How do you feel about an Cat 3176 with Jakes for a swap?

[ojgetaway32]

Okay guys and dolls:

I have driven a truck with a Cat 3176 and it was pretty good.  How would feel about swapping my 8V71N for this critter?  It's smaller than a 3406 or Cummins Big Cam (855) but it's a six in a row, which I like.  Do you think it will fit?  What about heat?  I could prolly get the tranny but I don't know what it is.

Josh

[fe2_o3]

       "I could prolly get the tranny but I don't know what it is."   
   
   From what I under stand it's a metal box that fastens to the back of the engine and is used to transfer the rotation of the engine to the drive shaft. This inturn transfers the rotation to the rear end which transfers the rotation to the rear wheels which pushes the bus along the road...Cable

[Just Dallas]

Removed

[luvrbus]

The 3176 is a decent engine if you keep the hp down about the same as a M-11 Cummins in size and hp but if that engine is in CA it is supposed to be destroyed not resold.
I was over at Acme in Stockton and they were cutting holes in the blocks per C.A.R.B. and I thought what a waste of good engines 


good luck

[Happycampersrus]

That's not what I get when I google Tranny

[ojgetaway32]

You guys are absolutley no help.  Great responses!

Josh

[fe2_o3]

Just part of the service ...Cable

[fe2_o3]

        "That's not what I get when I google Tranny"
          That's the wrong application.
We had one of those trannys living down the street a few years ago. But he and his wife moved back to California where "The people are normal" ...Cable

[DaveG]

A 3176 is not that great of an engine. The non-jake ones seem to do better than the jake brake equipped. If you are set on using it, check with a Cat shop or decent Cat mechanic and have the cam followers/lifter keepers replaced...the ones I have been around have a problem with them and then the rest is bad news. A C-12 is not much bigger, and a hell of a lot better engine.

There was some recent discussion about some 3176s in MCI 9s or similar...up in Canada eh.

I didn't notice...what are you gonna put it in?

[TomC]

I would highly recommend you NOT use the 3176.  It is a 10.2 liter engine (the 3 means truck engine, the 17 in 3176 means 1.7 liters per cylinder with the 6 meaning cylinders).  This engine almost bankrupted Caterpillar.  In all the engineers minds, they designed a cast iron block and head with an aluminum spacer plate between them.  Practically everyone knows that aluminum and cast iron have different heat expansion rates, and that aluminum and cast iron electrolysis wise fight each other.  With the 3176 being as many years old as it is, the aluminum space plate is probably compromised with electrolysis by now and will present a pricy repair bill-only to still have the aluminum spacer plate.  Caterpillars answer was to bring the cast iron block up to meet the cast iron cylinder head eliminating the aluminum spacer plate.  Hence the C10 and C12 were born.  Both excellent engines, with the C12 available up to 525hp and 1750lb/ft torque (for motorhome use).  Later Caterpillar brought out the twin turbo C11 and C13-both of which, once again, you should stay away from.  The 3176, C10, C11, C12, C13 are all identically sized from the outside and not much bigger then the Cummins L10, M11, ISM engine.  Both series are the right sized for bus conversions-as compared to the rather large Detroit Series 60, Cummins NTC/ N14, KTA engine, Caterpiller 3406, C15, C16, 3408.  Good Luck, TomC

[rv_safetyman]

TomC, great information as usual!!

I am trying to gather information on a follow-up to my engine conversion article in BC magazine.  This would be great information to include.  Would you mind my quoting you if I write the article?

Jim

[luvrbus]

Jim, I had 8 of those engines Cat used the 3176 in their equipment and marine not just trucks and also the electrolysis part was self inflected Cat knew that would happen and a special antifreeze was made by Texaco for that engine.
One of my 379 Pete had one with 589,000 never had a problem and was still running great when I sold it was set at 350 hp the ones that were 400 hp did have a few minor problems nothing major.
It is all about maintenance GreyHound still runs those engines and don't have much of a problem and I see that engine for sale with over 700,000 miles on it at truck salvage yards not that I would buy one but I do like Yellow paint.


good luck

[TomC]

Jim- go ahead with the article.  Thanks, TomC