Iowa | Well, that should be a 3176B model; with serial number prefix of "9CK"
IF I was to buy a 3176 engine, then that serial number prefix, is what I would look for; BUT I much rather have a C-12 [if looking for a smaller engine].
Short comings of 3176B models are:
oil leaks= front cam cover gasket can be a big leaker(must pull cam and front cover) oil seepage= Aluminum spacer deck under cylinder head. noisy air compressor drive= wear in splines of air compressor and gear in front cover(annoying mostly) water pump weep hole can plug= put coolant in oil, IF water pump seal fails Cam followers (mostly injector cam followers) can have a bushing failure and ruin the cam(somewhat of a big job) If the front support bracket, on the upper, left side comes loose(supports front cover) and is neglected, then the front cover can break and cause oil leaks. Its repair is almost the same as a ruined cam. Head gasket can seep coolant into oil pan, but many improvement have been made over the years, too. These engines, do run copper sleeves, in the cylinder head(that the injectors seat against), and they can loose their "seal" against the cylinder head and allow fuel into the cooling system, too.
Pros: Good to Great fuel economy Lightweight
Remember, I work in a "hospital type" enviroment, So I only see problems, there are many engines out there running day in and day out, too. Less than two years ago, I rebuilt two 3176B(9CK prefix); each with around 965,000 miles and the fleet owner was extremely happy with them= why he choose to rebuilt them and keep those trucks. |