CAT Rebuild or Replace?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by RustyBolt, Jul 30, 2015.

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  1. Jul 30, 2015 #1
    RustyBolt

    RustyBolt Road Train Member

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    Like anyone who owns their own truck, I'm working on my "Down the Road" plan. Eventually, the C13 in my truck is going to need major work. And, for now, I'm leaning toward replacing the motor with a larger one. These 13s are not known for longevity. Nor are they cheap to rebuild (as with any engine). But with CAT engines, I've heard it can go as high as $30k to rebuild. The kit alone is like $13K. Hard to justify that when the truck is only valued at $20K.

    So, if it were your decision, what would you do? Rebuild? Or replace? And if replacing, what engine would you go with? It's in a 2005 International.
     
    RustyBolt, Jul 30, 2015
    RustyBolt, Jul 30, 2015
    #1
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  3. Jul 30, 2015 #2
    S M D

    S M D Road Train Member

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    For those internationals the cummins have been known to last a long time, I have a few happy friends one with over 1mill miles on original motor which is beyond great. I use to drive a freight shaker with a c13 was not a fan at all. Ran quite and didn't have too many issues but it did end up blowing up when another driver got in it.
     
    S M D, Jul 30, 2015
    S M D, Jul 30, 2015
    #2
  4. Jul 30, 2015 #3
    fortycalglock

    fortycalglock Road Train Member

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    It's not going to be cost effective to do anything but find a junkyard engine or replace it and send it to the junkyard.
     
    fortycalglock, Jul 30, 2015
    fortycalglock, Jul 30, 2015
    #3
  5. Jul 30, 2015 #4
    mhyn

    mhyn Road Train Member

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    why junkyard? Put it on ebay and sell it. I am sure somebody from Mexico or Latin America will buy it.
     
    mhyn, Jul 30, 2015
    mhyn, Jul 30, 2015
    #4
  7. Jul 30, 2015 #5
    Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    It's probably not going to be cost effective to change engine brands in that truck either ......

    Sell it and buy another or rebuilt would be my thought...

    Cat has in house financing if they install a kit... Also have warranty
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2015
    Cat sdp, Jul 30, 2015
    Cat sdp, Jul 30, 2015
    #5
  8. Jul 30, 2015 #6
    bigguns

    bigguns Road Train Member

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    We need to rethink our strategies for repairing or rebuilding an older truck. With the ridiculous prices of newer equipment the real cost of maintaining older equipment has to go up as well. In reality an older truck might well be worth putting many thousands of dollars into repairs. A truck worth $8k plus an engine at $20k to me looks way better than a high dollar new or used replacement truck with all the headaches and risks generally associated with a new to me truck.

    For the o/p replacing a 'small' engine with a 'bigger' engine will probably be too much torque for the drive line as it was originally spec'd for a smaller engine.
     
    bigguns, Jul 30, 2015
    bigguns, Jul 30, 2015
    #6
    mwhjr1988 Thanks this.
  9. Jul 30, 2015 #7
    swaan

    swaan Road Train Member

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    My theory on owning an older truck.

    If your good with a wrench, have your own shop with the proper tools then it's a no brainer.Youll be $ ahead owning a truck that's paid for and doing all your own repairs.

    But if your that guy who has to bring his truck to a shop to get a clutch ajusted maybe owning older equipment is not for you .
     
    swaan, Jul 30, 2015
    swaan, Jul 30, 2015
    #7
    Oxbow, 062 and Heavyd Thank this.
  10. Jul 30, 2015 #8
    RustyBolt

    RustyBolt Road Train Member

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    I appreciate the insight. But it's not a matter of if it's right for me or not. I own it, well, partly. And I learned a valuable lesson after I purchased "this" truck. So, for now, I have to decide what to do when the time comes. And, BTW, I don't have a shop. Or all the proper tools. But I can still do a lot of the work myself when it comes to repairs.

    Thanks again!
     
    RustyBolt, Jul 30, 2015
    RustyBolt, Jul 30, 2015
    #8
  11. Jul 30, 2015 #9
    RustyBolt

    RustyBolt Road Train Member

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    This is sort of my mentality on the subject. The truck itself is in really good shape. Sure it has it's faults. What truck doesn't? I can't see just throwing it away and jumping into another loan for something that will have the same issues or worse. $8-10K for a used engine that has 500K miles left in her before a rebuild is needed (Not sure what the going rate for a swap around here is.) seems like a more practical way of going.

    Now this is info that makes me rethink changing engines. Not sure what the components of my drive line are speced at. I will do some research and see what I can find. I'm guessing (and only a guess) that the clutch would be an issue. However, not so sure about the rest. I know the rears on mine have identical numbers to a co-workers 9400 with a c15. Other than that, no idea.
     
    RustyBolt, Jul 30, 2015
    RustyBolt, Jul 30, 2015
    #9
  12. Jul 30, 2015 #10
    RustyBolt

    RustyBolt Road Train Member

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    Ain't no way in h e double hockey sticks I am financing a rebuild through CAT. They charge a fortune for their parts. And have the highest labor rates in this area ($115/hr) I can only imagine what kind of interest rate they would charge. But I do appreciate the info.
     
    RustyBolt, Jul 30, 2015
    RustyBolt, Jul 30, 2015
    #10
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