Cat 3306C Specifications
| Engine Model: Caterpillar 3306C |
| Engine Type: 4-cycle inline 6-cylinder turbocharged liquid-cooled diesel |
| Total Displacement: 641 cu.in (10.5 L) |
| Rated Engine Power: 200-300 Hp (145-224 kW) at 2100 rpm |
| Fuel System Type: Direct fuel injection |
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The Caterpillar 3306C is an inline
six-cylinder, 10.5-liter heavy-duty diesel engine representing a refined
and turbocharged configuration within the enduring 3300 series. This
engine builds upon the mechanical robustness of earlier models while
incorporating design improvements for enhanced durability and
performance. It is engineered for severe-service applications across
construction, mining, industrial, and on-highway sectors, where its
reputation for longevity and torque production is well established.
The 3306C retains the signature deep-skirt block, cross-bolted main
bearings, and wet cylinder liners of its predecessors, coupled with a
mechanically governed fuel system known for reliability. As a
turbocharged engine, it delivers increased power density and improved
high-altitude performance over naturally aspirated versions, making it a
versatile and formidable powerplant for the most demanding equipment.
Engine Type: Inline 6-Cylinder, Four-Stroke Cycle Diesel.
Aspiration: Turbocharged. Various configurations exist, including
Turbocharged Aftercooled (TA).
Displacement: 10.5 Liters (641 cubic inches).
Bore: 121 mm (4.75 inches).
Stroke: 152 mm (6.00 inches).
Engine Power: 200-300 HP (145-224 kW).
Compression Ratio: Ranges from 14.5:1 to 16.5:1 depending on specific
model and aspiration.
Firing Order: 1-5-3-6-2-4.
Rotation (Viewed from Flywheel End): Counterclockwise.
Governor Type: Mechanical, variable speed or all-speed.
Emission Certification: Pre-Tier and early Tier 1 compliant mechanical
engine.
The cylinder block is a high-strength, deep-skirt cast iron structure,
providing an exceptionally rigid foundation. It is designed with
replaceable wet-type cylinder liners. The liners are pressed into the
block and sealed at the top with a copper composition gasket under a
precision-machined flange. The lower end utilizes a cross-bolted main
bearing design for maximum crankshaft support.
Each of the seven nodular iron main bearing caps is secured by two
vertical bolts and two horizontal cross bolts that thread into the
block's lower skirt. This design manages the high cylinder pressures and
torsional loads inherent in a turbocharged, long-stroke engine. The
camshaft is gear-driven and rotates within bearings machined directly
into the block.
A single cast iron cylinder head is employed, secured by four bolts per
cylinder. The head uses a two-valve-per-cylinder design - one intake and
one exhaust. Valve seat inserts are hardened to withstand elevated
temperatures and pressures. Valve guides are pressed into the head and
are replaceable.
Valve actuation is via pushrods and rocker arms; the rocker arms are
shaft-mounted. Valve lash requires manual adjustment using a screw and
locknut on each rocker arm. The cylinder head gasket is a solid copper
or composite design, selected to provide a reliable seal under the
engine's operating conditions.
The engine utilizes a direct injection, mechanically controlled fuel
system. It employs individual camshaft-driven injection pumps, one for
each cylinder. These inline plunger-type pumps generate the high
pressure required for direct injection and deliver fuel to multi-hole
injectors. Injection timing is adjustable to optimize performance.
A gear-type transfer pump supplies fuel from the tank to the injection
pumps. The fuel circuit includes a primary filter/water separator and a
secondary spin-on fuel filter. This system is mechanically precise and
durable, favored in environments where electronic complexity is
undesirable.
Lubrication is provided by a gear-type oil pump driven from the front
gear train. Oil is drawn from a deep cast iron or fabricated steel sump
through a pickup tube and screen. It is then forced through a full-flow,
spin-on or canister-type oil filter. A bypass valve protects the system.
Filtered oil is routed through an oil cooler before entering the main
oil gallery.
From the gallery, oil is distributed to the crankshaft main and
connecting rod bearings, camshaft bearings, turbocharger center housing,
and valve train. Piston cooling jets spray a directed stream of oil onto
the underside of each piston, a critical feature for piston crown
cooling in turbocharged applications.
Coolant circulation is managed by a gear-driven centrifugal water pump.
Coolant flows from the pump through passages in the cylinder block and
cylinder head. A wax-pellet thermostat regulates engine operating
temperature. The system is designed for high heat rejection.
On Turbocharged Aftercooled (TA) models, a jacket water aftercooler
(JWAC) or air-to-air aftercooler (ATAAC) is used to cool the
turbocharged intake air. The engine requires connection to a radiator or
heat exchanger of substantial capacity to manage the total thermal load.
Coolant filters containing supplemental additive are standard on many
applications.
Starting System: 12-volt, 24-volt, or 32-volt electric starting motor.
Air starting systems are a common and reliable option for industrial and
mining applications. Charging System: A heavy-duty brushless alternator,
with output from 65 to 130 amperes as required by the application.
Air Intake System: A dry-type, often two-stage air cleaner system with a
service indicator. Air flows through the cleaner into the turbocharger
compressor. On aftercooled models, compressed air then passes through
the aftercooler before entering the intake manifold. Exhaust System: A
cast iron exhaust manifold routes gases to the turbocharger turbine
housing. A wastegate regulates boost pressure.
Dimensions reflect the engine's large displacement and heavy-duty
construction. For a standard industrial configuration, approximate
length is 1780 mm (70.1 inches), width is 940 mm (37.0 inches), and
height is 1350 mm (53.1 inches). The net dry engine weight, excluding
fluids but including standard accessories like a heavy-duty alternator
and air compressor, is approximately 862 kg (1900 pounds). Weights can
increase for specific configurations with additional driven accessories
or heavy-duty options.
Engine Oil Grade: Use Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil (DEO) or an
equivalent oil meeting API CD, CE, or CF-4 specifications. SAE 15W-40 is
common for general operation. Oil Change Interval: Dictated by service
severity. In severe mining or construction duty, intervals of 250 hours
are standard. On-highway or lighter industrial use may extend to 500
hours. Oil analysis is recommended to establish optimum intervals.
Oil System Capacity: Total refill capacity, including filter change, is
approximately 28.4 Liters (30 US quarts). Cooling System Capacity: Total
cooling system capacity, including radiator, is approximately 68.0
Liters (18.0 US gallons).
Fuel Filter: Replace primary and secondary fuel filter elements every
500 hours or as specified by the equipment service schedule. Air Filter:
Service or replace based on restriction gauge indication. Operation in
high-dust environments necessitates daily checks and frequent servicing
of the primary element. Valve Lash Adjustment (Cold): Intake: 0.38 mm
(0.015 in). Exhaust: 0.76 mm (0.030 in). Adjust at initial break-in and
every subsequent 1000 hours of operation.
Engine Coolant: Use a 50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol antifreeze and
demineralized water. Maintain proper concentration of supplemental
coolant additive (SCA) via a coolant filter or direct addition to
prevent wet liner cavitation.
Cylinder Head Bolts: Tighten in a specific three-step sequence. Final
torque: 270 Nm (200 lb-ft).
Main Bearing Cap Bolts (Vertical): 340 Nm (250 lb-ft).
Main Bearing Cap Cross Bolts: 160 Nm (118 lb-ft).
Connecting Rod Cap Bolts: 200 Nm (148 lb-ft) plus an additional
60-degree turn.
Flywheel Housing-to-Block Bolts: 160 Nm (118 lb-ft).
Flywheel-to-Crankshaft Bolts: 230 Nm (170 lb-ft).
Injector Clamp Bolt: 50 Nm (37 lb-ft).
Oil Pan Bolts: 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
Oil Filter Cap or Cartridge: For spin-on filters, hand-tighten plus
three-quarters turn. For canister types, tighten cap to 75 Nm (55
lb-ft).
The Caterpillar 3306C engine was a dominant
force in heavy machinery:
Construction Equipment: Found in Caterpillar 12G, 140G Motor Graders;
613, 623 Wheel Tractor-Scrapers; 966D, 980C Wheel Loaders; and 824C,
834B Wheel Dozers. On-Highway Trucks: Powered heavy-duty vocational
trucks from Peterbilt, Kenworth, and Marmon, particularly in dump truck,
mixer, and logging configurations. Mining: Served in underground loaders
(LHDs), rock trucks, drill rigs, and pumps.
Power Generation: A prime mover for large industrial generator sets in
the 200-400 kW range. Oil and Gas: Powered large frac pumps, cementing
units, and drilling mud pumps. Marine: Used in tugboats, fishing
vessels, and small ferries as a propulsion engine. Forestry: The primary
power source for large track-type feller-bunchers, skidders, and
delimbers.
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