What's the difference between a Cat 3406B and a 3406E

Interesting. As far as air in the fuel and not starting I've fought less with my 5EK 3406E after replacing the main fuel line to the head, than doing a regular service replacing the 2 fuel filters on our newer MXS C-15.

 

A "C" block and "B" block are the same, crank has wider rod journals on a "C" I have a C mechanical and love it, How are you running this motor in California? I thought they outlawed everything up to 2007

 

Once you go cat you won't look back. They all have their faults and eccentricities for sure, but my ol girl has been pretty reliable for sure.

 

The "C" block was more robust in the main bearing area, the early "E" used the "C" block, it had problems a lot of them, the second generation of "E" had a different block and the fuel blead was a lot better. They made the cams a lot better, still had a few problems with rockerarms. but that was soon fixed.
Many operators swear they became the best engine Cat ever produced. That is when driven gentle and serviced. Adding waist oil to a fuel system that has $750 bollar injector and would plug up the filters is 100% BS they did that in the early 70's and it destroyed the injector that had very low poping preasure and it destroyed them.
Cat use to put a decal on all their eqipment buy clean fuel and keep it clean. never seen a decal that said to crap in the fuel or add anything.
Just a thought!

 

1994 and older are exempt till 2016....they can Roll the coal for 2 more years!

 

The first run of any engine is the worst. They only test a few. When mass produced the problems arise. Having the sense to redesign weak area's shows dedication to customer satisfaction. I'm sure the C block was used because it was already produced and seemed like a win win for cost. I used a C block to build my engine due to it being stronger yes. But my original B is on a stand lubed and covered in the shop. Clean fuel is common sense. Some are dumb enough to put used oil in tanks that's there mistake. Although none is needed if you feel you must use new oil. However they don't make mechanic in a can yet. Common sense again says you drive anything but a two stroke gentle it will last longer. Everybody brags on the n 14 yea it's a good engine but just an improved big cam they had decades to get right. When cummins changed to the ISX or overhead cams look at the problems they had. That's why cummins kept the n14 in production with the ISX to keep numbers good while improving weak points.

The peec and first E really hurt CAT that is true. Made a lot of Detroit fans for sure. Some went back others are satisfied with less than the best. Admitting and fixing mistakes is good business. Arrogance and insisting there isn't a problem will ruin the richest. Of course I'm not as smart as an engineer and haven't designed any engines so it seems simple to me.

 

We just finally wore out a B model. Never had an overhaul or inframe...1,930,000 miles. I'll stick with Cat!
Also, we run used engine oil in the fuel. Run it through (I forgot how many micron screen) and dump it back into tank along with some extra used engine/transmission oil from our local auto garage. Marvel Mystery Oil added to fuel every oil change. Regular oil changes every 12,000 miles. No injector problems. Replaced the head once due to water pump failure. Have air filters cleaned and reused. The last 60,000 miles you could tell the power was seriously going away. Finally, so much much crankcase pressure it would blow the oil filler cap off. Parked the truck and putting a replacement builder in its place as we speak.

 

3406 a,b,c were darn good motors...... I ran a b model(350 hp) in my 87 pete 362......Changed oil every 8k...Added marvel mystery to fuel once a month..NO PROBLEMS EVER!! I miss that motor

 

i know i loved my 425 cat after 2-3 671's

 

I also use marvel mystery oil, I fill my fuel filter up with it every time I change it and run it through the tanks, and also use it in the oil as well, never once had a problem