C-12 Engine Questions

[Gil_Johnson]

Thanks for the correction.  I fogot to state it's rotational.

[Joel Weiss]

Gil--

Sorry to sound like a teacher.  It's a rotational measurement and the "distance" is a "lever arm" not a distance moved.  It's a very difficult concept to convey to students and it's no surprise that car companies focus on HP rather than torque.  

And if torque alone isn't a difficult concept, try explaining to students that it is the difference in the shape of the torque curve that makes a diesel so much better at hauling heavy loads than a gasoline engine (torque increases as engine speed decreases).  Now you can begin to understand why I hated to teach heat engines!  

Joel

[LarryNCarolynShirk]

There are not many non-Beaver coaches with CAT engines.  As I understand, Mat Perlot owner of SMC, had an exclusive contract with CAT for 6 years, starting about 1997.   About the time Monaco took over, CAT became available to other manufacturers.  This came out of my hazy memory bank.

Larry

[Gil_Johnson]

Thanks Joel.  I forgot that it's a rotational measure.

[Marty and Suzie Schenck]

I don't think any of us will ever "over work a C-12". When I delivered new class 8 trucks from 1998 to 2001 hundreds of them were ordered with the 455hp C-12 to haul 105,500lbs. Putting that same engine in our
40,000lb. (plus or minus) motorhomes is just a walk in the park. Thats why I wanted a C-12 in my coach. When you combine the 3:55 rear end ratio with the tire size, the engine is only turning about 1275 rpm at 63 mph. Thats just loping along. Marty