New to me 1693 Cat - looking for upgrades

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Plus 1 to this..

I'd personally leave It as Era/Period correct as possible..!! They're only ever "original" Once..

But hey,, Your truck Your Money Do whatever Floats your Boat..

Have Fun..

 

I bet CAT don't have the tool group any more. I also bet if they did they wouldn't bump it 1 I oda above what the serial says or data plate which ever is readable.


Find ya a retired marine mechanic tell him you got a D343 needs adjusting. They used the crap outta them in dredges and boats.

 

Didn't the first 3406A come out as 360 hp, then the next year go to 380? I could be wrong. Nothing, and I mean nothing, sounded as good as a 1693 idling, then taking off down the road. I could sit and listen to one for hours.

The 3406A sounded good idling also, but its unique sound was the intense rattling when taking off and when changing gears until the turbo caught up with the fuel. Great sound. The 3406A was a dog off the line. A 350 Cummins could clean your clock from a stop light, but get that CAT in high and hit a hill or two, and the Cummins saw nothing but tail lights for a few minutes. By then you were out of sight.

 

I believe that the first A models were pre-combustion, and the later ones were DITA. I used to own an 83 that was DITA and 400 HP.

 

Mine shows 375 on the valve cover sticker ('79 model year). I believe it was originally PCTA but converted to DITA. Still has glowplug switch and injection pump is tagged "Prechamber 3406"

 

I'd imagine you'd just have to find your current arrangement number and the arrangement number of what you want to build and compare the parts lists to see what needs to be changed to juice it up.

 

I can walk you through it if you don't find any one. Not sure how familiar you are with those but setting the valves is sure different. The adjustments are in the lifters with locks like self adjusting shoes. You turn them with a small screwdriver. Any way they wear out and quit holding.


If your in Montana @Oxbow was telling us he had a good CAT shop up there I believe. Hopefully not the same bunch you been too. Some them ol pipeline mechanics can make her gin too