After the correct break-in lubricant is applied to the cam and lifters, fill the crankcase with fresh non-synthetic oil. Prime the oil system with a priming tool and an electric drill so that all oil passages and the oil filter are full of oil. Preset the ignition timing and prime the fuel system. Fill the […]
Identifying Six Common Fastener Failures
1. Typical Tensile Overload In a tensile overload failure the bolt will stretch and “neck down” prior to rupture (Figure 1). One of the fracture faces will form a cup and the other a cone. This type of failure indicates that either the bolt was inadequate for the installation or it was preloaded beyond […]
Oil Cooler Leak on GM 6.6L Diesel
The oil leak is caused by minor imperfections in the engine block machine surfaces at the oil cooler interface that may allow engine oil seepage past the oil cooler O-rings. To cure this problem, GM offers the following information: 1. Inspect for other oil leaks that may be perceived as an oil cooler leak. An oil […]
File-to-Fit Ring End-Gap
The minimum end-gap needed to prevent the top ring ends from butting together under the most extreme operating conditions would be considered ideal. Unfortunately, it is much easier to see and know when you have too little end gap than it is to know exactly what is correct end gap. Common signs of butting end […]
Cylinder Head Replacement Tips
Before installing the cylinder head, use an aerosol gasket remover to soften traces of baked-on cylinder head gasket. A scraper using a straight razor blade can be especially effective at cutting away gasket residue without damaging the engine block or head. Next, make sure that the blind bolt holes in the cylinder block are clean […]
Caution When Press Fitting Aluminum Timing Gears
When heating aluminum timing gears prior to press fitting on camshafts, caution should be exercised that the gears are not heated above 200 degrees F. When timing gears are subjected to extreme temperatures, the aluminum gears do not return to their original dimensions after cooling. The result is a loose fit between the gears and […]
Caterpillar Piston Manufacturers’ Casting Numbers vs. Part Numbers
Casting numbers in the skirt or body of the piston may not represent the actual part number of which the casting has been machined. Depending on the manufacturer, one piston casting could be used for more than one final part number. Example: 1073565 casting being machined into a 1073565 (piston with one valve relief) or […]