New to me 1693 Cat - looking for upgrades

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by 1972RedNeck, Aug 20, 2018.

  1. 1972RedNeck

    1972RedNeck Light Load Member

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    Just ran across this on an old ATHS thread:

    "Ok here is what i just found out from one of the old guys from warren cat. He said that the engines and parts were the the same . They have a aftercooler or not and if it has a aftercooler then its AR # will be the same as all after cooler engines and the turbo would be different as well but all other parts are the same."

    This is in reference to "T" engines compared to "TA" engines.

    So are the turbos the same between the 325 and 425 or not? Do I actually have a T1810 or did just the 425's get them? Or did they all use T1810's but just had different housings?
     
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  3. 1972RedNeck

    1972RedNeck Light Load Member

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    Used the old Clatterpillar to move a little grain from the field to the bin - first time I've actually pulled much of anything with it. I learned a couple things in the process:

    1) There is nothing wrong with, or laggy about, the old T1810 turbo. It may not have the lightening fast spool up of a waste gated turbo on a well tuned newer engine, but it will come on board at a much lower RPM than any other truck engine I have been around - this old thing pulls like a freight train from idle on up. It may not have the top end power of our 700 HP E model, but it will out lug anything I have been around. I was kinda worried about it being a bit high geared for coming out of the field with the 12:1 first gear and 4.10 rear gears, but the low end torque makes it easier to take off than our B model with 4.88's and an 8LL (14:1 first gear).

    2) It's not 325 HP.

    Supposedly the injection pump was gone through and set by CAT not too long ago at the time of rebuild and it is supposed to be set to 325 HP. That being said, it will pull neck and neck with our 400 Big Cam Cummins - I realize that 855's aren't what a big Cat is, but still, I was pleasantly surprised that the antique 325 HP 1693 will easily keep up with, if not out pull, a good running 400 HP Cummins.

    I have read internet rumors that 1693 HP ratings were at the rear wheels instead of at the flywheel like normal - is there any truth to this? I discounted it at first, but it started to have some credibility with me now that I see how this old beast pulls...


    8-31-2018.jpg
     
  4. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    You know, I have heard that too about the older Cat's being rated by power to the ground. Heard it from a few people actually. I haven't actually bothered to verify it though.
     
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  5. 1972RedNeck

    1972RedNeck Light Load Member

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    The 1693 literature I bought off Ebay showed up yesterday - full service manual, spec book, rack setting charts, owners manual, and service guide. All good stuff.

    Looking in the spec book, my engine is supposed to have a T1231 turbo and the 375 to 425 versions utilize the T1810 turbo and they use a different torque spring group as well. Governor spring groups are the same.

    Also have a phone call into Kenworth to try to get some number for my engine.

    I would like to pick up a parts book for this thing as well, what book number should I search for? I would like it to cover all 1693 engines including ones used in other applications at higher HP ratings like this 500 HP engine (rack setting for this serial number at 425 HP would be .135).

    0A18EF2D-4DE6-4FE5-AB1D-0915DFA62B04.jpg
     
  6. Randykw1693

    Randykw1693 Bobtail Member

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    Look for JPaydirt on Facebook, he runs D343’s in his equipment and a 1693 in his old Kenworth. He also has some great videos on rebuilding 1693’s on YouTube.
     
  7. 1972RedNeck

    1972RedNeck Light Load Member

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    Another update. Put about 600 miles on it hauling grain over the past 3 days. Pulled well, makes about 55 MPH uphill where our 550ish HP B Model makes about 65 MPH with a similar load. The old 1693 made 4.12 MPG. Not too shabby.


    Heard back from Kenworth, supposedly my truck came from the factory with a Cummins so who knows what engine it is.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2018
    snowman_w900, Oxbow and wore out Thank this.
  8. 1972RedNeck

    1972RedNeck Light Load Member

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    Will check out YouTube, but I refuse to get a Facebook account so that is out.
     
  9. spsauerland

    spsauerland Road Train Member

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    Jeff " JPaydirt" Anderson is from Idaho. My son and I watch him weekly. Chris Fiffe just did a rolling cb interview with him. Figures I missed Jeff @ mid America, but did get a chance to meet Chris. Chris is a class act for sure.
     
  10. 1972RedNeck

    1972RedNeck Light Load Member

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    Done a little digging in my new to me parts books and as far as engine internals go, for each serial range, it looks to me like the basic engine groups are the same - i.e. same pistons, pre-cups, injectors, injection pump, and camshafts. For the different arrangements, it looks like it is just a matter of turbo, oil cooler, JWAC, and governor setup.

    425 HP here we come...
     
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  11. 1972RedNeck

    1972RedNeck Light Load Member

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    Parts book said there is supposed to be a serial tag on the front right side of the block - which there is under layers of grease and paint.

    Serial number is 65B4940 and below that it says "POWER UNIT".

    Have a call into Cat to try to get an arrangement number.
     
    snowman_w900 and Oldironfan Thank this.
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