What Are The Best Diesel Engines Ever?

As you guys might've noticed, we've made a lot of different videos about diesel engines. At the end of the day, there are a lot of really cool engines out there, but some of them are better than others, and because of that I wanted to make a list of what I consider to be the best diesel engines of all time.

Keep in mind, this list isn't in really any particular order, because quite frankly I don't think it's fair to outright claim one diesel as the best of all of them, because they all have pros and cons and some are better at specific tasks than others.

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[Dustrunnersauto]

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[samwalker]

I worked at International's Melrose Park Works for years where the DT466 engine was produced. It was rare for one to fail the final RPM testing. I over saw many aspects of it's manufacture and can assure anyone that it was originally as bullet proof as they came. Original Crankshafts were forged, hardened, then straightened before grinding. I knew the straightening operators well and asked one to push the bending operation to the limit just to see if the crank could be broken, he did, and no dice. That crank would not break even when bent to a ridiculous angle over and over again! Talk about tough. Towards the end of production they switched to a casting. It was easy to break one even if the operator didn't try. The EPA basically killed the DT466. To keep costs down International had to look for cheaper alternatives in many components. The fuel injection system became a nightmare. It was called "The Legend" during it's heyday. I had my picture taken with the last DT466 Block machined on 5-13-1993! I loved your presentation. Thanks.

[armandoaragon]

This is a US available list pretty much. Missed the Nissan TD27, TD 42, Toyota 1HZ, Mercs OM606, Isuzu 4JJ1 and so many more 4 and 6 cyl diesel that are very reliable

[Randy.E.R]

I am glad you started with the International DT466. I am a fleet mechanic for a public utility, the majority of our manlifts and digger trucks are powered by the DT and have been for many years. Most are low mileage but have a lot of hours since they merely drive to a jobsite and idle all day to drive the PTO.

Everything you said is true, the base engine is the best, hands down. One Navistar was forced to add EGR cooling and aftertreatment systems it ruined the DT. Especially here in the California desert where it gets to 115F for weeks at a time. And since our trucks idle all day, the aftertreatment systems never get a chance to burn off.

It pisses me off when a cherry mechanic fresh out of trade school hires on and complains about what a POS the DT is. Every problem we have with the engine is caused by the EGR cooling or aftertreatment. The newbies can't seem to understand that.

[justinredman]

Since you were speaking of Inline-6, light duty diesels, and mechanical injection; when I put all three of those things together I get the Mercedes OM606

[austin]

The Rock Quarry I used to work at had an entire fleet of quarry trucks with the Cat C27 engines in them. A few of them had over 25, 000 hours on the original engine. I realize that’s probably quite a bit larger than anything on your list but I still think it’s an awesome engine.

[cnf]

Best two light duty diesels are probably the 7.3 powerstroke and the 12 valve Cummins. Although, Personally I prefer the 12 valves because mechanical simplicity. Medium duty, the CAT 3126’s are very good, and the DT-466P’s are outstanding. The 3406B CAT’s are great, the Gen 3 855 big cams are phenomenal, and the 2 stroke Detroit’s are very good and the roar of them makes them perhaps the best sounding engine ever…that’s what I like to tell the 6.0 and the 6.4 powerstroke guys when they’re like ‘yeah, they’re unreliable and plagued with emissions and poorly designed…but they sound the best!’ And I say ‘ever heard a 2 stroke Detroit?’ Then they go cry themselves to sleep cause I just took away the only thing they had going for them.

[onetireonfire]

There should be a documentary series on Detroit 2 stroke diesels. With hundreds more parts in them compared to typical inline 6 4 stroke and still be reliable, a marvel of engineering . They must have been fitted to more machines than nearly any other engine series or manufacturer in history.

[josefrobbins]

The Detroit 6-71, aka "The Screaming Jimmy". I think that engine should have its own video. Not because it was a 2 Stroke, but because it was put in everything!
Peterbilt
Kenworth
Brockway
Autocar
White
Diamond T
International
Mack
GMC

Chevrolet
Ford
Dodge
Allis Chalmers Dozers
Fiat Dozers
Insley Excavators
Chamberlain Tractors
John Deere Tractors
Water Pumps
Generators
Terex Loaders and Bulldozer

The list goes on! While not Detroit's most powerful, and packaging was not the best...but it was their most versatile, used, loved and recognized engine in the industry.

[joshkiej]

- Pretty much all VW PD diesels
- BMW M57 engine series
- Mercedes OM606
- Scania DC16 just for the sheer power and torque it makes
- fiat 1.9jtd
- mercedes 2.1 diesel
- not a road car but deserves an honerable mention: peugeot 908. 5.5L TT v12 diesel with 730hp and 890ft lbs of torque in a 900kg car...

[Rossco]

I love the air cooled deutz engines. There was a 5cyl available in the U.S for a short time in some gm trucks, and IVECO vans

[ust]

The DT466 was originally a farm tractor engine that was repurposed as a truck engine. The one good diesel that International made. Pretty much bulletproof.

[knoll]

I was so happy when you mentioned the Mack E7 in your honourable mentions. I have worked on many different engines, but the E7 has proven to be one of the most indestructible engines. Not much power, but they run forever. I have worked in a fleet with Mack garbage trucks with over a million city miles and still start and run flawlessly.

[wkjeep]

great video! I sure did like how you mentioned the 1.9 TDI from VW. had one for a long time and super reliable. Also to add was the Mercedes that was put in the 07-09 jeep Grand Cherokee.

[CaptainRudy]

1. 7.3L powerstroke
2. 12V Cummins
3. LBZ duramax

[edivanedevlin]

Worked on a fishing boat that had a 671 Detroit diesel. It ran endlessly. Loved that engine.

[tacticaldorito]

Not a bad list. I’ve run and worked on everything on the list, our JD 466s will be running for years. The 619 is best sitting on the iron pile with a Cummins repower in its place.

[aaronwilcox]

How bout those Air Deutz engines. I've seen those work in underground hardrock mining operations where the ambient rock temp was probably 120-130*F and those things were tough. The Detroit diesel and Mercedes engines were around but the Air Deutz ran hotter and seemed to tolerate those awful conditions better. I'm also thinking that having the independent removable cylinders is also a plus

[Trump]

I’m shocked you didn’t mention the GM 2 stroke diesels for a small high speed engine the 6-71N is just about impossible to beat. And for a larger medium speed the 567, 645, and 710 EMDs are just about the best diesels ever built. Worked on a 16-645 that had more then 200, 000 hours on her and had never been rebuilt to the best of my knowledge! Don’t get me wrong it had its power assemblies changed numerous times along with rod and main bearings, but the crank had never been out and no machine work had ever been done. Power assemblies and bearings are maintenance not an overhaul.

[michaelbayerl]

I know this is way out of your subject here, but I own a '11 BMW 335d with M57 3.0L I6 biturbo engine with 425 ft-lb torque @1, 750 rpm and 265 hp. That powerplant in a little 4dr compact sedan is an insane combination stock. Apparently, it's super responsive to quick, cheap chip tuning, too.