harry_gill:
Hiya,
Ah’ yes C/F, but you’ve got your hauliers hat on here, now put your hired
hands hat on now and would you give a monkey’s about fuel consumption
and would you be happier driving something that would pull better and
keep you warm and not spend most of your working day choking on those
awful Gardner fumes invisible in the cab yes but in the cab yes. They was
a true gaffers motor, give me a ■■■■■■■ or a Roller anytime.
I think engine spec sheets are generally good enough and there’s not a lot of difference on paper at least between the 8LXB v 250 ■■■■■■■ in terms of respective outputs.If you wanted an NA motor I’d guess the 8LXB had to be the best default choice.Nothing much if anything to lose in terms of go but probably lots to gain in fuel and maintenance costs over high mileages and hours.
I’d guess that can be the only reason why such a rarity got built.Quick enough to get the job done and cheaper to run than the ■■■■■■■ over high mileages, in a cheap ( the cheapest ? ) to buy fleet motor.
I’m sure Bewick only raised the topic because he’s got some regrets with hindsight on all those missed retirement funds in buying 8 LXB Atkis instead of Big J’s. 
