CAT Rebuild or Replace?

No labor in that estimate? The only thing I see listed on labor is the warranty?

What is a good estimate on labor? 40 hrs? 40×$115=$4600?

I'm looking at used trucks myself. I'm just trying to get an idea of what it will cost to rebuild one when needed.

 

That includes labor. After taxes it would probably be around $19,000+/-. If you're looking at trucks with a CAT motor you can figure on about $25,000 for an inframe, that would be plus extras not included in that estimate for the standard platinum inframe - examples of extras: new CAC, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc, etc.

 

Hey just thought I'd throw this out there to give you another option... Maybe look at shops like Vander Hagg's that disassemble for parts. Have em toss in a low mileage used motor out of a wreck $6,000 to $8,000 plus the R&R labor... Then run it til your sick of the truck and dump it.

 

Do yourself a favor and find a pre acert C-15 and get it set in there. No more actuators or any of that garbage to mess with. Not sure what tranny you have but if it is a 10 speed then yes you would be throwing a little more torque to it than you should. If you don't drive like you stole it though you will be fine. The one thing that would be REALLY helpful if you decide to do a swap is that the engine you find comes out of the same brand/model of truck. If it doesn't then you will be changing water pump backing plates, exhaust manifold possibly front accessory components and also the sump in the oil pan could be in the wrong place.

 

These are my numbers from an inframe about 3 years ago, the work was done at CAT/Toromont in Winnipeg. I might off by a few Loonies but I try to keep it as close as possible.
Platinum kit includes labor 18700 and three years warranty, 700 extra for 4th year. Precoolet was leaking and replaced. Front structure removed and leaking krankshaft new sealed. Front engine mount replaced, no extra charge on labor since they were all the way down there already. They also replaced a few hoses. I ended up with just a bit over 22000 before taxes.

I got a $22000 account with CAT Financial with 0%interest. This applies to all repairs if the parts are more than 50% on the invoice. 2 years term.
I still can use it as a kind of credit card and pay for other workorders with less than 50% on parts. It's 10 payments then and if I remember right the interest is prime+8%.

Like I said, this is from three years ago and under canadian conditions. The US side might be different.

I got top notch customer service.

This account saved me a lots of money already and I still can use it.

Why would you change the engine? You don't know anything about what you're going to get. Does it come with warranty? (4 years???).
Keep what you have. If you wish to have a bit more power talk to CAT and they cam bump it up to 470, I'm not sure about the torque rate.
I had mine treated by the dieseldoctor in Effingham. It's set at 500/1750 versus 435/1650. The engine is beyond recognition now. Fuelmileage increased only slightly.

 

By the way my engine is the same like yours. C13 KCB.

 

My thoughts are the same as bavarion... if you really... really like the truck. Though keep in mind... Cat parts have went up by approx. 20% in the last couple of years for reasons they won't say. If your thoughts are to rebuild... Just have Cat do the build and get the good country wide warranty... DO NOT let a small shop build it... You will spend more time kicking yourself... The cost will be the same... and you'll not have a decent warranty. Expect at least $25,000 to be your cost and do the platinum kit.

 

Yep clutch and trans and rears need to handle torque of bigger motor. Might be better to cut your losses early and just upgrade to a different truck, my two cents.

 

It's been a while since the OP brought it up. Which way did you go?

My resume after 3 1/2 years: two waterpumps, one thermostat and just resently the front structure got resealed again. A three day job. All on CAT warranty.

I experienced some oil leak and thought the water pump might be leaking oil. The overhead was due, too. I booked it with CAT to get it done and ordered an oil sample as well. Just in case. If there would be anything wrong, they could take care of it while still under warranty.
At some point I got a call from the service clerk to tell me that it's the front seal that's causing the oil leak and not the water pump. When they strip down the front, setting the overhead afterwards would be included in that work. They just double checked with CAT warranty department, how much oil they'd like to see to make it a claim.
It got approved, I got the oil leak fixed and the overhead set on warranty. I didn't even have to pay for the oil sample, which came back good.

Now in the aftermath, I would say it was worth the money even when it hurt in the beginning and 4 years ain't over yet.