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Caterpillar 955L Engine Rebuild delema

lantraxco

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Jan 1, 2009
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Elsewhen
With CAT, the rule is you have to be able to bar the engine over one full turn. I wouldn't think they would repair that block, you will have to ask whoever's selling the long block.
 

Bryant_955L

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Apr 19, 2014
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Wasatch
I know that the motor was over heated. I also noticed there was antifreeze droplets in the oil. My guess is that this liner was leaking. I can tell you the bottom of the radiator was completely filled with dirt. This may have also contributed to over heating. At this point I'm not sure how to proceed. I found a rebuilt motor online but the cost for the core is 7/8 of the total cost. I guess I need to know if my engine is reusable in its current condition.
 

Nige

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G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
I know that the motor was over heated. I also noticed there was antifreeze droplets in the oil. My guess is that this liner was leaking. I can tell you the bottom of the radiator was completely filled with dirt. This may have also contributed to over heating. At this point I'm not sure how to proceed. I found a rebuilt motor online but the cost for the core is 7/8 of the total cost. I guess I need to know if my engine is reusable in its current condition.
I would say your existing block would not qualify for Core Credit given the damage to it. However it would pay you to enquire directly with whoever is selling the long block.

As someone pointed out earlier that's the bottom liner seal poking out in the photo looking up into the block so that's where your coolant leak was.
 

CDUB

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Sep 22, 2010
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Kansas
I skimmed through and may have missed something, but what made you want to overhaul the engine in the first place and were the missing pieces of liner and block in the oil pan. I think the answer to those two questions would greatly effect how to proceed. If you aren't going to run it a lot then you may be good just patching it back together.
 

Bryant_955L

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Apr 19, 2014
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76
Location
Wasatch
The short story, I was a partner in a 955L and I was given an offer to own the whole machine. When I got it back the oil pan was removed along with the oil pump. I asked what had happened because it was running the last time I saw it but no one would give me an answer. I was told by this forum, to tear down the motor because they are easy to rebuild and a very strong. So with little knowledge and a lot of confidence I proceeded. I cleaned out the oil pick-up and there was a lot of filings. The picture is of the #1 cylinder. Anyway, I want to make the right choice and do the right thing especially since I have limited funds.
 

trackdoc

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Aug 8, 2011
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Ireland/Kyrgyzstan
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Currently working as a HD Mechanic Trainer in Kyr
Metal filings in the pick up pipe !
First I saw of this in the story.
That kinda changes everything.
You can't really consider a patch up job, or any other kind of repair to this block unless you are 100% certain where the filings came from.
The damage shown in the pics would creat chunks, not filings.
 

Nige

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G..G..G..Granville.........!! Fetch your cloth.
That's why a Reman long block seems an attractive way to go.
TBH I suspect the filings and smaller particles were probably from a previous failure when the engine was repaired using Cat Parts in #1 as opposed to the IPD parts that were in there before. My strong suspicion is that it was hydraulic locked.
A Band-Aid repair for this engine at this point of time would not appear to be the way to go. It's either a proper job or don't do it at all.
 
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Bryant_955L

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Wasatch
Once again this forum has come to my rescue. You all have given me great advice. Oh and by the way, I also want to say thank you (the forum) for leading me to "Off Road Equipment". Those guys have been really helpful.
 

kb9tci

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Illinois
Once again this forum has come to my rescue. You all have given me great advice. Oh and by the way, I also want to say thank you (the forum) for leading me to "Off Road Equipment". Those guys have been really helpful.

:iagree:iagree:iagree:iagree
 

Bryant_955L

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Apr 19, 2014
Messages
76
Location
Wasatch
Well I found me a long block and I am in the process of putting the new motor together. The gasket kit I recieved from "Off Road Equip" seems to have everything. My question to the forum is should you use a gasket sealer or gasket maker to combine the parts? It seems like the old motor didn't use any type of gasket sealer or silicone. What are your thoughts?
 

Cmark

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Jan 2, 2009
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3,176
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Australia
Well I found me a long block and I am in the process of putting the new motor together. The gasket kit I recieved from "Off Road Equip" seems to have everything. My question to the forum is should you use a gasket sealer or gasket maker to combine the parts? It seems like the old motor didn't use any type of gasket sealer or silicone. What are your thoughts?

Generally speaking if the mating faces are flat I would never use gasket sealer. However there are are always possible exceptions. Some which come to mind are;

If a previous ham-fisted mechanic has used a power sander and rounded off the sealing faces.

If the D&A calls for it.

Thin (0.005") paper and steel gaskets that are buried deep in the assembly and would be a mountain of work to redo if they leaked.

Gaskets with 'jigsaw' type joints will get a little sealer at the joint.

Where two gaskets meet in a 'T', for example if the timing case gasket butts up to the sump gasket.



If you do decide to use sealer anywhere, only use just enough as is necessary. Lumps of sealer breaking loose and floating round the oil system can cause untold grief.
 

Bryant_955L

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Apr 19, 2014
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Wasatch
Well I have almost completed my engine rebuild project. I have attached a photo. Motor Install.jpg This has been fun project and this forum has given me a lot of info.
 

kshansen

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Mar 11, 2012
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Central New York, USA
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Retired Mechanic in Stone Quarry
Come on get busy we are waiting for first smoke!:drinkup

Looks so nice and clean will be a shame to take it out and get it dirty!
 

BCOWANWHEELS

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Dec 30, 2012
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kingsport, tn.
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semi retired and angus cattle farmer
WAS THE ENGINE HARD TO PULL ? was everything easy to get to ? is there a safety in holding up the bucket for this kind of maint. ?
thanks and thats a nice machine. i think a replacement short block was in order and the correct way to go !
bob
 
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