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Cat C12 opinions?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Paddletrucker, Feb 28, 2012.

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  1. Feb 28, 2012 #1
    Paddletrucker

    Paddletrucker Medium Load Member

    333
    322
    Apr 4, 2010
    Out in the sticks, where it gets dark at night
    0
    I'm looking at a truck I really like, but it has a C12 in it. I don't have any experience with that engine. Don't know anything about it at all. I'm running a 3176 boat anchor that's served me well over the years, but it was never any kind of powerhouse at all. It did always get around 7 mpg, though.

    I'm looking for opinions on the C12 from folks who have owned them. What could I expect as far as power, reliability, and fuel consumption?
     
    Paddletrucker, Feb 28, 2012
    Paddletrucker, Feb 28, 2012
    #1
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  3. Feb 28, 2012 #2
    billandlori

    billandlori Medium Load Member

    357
    106
    Sep 5, 2010
    Stratford, Ontario, Canada
    0
    We had a C12 (435hp) in our 2000 FL Classic. Great little engine. Got great MPG and pulled almost as good as some 475 C15 I ran with.

    Slick900 has one in a W900 with a tuner on it and it runs "pretty good" lol. He can give you the details.....

    I sold it when it had just over 1 million miles on it and I only put a head gasket and water pump on it. I replaced the turbo at the same time cause it was all apart.

    IMO its a good package.

    Bill
     
    billandlori, Feb 28, 2012
    billandlori, Feb 28, 2012
    #2
    Paddletrucker and The Challenger Thank this.
  4. Feb 28, 2012 #3
    wrenchead

    wrenchead Bobtail Member

    37
    5
    Dec 6, 2008
    ELK RIVER,MN
    0
    We have two. Both 435 hp. Strong good motors.
     
    wrenchead, Feb 28, 2012
    wrenchead, Feb 28, 2012
    #3
    Paddletrucker Thanks this.
  5. Feb 29, 2012 #4
    Shaggy76

    Shaggy76 Heavy Load Member

    831
    304
    Feb 22, 2012
    Orlando, FL
    0
    From a technician standpoint, they are easy to work on. Most repairs I have made to customer vehicles have been minor. Knock on wood, have yet to have one that needed any rods, mains, etc.
     
    Shaggy76, Feb 29, 2012
    Shaggy76, Feb 29, 2012
    #4
    Paddletrucker Thanks this.
  7. Feb 29, 2012 #5
    Slick900

    Slick900 Light Load Member

    66
    9
    Dec 8, 2009
    Waterloo Ontario
    0
    Yep,,,mine works "pretty good"!!! LOL
    Nice light engine if you get paid by weight!!!
    Ive been running mine for 2 years with no problems,,,gets better fuel mileage than the big blocks doing the same job im doing (140000 lb gross),,and has never left me stranded or caused me grief!!!
    The only real down fall that I would mention/complain about,,,is that the c-12's don't seem to have a nice quiet idle,,,not a nice smooth idle like the big dogs have,,,and its seems a bit loud in the cab,,,,at 1st I thought it was just mine,,but have talked to other guys with c-12's in different trucks,,petes,,sterling etc,,that have said the same thing about noise!!!
    Id own another truck with a c-12 without hessitation!!!
    Have heard of guys having waterpump problems,,my dad did,,,and on some earlier c-12's there is an updated cam follower that should be installed,,unless you like the sight of holes in your block!!!!
     
    Slick900, Feb 29, 2012
    Slick900, Feb 29, 2012
    #5
  8. Mar 1, 2012 #6
    Paddletrucker

    Paddletrucker Medium Load Member

    333
    322
    Apr 4, 2010
    Out in the sticks, where it gets dark at night
    0
    Thanks, I appreciate it. I can relate to the noise. My little scatterpillar isn't quiet, either. Add that it's in a drafty old FLD, and I'm used to the racket. LOL

    Funny you should mention water pump and cam followers.

    I've never felt like my 3176 has cooled right. I've replaced about everything and I still haven't been totally satisfied with how it cools. Still, though, it's been an incredibly reliable little motor.

    Cam followers? I had one fail and flaked a lobe off the cam. So she's down until I decide I want to rebuild it or get another truck. I'd rebuild it in a heartbeat if the sleeper was bigger. I still might. That little 40 inch flat top does get old, though.

    The truck I'm looking at is a '99 with 970K on it, so the cam follower thing scares me a little. I would like to run it a bit before tearing into it. I've been down over a month except when I've rented tractors. I need to get caught up a little before people start hollering. Of course my 3176 went 1.7 million, so who knows.

    Thanks again, everyone, for the info!
     
    Paddletrucker, Mar 1, 2012
    Paddletrucker, Mar 1, 2012
    #6
    blacklabel Thanks this.
  9. Mar 1, 2012 #7
    milskired

    milskired Road Train Member

    3,829
    1,401
    Jul 20, 2007
    Plainfield, IL
    0
    I changed a turbo out on a C-12 on a military truck with armor in my way in about 30 minutes. Great motors and super easy to work on!
     
    milskired, Mar 1, 2012
    milskired, Mar 1, 2012
    #7
  10. Mar 1, 2012 #8
    k whopper

    k whopper Light Load Member

    100
    13
    Sep 9, 2011
    milledgeville ga
    0
    i had a c-12 ran fine decent power only thing i ever done to it was a water pump it had about 760000 miles on it when i wrecked the truck:biggrin_2554:
     
    k whopper, Mar 1, 2012
    k whopper, Mar 1, 2012
    #8
  11. Mar 1, 2012 #9
    NadeauTrucking

    NadeauTrucking Light Load Member

    85
    45
    Jul 24, 2011
    Bristol, CT
    0
    The c-12's from around the early 2000's are great engines in my opinion. great power, very few problems.
     
    NadeauTrucking, Mar 1, 2012
    NadeauTrucking, Mar 1, 2012
    #9
  12. Jan 18, 2015 #10
    sdrockhauler

    sdrockhauler Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    Dec 1, 2013
    0
    Slick 900, this is an old post I am reading about your c 12 pulling 140000 gross. I am wandering how you had the c 12 set up and how long did the engine hold up pull7ng that k7nd of weight? It is now 2015 and this post is from 2009 so it would be a pretty good test. What were you pulling and what rearend gears and tranny did you have or still have. I have a 2000 pete with a 12 in it with 13 spd 355 rears. Trying to get more out of it but dont want to piss alot of good money away. Any help is appreciated.
     
    sdrockhauler, Jan 18, 2015
    sdrockhauler, Jan 18, 2015
    #10
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