Replacement 3406E head.

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by BoxCarKidd, May 20, 2019.

  1. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    I have to have one as mine is cracked. Have gotten Cat remans exchange. With the core charge it is up around $8,000 dollars.
    I see aftermarket new heads from $3500 - $5,000 dollars. I lean toward the one from someone I have been doing business with. Of course that is the $5,000 dollar one but they have sold them for some years without a problem.
    What is others experience?
     
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  3. Intothesunset

    Intothesunset Road Train Member

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    You should be able to buy non running 3406E engines for $8K or less. Depending if the rotate freely or not.
     
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  4. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    How does that help me? I know where there is a running early model C15 for $4500. I thank they are the same head. It has a million 3 on it. It is still just a core to me. Last time I got into this I bought a core from a salvage yard for $800. Guarantied not to be cracked and thick enough to be plained if needed. Cat rejected it for pitting. Send it back but they ended up accepting it. That was a big confrontation.
    This truck has had a Cat crate engine put in it. It was ran hot and cracked the head. It just needs a head but will do an inframe while we are at it.
     
  5. Intothesunset

    Intothesunset Road Train Member

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    I do apologize for my answer not helping.
    Either your CAT shop is jerks or you need a real mechanic/machinist to do a head rebuild, that is not an employee at CAT.
     
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  6. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

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    My neighbor put an after market head on his, it lasted less than 5000 miles, before dropping a valve and shelling that hole. I think it broke the head too,but am not sure. I know he had his old head rebuilt.
    I do not know what brand it was or what caused it either.
     
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  7. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    @SmokinCAT i think posted about using a aftermarket head,but I don’t remember what brand.
     
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  8. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

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    CAT is anally picky about core return policies. Round here anyways.

    Cylinder packs must be repackaged in all original packaging and rod caps torqued. The valve bridges always come in the box with the head. I accidentally put em' in the platinum box and they rejected the whole core........had to go show em' where they were.
     
  9. spsauerland

    spsauerland Road Train Member

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    I think it boils down to who is doing core acceptance criteria. I have turned in cylinder heads with total area around combustion face eroded and missing valve faces and received full core credit, yet turned in a flywheel with heat cracks and it was denied!
    I think the aftermarket head mentioned was from American Crane and tractor was the CGR Ghinassi heads from Italy.
     
  10. jimmycrackcorn

    jimmycrackcorn Light Load Member

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    I had my 96 e model head rebuilt with the upgraded springs and new valves. It ran about $5k. I just did an inframe on my c15 (same head) and ordered a CAT reman for $3000 then sent it to the machine shop to get it straight and setup the springs (absolute must with a cat reman). They machine where the springs set then put washers under the springs. Ran another $1500. I can order band new castings for around $2900. My head was cracked in 3 places that were visible and CAT took it as a core.

    The head I took in to the machine shop was one of the better ones they've seen and they only took off .004 to get it straight, but even that little bit would've put the tolerances out of spec when assembled and would've voided the warranty. It's $250 to surface the head. Regardless of which direction you go, get it surfaced.
     
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  11. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    I use after market head on mine. There is a individual on FB that sells aftermarket has a good rep with the ones he sells. Think the name is Robert Calixco.
     
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