Cat Diesel Question

[R Leo]

Is there any rhyme or reason to Caterpillar's engine model numbering? If anyone here knows their scheme, do tell.

[SHARK1007]

The 3126 has 31 cylinders, 26 cubic inches each.

Actually, I don't think there's any reason, unlike the old Detroit Diesel's and no interchangeability like a 4/71 head on one bank of an 8/71, etc.

Damned Cats! I love 'em.

[Jim H]

For What It's Worth

Industrial/OEM
http://www.cat.com/cda/layout?m=37533&x=7

On-Highway
http://www.cattruckengines.com/OHE/ACERT/frameset_c7.htm

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by SHARK1007

The 3126 has 31 cylinders, 26 cubic inches each.

Actually, I don't think there's any reason, unlike the old Detroit Diesel's and no interchangeability like a 4/71 head on one bank of an 8/71, etc.

Damned Cats! I love 'em.

How can this be?

I know almost nothing about Cats, but, I do know that a 3208 has eight cylinders, correct?

[SHARK1007]

I think the last digit refers to cylinders, 3406 is 6 cyl, 3412 is 12 and the discontinued 3208 was 8.

The C7, C9 and C18's are 6 cyl.

The old Detroits indicated displacement, 8/71 is 8 cyl, 71 c.i. per cyl and a piston from an 8/71 would work in a 2/71 or a 16/71, the cat stuff is a mystery and although I've owned a few, I've yet to figure it out!

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by SHARK1007

I think the last digit refers to cylinders, 3406 is 6 cyl, 3412 is 12 and the discontinued 3208 was 8.

The C7, C9 and C18's are 6 cyl.

The old Detroits indicated displacement, 8/71 is 8 cyl, 71 c.i. per cyl and a piston from an 8/71 would work in a 2/71 or a 16/71, the cat stuff is a mystery and although I've owned a few, I've yet to figure it out!

Then, you've got an error in post #2.

[SHARK1007]

Man, you caught me fair and square, my error was a feeble attempt at humor, I figured folks would know there wasn't really a 31 cylinder engine.

Cat has been hard to figure other than the last digit or two, I've had 3116's, 3126's, which were sixes, but a C7 or C9 is 6 cyl. I guess you need a play book to figure it out completely.

[R Leo]

Originally Posted by SHARK1007

Man, you caught me fair and square, my error was a feeble attempt at humor, I figured folks would know there wasn't really a 31 cylinder engine.

Cat has been hard to figure other than the last digit or two, I've had 3116's, 3126's, which were sixes, but a C7 or C9 is 6 cyl. I guess you need a play book to figure it out completely.

Agreed on the Cats...makes no sense at all. Might be that they are like ALCo's 244 and 251 prime movers. ie: numbered by design date. So, maybe there wasn't a 31 cylinder engine but, what about a 20-645 Jimmy?

Count those inspection holes...

[J. R. B.]

Originally Posted by SHARK1007

I think the last digit refers to cylinders, 3406 is 6 cyl, 3412 is 12 and the discontinued 3208 was 8.

The C7, C9 and C18's are 6 cyl.

The old Detroits indicated displacement, 8/71 is 8 cyl, 71 c.i. per cyl and a piston from an 8/71 would work in a 2/71 or a 16/71, the cat stuff is a mystery and although I've owned a few, I've yet to figure it out!

That depends whether the 71 series piston is a trunk type or a cross-head.

[waybomb]

Here's what i know about 34xx CATs
A 3406, 3408, 3412, 3416 all use the same rods, pistons, cylinders, heads, gaskets, rings, bearings, etc. 2 cylinders per head. The last two numbers denote cylinders.
All parts, other than manifolds, block and crank are interchangeable in the 34xx series.
The rest, who knows?