Dude, I almost envy you. After all that work and the engine lights up you'll have a smile ear to ear. I personally would use just straight water until you get it running and find any leaks and they are inevitable, that way NO antifreeze loss. As far as no fire, the only thing I can offer is to reprime the fuel filters again and again. I ran a C15 out of fuel and it challenged my skills to get it started again. I know it will be a major PITA but, go back and check all the basic stuff. I rebuilt a Cummins 250 and forgot to check power to the fuel solenoid, fixed that, fired right up. It's the simple stuff that might trip you up, BOL. Please let the forum know how you make out.

Originally Posted by Klleetrucking

Dude, I almost envy you. After all that work and the engine lights up you'll have a smile ear to ear. I personally would use just straight water until you get it running and find any leaks and they are inevitable, that way NO antifreeze loss. As far as no fire, the only thing I can offer is to reprime the fuel filters again and again. I ran a C15 out of fuel and it challenged my skills to get it started again. I know it will be a major PITA but, go back and check all the basic stuff. I rebuilt a Cummins 250 and forgot to check power to the fuel solenoid, fixed that, fired right up. It's the simple stuff that might trip you up, BOL. Please let the forum know how you make out.

Thanks, it means a lot! Actually have the truck running quite well right now, turns out I had the timing set incorrectly at the fuel pump. We fired it up for the first time on clean water in the radiator and had about half dozen or so little leaks here and there, so far it looks like they're all gone. Bad news is it looks like we need to tear it apart to diagnose a low oil pressure issue.

Double check your oil pressure with a manual gauge first if you haven't already. I would hate to see you tear it down after all this! Double check your pressure relief or regulator springs.

Originally Posted by Heavyd

Double check your oil pressure with a manual gauge first if you haven't already. I would hate to see you tear it down after all this! Double check your pressure relief or regulator springs.

Double checked it with a cheapo Sunpro mechanical gauge at 3 different spots on the engine and the oil pressure was low at every spot we tested it on. Dropped the oil pan and found two of the piston oil jets in the oil pan so according to the CAT manual that's my problem. Going to order the new parts on Monday and hopefully get it all back together so I can finally start making money with this truck rather than spend!

I assume you meant the devices that direct oil to the bottom of the piston for cooling purposes. I hope you'll replace all of them since you have the pan down. Like I stated, the simple stuff will trip you up. Good luck!!

Cool, I'm happy to hear you found them quickly. I'm not familiar with that model of engine, are the jets a big deal to install?

Originally Posted by Klleetrucking

I assume you meant the devices that direct oil to the bottom of the piston for cooling purposes. I hope you'll replace all of them since you have the pan down. Like I stated, the simple stuff will trip you up. Good luck!!

Yup, those are the devices I'm referring to. I'll be ordering atleast two new jets, one got caught up in the oil pump drive on the way down and the other has been banged up but not as bad. The other 4 are still up in place but I'll be taking them down to inspect them and if there's any sort of doubt I'm changing them all out.

Originally Posted by Heavyd

Cool, I'm happy to hear you found them quickly. I'm not familiar with that model of engine, are the jets a big deal to install?

Thanks! I didn't put them in the first time but the crank was out. I think I can get them no problem with a long enough extension and a hand turn of the crank.

Here's a photo of one of the cooling jets that I took when the motor was apart for the rebuild: