Long block or overhaul kit: what’s the best choice?

When it’s time to overhaul your Cat^® heavy-duty on-highway truck engine, you’ve got options — but you might be looking at the choices and wondering, “When does it make sense to pick one versus the other?” Here’s a quick rundown of what’s available and what’s best for different situations.

Available in Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, heavy-duty Precious Metals kits contain all the parts you need for a reliable, high-quality repair that meets our recommended engine overhaul practices — priced up to 30% less than purchasing the components individually. These kits are ideal for your first overhaul because at this point you typically can reuse or salvage your block, crank, camshaft and rockers/followers, and front and rear housing and seals.

Heavy-duty Precious Metals kits are backed by an unlimited-mileage, 12-month warranty that covers parts, labor and resultant damage, and you can add Extended Service Coverage for 24, 36 or 48 months for more peace of mind.

As engine components like the block, crank and camshaft enter their second or third (or even fourth) overhaul cycle, the chances they’ll need to be replaced or machined increase significantly. Only when the engine is disassembled can a technician determine if advanced block salvage is necessary, which requires the engine to be removed from the chassis — turning an in-frame overhaul into an out-of-frame overhaul.

In these situations, a heavy-duty Cat Reman long block is the better, more cost-effective repair choice. This fully assembled solution includes all the core iron you need, saving time and money on labor. The 12-month, unlimited-mileage warranty covers parts and labor for the entire assembly, including components like the block, crank, camshaft and gear train generally reused during an in-frame overhaul. Add Component Plus to extend your long block coverage another 24-48 months.

Both heavy-duty Cat Precious Metals kits and Reman long blocks come standard with thousands of dollars in parts others don’t include. Take a look at how much more you get for your money:

Still have questions on exactly what’s included and what makes the most sense for your situation? Reach out to your local authorized Cat dealer for answers. And be sure to ask about the special offers available on both options right now: $600 off Precious Metals kits or $1,000 off long blocks!