Coolant jacket inserts 3406 c15

Please explain coolant jacket inserts. IE location in block, function, etc... I have built many a cat engines dont recall running into coolant jacket inserts.

 

I think he’s referring to counterbores

 

My machine shop guy and local cat guru says cut the counterbores deep enough for the thickest counterbore shim. I think its 5 thousandths and you will have perfect liner protrusion and never have a head gasket issue

 

Any decent machine shop does them. I have a guy that will machine out the corrosion around them and replace with a stainless insert. He'll also do the counter bores and inner chamfers. He's completely mobile and can do it in frame like 90 percent of the time. Many places don't bother with the corroded jackets though because it's such a common issue that's easily fixed using a metallic epoxy like Belzona for a lot less.

 

You've never seen a corroded water jacket in a CAT before?

 

They used to use thin shims. I don’t know about Cat, but Detroit uses the thick inserts. I think there’s 3 different sizes. I would only go with thick enough for what’s needed, if you get the thickest ones, more than what’s needed, there’s nowhere left to go next time. Best to let a Pro determine what’s needed. Get it right.

 

That looks great. Definitely worth the extra expense if time allows.