Australian cat 12e graders

AFAIK 17K1234 up has a 3N series 3306

I always thought that all 17K graders were equipped with 3306 engines. I had 17K980, it had a 3306 engine. The cat Serial/Product book I have has 17K 001 up as being fitted with 3306 engine.

From what I can gather the 21F started life with a 318 then at some stage went to the early 333. I think the 17k started with a d333c then changed to a 3306 but the only noticeable difference's between the latter where basically the oil filter?

D333C and 3306 look very similar and are same bore and stroke. yes oil filters are different but late D333C had spin on too. Big difference is water pump. D333C is roundish while 3306 is square. consequently front covers are very different and so are heads for where the water lines connect. Most 3306s [but not all] used cats sleeve metering fuel system.
3306 has its own separate serial number. Graders a 17k but engine is a 3N.
D333C engine serial nos the same as vechular s/n.

3306 one of the best small engines made!!

yep that's for real zip👍 And man when you get them in a 627 A or B or a D7H they really percolate. They went up to 300hp in a truck application but that was only a intermittent rating.
But they are a good honest reliable easy to fix engine. and I can,t really see any of mr caterpillars current offering ever reaching the level of dependability and reverence of the 3306. Saw one in a owner operators D6D that did 20000hrs before it was stripped down, yes turbo, injectors and water pump had all been overhauled before but rest of it was virginal. Actually trans, t/c bevel gear etc was all untouched too, finals had been apart twice and about 3 sets of track gear. Spent its life bulldozing and towing a converted No15 cat scoop.

Yes the 3306 is Caterpillars version of the 186 Holden!

Sorry, only Kiwi,s and Aussies will understand that one.

G'day I,ve certainly looked after a few genset 3306's that did 40,000hrs before overhaul.
Kevin

What year would serial number 17k01018 be?