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Cat or Detroit

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Stubby the tractor, Feb 9, 2020.

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  1. Feb 9, 2020 #1
    Stubby the tractor

    Stubby the tractor Bobtail Member

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    I've got a 1991 379 Pete. 16 months ago I paid 20 grand to have CARTER CAT rebuild the 3406 because #5 piston had melted and #4 showed scaring. With only 97 K miles on it I'm right back where I was 16 months ago. #5 is melted and #4 show scaring. Since I only run 300 miles a day I went with the one year unlimited mileage warranty. CAT is offering no help at all saying I should've bought a better warranty. My question to you guys is should I rebuild this engine again or replace it with a Detroit 60 series I have. To find original CAT parts is getting impossible and to get them worked on by truly experienced mechanics is tough as well. I'm trying not to have an attitude towards CAT but I want to do whats right for this truck. The Detroit I have is in a 1998 Century so that upgrades the engine from what I currently have. Can put a ecm blocker on it and have a beast. So let me hear from you older, more experienced guy who perhaps have owned or driven both. I've driven both too. For me it's more about re-spending a ton of money all over again. What say you?
     
    Stubby the tractor, Feb 9, 2020
    Stubby the tractor, Feb 9, 2020
    #1
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  3. Feb 9, 2020 #2
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Hard to find parts? Must have a #### parts counter there cause I have no problems finding parts for my 41 year old 3406A thru CAT.

    Did they change injectors or anything like that during the rebuild? Seems to me you've got an underlying issue causing the exact same failure.
     
    AModelCat, Feb 9, 2020
    AModelCat, Feb 9, 2020
    #2
    650cat425, pushbroom and TripleSix Thank this.
  4. Feb 9, 2020 #3
    Deere hunter

    Deere hunter Road Train Member

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    If the Detroit ready to roll it would probably be less money just a little more headache. My question is what happened to the cat did they not change injectors when they overhauled it. Amount of fuel poured in the cylinder is the only thing that burns the pistons. Unless you’re calling nozzles are messed upbIf the Detroit ready to roll it would probably be less money just a little more headache. My question is what happened to the cat did they not change injectors when they overhauled it. Amount of fuel poured in the cylinder is one thing that burns the pistons. Unless your cooling nozzles are messed up.
     
    Deere hunter, Feb 9, 2020
    Deere hunter, Feb 9, 2020
    #3
    650cat425 Thanks this.
  5. Feb 9, 2020 #4
    x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    I really hate to throw away Kitty just because she cannot burn fuel properly.

    Something is wrong with the people who worked on kitty somewhere. I just don't know enough.

    Detriots are ok, but to toss a kitty? Thats harsh.

    The reason I say that is that even though CAT quit the truck engine market in North America, any time you have a CAT still operational under the hood, my head snaps around the minute I hear you with it. Its something of a fading treasure to have those running.
     
    x1Heavy, Feb 9, 2020
    x1Heavy, Feb 9, 2020
    #4
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  7. Feb 9, 2020 #5
    Stubby the tractor

    Stubby the tractor Bobtail Member

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    In the initial rebuild one head and all injectors we're changed. It was a total rebuild not just a patch job. I appreciate the responses. They're going to be used to make my decision to file suit against Carter. As for original cat parts being found that is in the Tidewater area of Virginia. Carter Cat is making it clear they want nothing to do with truck engines. I would prefer to stay with the cat. ItsI a hoss. I just can't justify spending this kind of money if the Detroit is the dependible decision. I have a contract to full fill.
     
    Stubby the tractor, Feb 9, 2020
    Stubby the tractor, Feb 9, 2020
    #5
  8. Feb 9, 2020 #6
    Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    What is an ECM blocker?
     
    Dino soar, Feb 9, 2020
    Dino soar, Feb 9, 2020
    #6
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  9. Feb 9, 2020 #7
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Any fuel pump work done? '91 would be a mechanical pump. May need the pump removed and flow tested. Willing to bet #5 is flowing more fuel than the others.
     
    AModelCat, Feb 9, 2020
    AModelCat, Feb 9, 2020
    #7
    pushbroom, Dino soar and Roberts450 Thank this.
  10. Feb 9, 2020 #8
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    If CAT has a part number for something, its available. Your local dealer sounds lazy.

    While I agree that a lot of the skilled techs who know that engine inside and out are gone/on the way out, any decent mechanic can read the service procedures and put that engine together. Like I said I'm rebuilding a 1979 3406A from the oil pan up and have not had one lick of trouble finding anything for it. Worst wait was a week for a set of 6 cylinder groups.
     
    AModelCat, Feb 9, 2020
    AModelCat, Feb 9, 2020
    #8
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  11. Feb 9, 2020 #9
    TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    I'm curious...were you pulling a hill when the engine blew?
     
    TripleSix, Feb 9, 2020
    TripleSix, Feb 9, 2020
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  12. Feb 9, 2020 #10
    ChevyCam

    ChevyCam Light Load Member

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    Can you not run the Freightliner, while the Cat gets rebuilt?
    Im assuming the Detroit sitting in more of a parts truck...

    What stops the Detroit from needing a rebuild 6 months from now after doing the engine swap?

    Find a better shop and rebuilt the Cat.
     
    ChevyCam, Feb 9, 2020
    ChevyCam, Feb 9, 2020
    #10
    AModelCat Thanks this.
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