Engine choice?

Donald Lehman · Jan 31, 2016

I have recently been seeing several International trucks for sale with the DT466 engine in them . I am assuming it is an in-line 6. Our 4700 has the 7.3 V-8. Any body on here had any experience with both engines and can give a comparison of the two? Good points, bad points, engine life, cold start, etc?

About everything I've been hearing about newer Navistar engines and International service seems to indicate they are headed in the same direction as the tractors if things don't change soon.

Billy NY · Jan 31, 2016

We had a single axle tractor, fleet truck from Sysco, that had a DT 466 and and a 10 speed transmission, (not a 5 spd and 2 spd rear). Yes the DT 466 is inline. This truck was fit with a Bibeau dump body and was a very nice small single axle for tight places, small jobs and it had plenty of power, the 10 spd was a good fit in my opinion. At the lumber yard we had single axle IH trucks with flatbeds and one box truck, all those had 7.3's I think I'd prefer the DT 466, but from a drivers standpoint, and although I have done some repairs on them in our shop at the time, I can't really comment mechanically, except they did not take as good a care of their trucks as they should, both performed quite well.

the tractor vet · Jan 31, 2016

Look at it this way (1) the DT466 is easily rebuildable (2) Why feed 8 when 6 will make more torque , (3) why fight with glow plus on the 7.3 when the DT 466 has none.

DeltaRed · Jan 31, 2016

DT 466. inline 6. 7.3L (444ci) V8. Night and day difference.The 'DT' was designed as a tractor/truck engine. The 7.3 was/is a light duty pickup engine. IMHO,DT466 is a vastly superior engine. For a medium duty truck,466!

JD Seller · Jan 31, 2016

The DT466 is a much more rugged motor. So much so that the used market for them is depressed. They just do not fail often enough for them to be worth much for salvage. I used to scrap old school busses. Usually the tires and drive line would make you a profit and then sell the body for scrap. Well when the diesel DT466 buses started to get older it did not work anymore because the DT466 would not bring as much money. Now this was 20 years ago too. I think they are bringing better money now as guys are repowering with them to replace gas motors.

Mian points:
1) No glow plug issues compared with the 7.3
2) They are a TRUCK motor not a pickup motor. Meaning 500,000 mile motor or more.
3) I just like the inline six over the V-8 motor for it is simpler motor.

J. Schwiebert · Jan 31, 2016

There are several versions of the DT 466. They have a good reputation. You did not say if you are asking about the electronic version or the older non electronic versions.

coonie minnie · Jan 31, 2016

I have a truck with a 466, they are good engines. If there is a weak spot, it is the engine oil cooler. It is somewhat common for them to begin leaking, and then you end up with coolant in the oil and oil in the coolant. If not cought in time, a big mess!

lenray · Jan 31, 2016

Have the DT466 in a IHC PAYSTAR 5000 DOUBLE axle dump truck. Great engine............

gbs · Jan 31, 2016

the company I work used them for years, as with any other engine there are good and bad of the same model, the best we had were the ones with the inline injection pumps excellent cold starting plenty of steam for the size of the engine,the latter electronic mongrels always had some little time consuming costly issue, me I would walk past a row of the electronic ones to get to one of the older mechanical controlled ones for me to run and maintain

Bob Bancroft · Jan 31, 2016

When I first upgraded from a gas to diesel truck, I was shopping for a DT466 because of its great reputation. Smooth, quiet, rugged, etc. As usual, my funding wasn't as big as my wishes. The "S" series I was looking for got shoved aside by an old "Fleetstar" 2050A. (Maybe it was 2010A? I don't remember!) It was a 1978, last year for the Fleetstar. Many told me it must have been a retrofit. It wasn't. I had the line setting ticket from IH. This one still had the rotary injector pump. That was the only part I worked on in the 10 years I had it. When it went down the road, it was running as good as ever.

buickanddeere · Jan 31, 2016

If the rest of IH farm tractors had been as good as the DT series engines in them. IH would still be in the tractor business and probably #1.

Stuart · Jan 31, 2016

You need to learn the facts. I have never heard a more inaccurate statement in my life.

D beatty · Jan 31, 2016

The about last 8 years I drove for commercial freight line I drove a Ford L series with a DT 466 with a 5 speed transmission . with 2 speed rear end for 4 years. The last 4 years I drove an IH with a Dt466 and a straight 7 speed transmission and would haul azz down the road and it was one of the best tractor I in the 38 years that I drove for them.

RustyS · Jan 31, 2016

(reply to post at 10:40:10 01/31/16)

the company I work for sells equipment mounted on the IH. The DT is b y far the more powerful and more reliable choice of the two engines per our customers. Now you can even get the cummins engine on an IH

Engine choice?

Donald Lehman

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Billy NY

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the tractor vet

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DeltaRed

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JD Seller

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J. Schwiebert

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coonie minnie

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lenray

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gbs

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Bob Bancroft

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buickanddeere

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Stuart

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D beatty

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RustyS

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