Cat 3116 input needed

[Blackcloud]

I have been shoping around for a small used dump truck lately,and ran across a 95 Chevy Kodiak with only 55k miles on it for 8,000. It has the Cat 3116 motor in it and ran like a charm when I drove it,but I know absolutely nothing about the engine. Tell me what you know.....

 

[RM]

cat 3116

i had a 96chevy with 3116 in it for 240k and never had a problem good engine the injectors are kind of like a detroit and hard to set but not needed often they difently do not like dirt so keep filters changed the truck will fall apart before the engine one more thing the water pump is belt driven by its self and nobody ever adjust it its a bear but keep tight . lower horsepower engines cant be bomded to muck cause of internal parts 215 horse is good and up ron

 

[MMiller]

I turn wrenches on them sometimes. They are definitely a peculiar motor. I think that one will be an old mechanical engine with a long rack under the valve cover that controls the mechanical unit injectors. When they get worn the engine gets weird operating characteristics. Check and make sure it doesn't have fuel in the coolant. They have brass or maybe stainless cups, depending on vintage, that seal the coolant from the fuel passage. Not to say they are a bad engine, just particular. Always thought about putting one in a pickup. They are pretty long, and not as economical as a cummins. Parts are pretty pricey too. I work on cats 5 days a week, and it is my least favorite engine to work on, mostly because I don't have alot of experience with them. The fuel system has check valves in it to keep head psi in check, and orifices.



I don't think that one is new enough to be a HEUI engine, just an old mechanical, 2 valves per cylinder. They are not a wet liner engine like their larger sisters. Usually we can bore them, but a reman is installed most of them time.



Water pump belts work loose easily.



They can be a spunky engine that makes good torque. Pretty high hp and torque for only 404 cubic inches in a large truck.



Just some info from me,

Michael

 

[csevers]

I can't give a glowing review

I have some experience with the them we had a couple in the 95 age range that ran a total of about 350k but the maintenace cost were killing us. Cooling with fuel was so common at the time, they have updated parts available now but you probably can't tell if that engine has been done or not. Over heating due to the loose water pump belt,Govenor problems in the pump, broken exhaust manifold bolts mostly #6, the over head if a very big pain to adjust and requires special tools, trucks eat alternators and batterys due to the large electrical draw the intake heater puts on the system that stays on continuisly till engine temp comes up. This is my experience with them.



The meduim and heavy used truck market is in the toilet right now there are a lot of good trucks out there for cheap money. Hope you find a good one.



Craig