Usage:
NOTE: Please cross out the article on Page 1 of the October 26, 1973 Engine News and refer to this article.
(Because of the nature of this information, this article is not in Caterpillar Fundamental English.)
Caterpillar truck engines sold in the United States, Canada, and certain other countries are certified as meeting U.S. emission standards. It is illegal under terms of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a manufacturer, dealer, or fleet operator to change an engine to a noncertified setting or configuration. To be more explicit, in the United States the EPA regulations expressly prohibit Caterpillar, or the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) which installs a Caterpillar engine in its equipment, and/or a Caterpillar dealer, OEM servicemen, or fleet servicemen from making any changes to an engine which would alter the performance or emission characteristics of that engine. This not only includes fuel and speed settings, but also the torque spring group, air-fuel ratio control setting, engine timing, etc.
The regulations also prohibit recommending such changes or informing people how to make such changes. Violation of these regulations carries fines and/or penalties of up to $10,000 for each change.
The fuel and speed settings as listed in the Rack Setting or Truck Engine Fuel System Information Book are approved settings for Caterpillar engines. An engine set to one of these approved ratings should not be changed to a setting not listed in the Rack Setting or Truck Engine Fuel System Information Book without prior consultation and approval by Caterpillar or an OEM, if an OEM application is involved. Some special engine arrangements have approved settings that are not listed. These settings were included in the Bill of Material and in the Microfiche Bill of Material File until late 1976. Since that time these settings are shown only on the engine data plate.
An engine can be changed from one approved setting or configuration to another approved setting or configuration for the range of serial numbers published in the Rack Setting or Truck Engine Fuel System Information Book. However, all the changes that are required to change from one configuration (or arrangement) to another must be made. Partial changes alone are not acceptable, nor are any additions that alter the engine from an approved configuration. For example, if a turbocharged engine is changed to a turbocharged-aftercooled engine, it must be set for the approved TA setting. If there is an addition of, or a change made to, a torque spring group, you must use the setting for the new torque spring group. Also, an addition of a turbocharger to a 3208 Truck Engine is not approved by EPA and must not be permitted.
When an approved change is made, the engine data plate should be restamped if sufficient room is available. If no room is available, order a new plate from the Parts Department and stamp it accordingly. This is important because it could prevent a serviceman at some future time from resetting the engine to the old settings which could result in a noncertified setting.
Make a Service Report and send a copy to Caterpillar any time an approved change is made.
Servicemen who work on governors must always seal the governor to protect themselves and the dealership. Dealers must have and use the 5P1660 or 8S8157 Governor Sealing Tool Group and the seals for fastening the seals on governors.
Although Industrial and Marine Engines do not have EPA certified settings, they do have Caterpillar approved ratings. These engines should not be changed from an approved setting to an unapproved one without first consulting the factory concerning the feasibility.
If a change to a setting is made that does not have factory approval, engine damage or performance problems resulting from the use of nonapproved settings are the responsibility of the user or dealer making the change.
Locations to stamp new settings. Get a new plate if there is not room on the old plate.