Rebuild Kits

Here all sorts of horror stories with aftermarket kits in CAT's, that the motors were never the same don't do it, but no personal first hand experience. I'd just go with a CAT kit cause you know it's good but that's just me. Yeah it costs twice as much but I just can't see cutting corners on something like that - your motor is your bread and butter. Anytime I ever tried to cut a corner and save money I usually ended up spending twice as much anyways.

 

My next inframe kit will be Cat OEM that will be MicrBlue treated.

 

OEM. Period. I would not use an aftermarket kit in an overhaul.

I do use some PAI items from time to time or other aftermarket items but not the heavy (major) stuff. For example---They make a valve cover gasket (old style) for 60 series that is better than the Detroit one IMO. But the black (newer style) is not a good product.

 

Just ask yourself if the difference in price between aftermarket and OEM will offset your cost of doing the job twice or even three times. Bearing in mind that, even if parts/labor are covered, tow bills, incidentals, and loss of revenue are not. That math sucks on an in-frame kit, not so much on a valve cover gasket.

 

I use IPD rebuild kits from Truck Pro and I love em. I send the bearings and pistons out to have them coated, poly on the bearings and ceramic on the pistons. I've used Cat parts for years and some are alright,but in latter years more and more are made over yonder and not what they used to be. Most all parts are warranted for one year no matter who makes them, are who installs them. I expect to go six to ten years before an overhaul so I'm riding on my own for the most part anyway. When you buy aftermarket parts your getting new not refurbished parts, although you don't get rods with an aftermarket kit. I like the ring design, gaskets, and bearings from IPD, and after six years I have absolutely no blow-by, zilch, none. They use the same OEM part numbers or at least they do on the Cat kits, and are packaged very well, and I would probably choose IPD over the Cat parts even at the same price. Another thing I like about these is you get everything you need for an overhaul without having to list all the parts seperately. I love Caterpillar engines just think they rip the O/O off on prices. I know I'll catch some flak from some of the guys that wear yellow underwear.

 

I put a Mahle/Clevite kit in my truck two years ago and have had ZERO problems. I was happy with the quality of the parts.