how to turn it up. And replace the Holset or Switzer 3 LD turbo(assuming that's what is on there) with a an H1C or HX35 that will be a nice upgrade.

 

[CToney]

I have seen the engine in tractors. It doesn't like to start when cold and by the looks of the intake and exhaust it is very restrictive. I would buy the truck and sell the motor and get a good 5. 9L for it. They also look way to complicated for me too many places to leak oil.

 

[MChildress]

I have two in tractors with over 3000 hrs never a problem. But like said above low RPM's in tractors.

 

[BAnsley]

Had drove many hours on a massey 1100 with one, had a crap load of hours worked fine but stuttered at low rpms like a race car. had it to many shops and a lot of parts changed and never fixed it? Ran across a fellow who had on in 79 k20 chevy backed by a dodge manual transmission of some sort, He said it bolts right up. never rode in it but was really tight had the firewall really beat in. he could hardly belive that I knew what he had under the hood by the smell and sound of the exhaust.



Later, BRIAN

 

[WJune]

Thanks for info guys. I don't need the Perkins, was thinking of it for a Ford friend.

 

[JLEONARD]

They also look way to complicated for me too many places to leak oil.

One very notorious place for them to leak oil is the right forward engine mount bolts... 2 of the 3 go into an oil gallery. Very common for them to leak... but a very easy job to reseal them.

 

[PToombs]

Thanks for info guys. I don't need the Perkins, was thinking of it for a Ford friend.

Anything would be an upgrade for him!

 

[Mhannink]

find a 3116 or i hear 3114's fit real well in the fords. they are touchy motors but once tuned and kept tuned they will RUN.

 

[WJune]

Unfortunatly for me, he has a 'free' 91 CTD intercooled to drop into his Ford. Shouldn't of told him to put a CTD in it! He bought the 91 I had been chasing 3yrs, for $300. He almost sold it to me for $400. , but discovered the reason it wouldn't turn over, was a broken flex plate. He pulled engine, I got remainder for $300. He could of sent it to scrapper for more, so I can't complain too much.