I have a chance to get a cat C15 engine out of an OTR truck, rather cheap i might add. Whats one worth running , and not running.

I had an offer to swap an engine out of one truck that the running gear is basically trashed in , but has a new engine , into a truck with useable running gear , but an engine that is eating anti freeze. They would give me the engine taking the anti freeze , just for working with their mechanic to help the swap go faster.

I am not sure where the anti freeze is going, but worst case scenario, if they want to swap it before it completely blows , is it is going to need new mains , rods , and cam bearings , and maybe a crank polish , assuming the block is not cracked. I have the tools and room to pull it apart and throw the new bearings in , but is it worth my time?

 

A used C15 is worth about 12 to 15,000 dollars. I know I have priced one. That is from a wrecked truck with nothing done to the engine, but the engine I was looking at was running with no issues.

 

On our 05 F-Liner The C-15 was the midway engine price wise, Cheaper than the Mercedes but more expensive than the Detroit, about 12-15 thou sounds reasonable for a used onem again, with no issues.

 

If you bring it home in the bed of the Dodge I want to see some pics!

 

Your Request has been noted Dave, If i get it , it WILL be coming home in the back of the dodge .

 

I would SERIOUSLY want to know where the antifreeze is going before you get involved with this deal. I'm not saying anything bad about who you are dealing with, I just don't want to see you get stuck with an unusable block. The C-15 is an expensive engine to overhaul, but worth it if the block is ok. You local cat dealer should have the overhaul kits that you need. Good luck on this one.

 

I would start by checking out all the coolers that have water running through them, then start thinking about the head. There's not a lot of places for water to go, and not be found...at least not that I can think of right now

So you're gonna get it for what, 15hrs of work?? Seems like a good deal to me, but remember it can take better than 10K to OH a CAT...at least it di on our 3406E

Chris

 

Wouldn't it be easier to just part the thing out? No expense other than time that way, and if it doesn't sell, make a coffee table out of it. A BIG coffee table.

 

Well ij ust overhauled my C-15, as a matter of fact im gonna fire it up tommarrow for the first time, it cost me 10K in parts to do it. It also was pushing antifreeze out of the over flow. If all it is doing is pushing it out like mine it might be just a head gasket blown, if its not in the oil its not a cracked block or a leaky liner, most likley a HG or a bad head and if the head is cracked its 3 g to replace and a 1500 partial core charge on that, but if you can get it its worth the time to part out.

 

Even if it is not going to be a useable block , i am going to bring it home and take it apart anyways, just to see what makes it tick inside , had lots of engines apart , but never a C15.

Would make a good conversation piece if nothing else

 

I rebuilt my c15 little over a year ago cost me 12000.00 done by cat in Tulsa,ok they put a 300,000 mile warentty. a used c15 in the trk paper runs 5000.00 to 9000.00 depines on miles.my c15 was losing coolant it was a cracked head very common on the c15.

 

its not worth ur time bubbles...what are u gonna do with that thing? u need a fork lift or small crane to move that motor...its 3000lbs!

 

Not sure what i will do with it , take it apart , see how it works , sounds like fun to me! I Have done some work with the same mechanic before, I talked with them again , they will pay my wages and still give me the engine if it is not going to be useable , and i won't be doing a full rebuild , just what it would need to make it run again.

I have a forklift and a crane , as well as a dozer , excavator , dump truck , skidder, snowplow , atv, compactor , grader, skid steer, shovel , broom , rake , etc , all rolled into one :

 

sounds good!...thats alot of equipment u took ur time listing...but u didnt list pick, crow bar, sledgehammers...

i spent some time in a local semi truck wreckers near me last summer just playign around like a kid in a candy store and took home some goodies...a big rod from an older n14 cummins...badges from slmost eveyr kind of truck as a collection...i even scored the lil mack bulldog all for free...they were cool guys...by the way those mack bulldogs are a PITA to get off those hoods..
do it just for the hobby!