1693 caterpillar

The B model is far from the engine the 1693 was, had the 1693 been converted to direct injection the B model would not hold a candle to it.

 

What about the non-garbage 3406C? Didn't they have bigger bearings than the B's?

 

Yes, wider rod bearings on the C. Finding someone knowledgeable of 1693 vs 3406 to work one would be tough... Yet getting less guys knowledgeable of 3406! 1693 do sound wicked... Makes you think truck should have steering levers vs steering wheel.

 

I've had the B and the mechanical C. The C does have wide rod bearings, much better oil control (as far as oil leaks) C has higher compression pistons than the B and they also slowed the timing down on the C. The mechanical C was a great engine also.

 

I've had direct injected 3406A models, 3406Bs , 3406Es and a 6nz. They were all great engines. But bar none the electronic Es get my vote every time. Set up right there a very nice engine to run. They start better cold and got better fuel mileage over all the mechanical engines.
Easy to work on and dead nuts reliable.
Same can be said about the 6nz of course.

I've never had the joy of running a 1693 so no comment there. But I know they were heavy engines that drank a lot fuel and parts cost would be crazy now if you still had one.

 

Everyone is all about the wider rod bearings, too bad the meat they took to make he journal wider also made the diameter smaller.

The bearing thing is a myth, caterpillars V12s use same size bearing at power levels up to 1925hp.

That equates to 160hp per cylinder, comes out to a 960hp narrow bearing 6 cylinder.

If you are worried about bottom end then you should all be buying acerts, best bottom end cat built along with factory monotherms.

 

Only the truck engines get those crap parts, there are C model parts available to build one to match timing and compression that the 7FB had.

 

Had cat not changed the block material on the later electronic engines, they would not have the head gasket issues they have.

If you had to rely on cat for 1693 parts then yes there would be cost issues, new aftermarket Italian heads can be bought for not much more than the electronic head from same company, as for other rotating parts they are all out there from the aftermarket.

 

Hey brother. You reckon we can actually find someone that can set the fuel pumps up on a 1693 or do we have to call your old man?

 

How dare you bring that up!!






Even through it's TRUE lol. I remember the good old days. We sure had alot of fun didn't we?