cat 955 resurection

Where you located? maybe some ACMOC members live close by and could help.

hi i live in the southwest of western australia

bleed the fuel injectors while cranking it over and that may help it start. you could try the ether bunny, (aerostart), if it is firing but wont take off sounds like a fuel issue, there are some guys that are pretty knowledgable over in WA that are on this forum or some other forums, that could try and guide you over the phone, or befriend a good diesel mechanic and have him help you get it running.

Your 955 should be a 12a serie with d315 motor in

be careful using aero start, you never need more than one can to get an engine going, and when those diesels are really rattling like they do on ether, it is extremely hard on rings and pushrods, I have seen many diesels that have had broken rings and bent pushrods from using too much ether.

i went there today & after bleeding fuel system & hot wiring starter i got it running..it amazes me that it goes, it is so rusty that there are rust holes thru the tappet cover.all the oils are milky.after running it for a few minutes it purrs like a new one..i had to soak the tracks with penetrine as they were siezed and would not turn..it just kept stalling until i got it rocking back & forward then off she went..it only steers to the left as i cant pull back the right steering clutch lever [which is why it was parked 14 years ago}...any way i crab walked it the 4 miles back to my place and by the time i got it home it was overheating & spraying oil out of crank seal & the tracks were so loose i was sure they would fall off & i couldnt be happier..what a legendary machine...any clues on the steering clutch issue?

My recommendation is to get through the engine spraying oil out the crank seal and overheating issue first. There maybe unforeseen EXPENSIVE problems in the engine that need to be addressed first before sinking money into Steering Clutches. You may find the engine repairs to be so expensive that it will not be worth saving the machine, especially if the undercarriage is worn really bad, a better condition machine maybe a cheaper alternative and using this one for parts.