Awesome COE Build

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1950-Chevy-Truck-COE-/300986034014?forcerrptr=true&item=300986034014&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item46142a675e&forcev4exp=true#ht_500wt_1182

That's badass.

Jeebus! That's kinda cool, but they've got receipts totaling $239K and it still needs another $50-$75K to finish?

I know labor ain't cheap, but good lord they paid $23K on a the CAT rebuild.

I guess if I had that kind of disposable income I might see it differently, perspectives being relative and all that.

• Lee

Uhhh.... that's $293k, not $239k, in receipts. Sure it's cool, but seriously? Planning to spend approx. $400k on this? 'A [blank] and his [blank] are soon [blank].'

Ultimate ZAV

Not sure what the point is in spending that level of time and money and dumping in a smokey under powered 3208. I have one in my bus and another in a work truck and they are underpowered and obsolete. Reliable yes, but that is just about the only thing going for them. And you can buy a very decent runner for a couple thousand dollars. Also, quoted torque numbers are off by about 200 to 300 pounds. Transmission is non overdrive, so you will have to run the old Cat at close to 3000 RPM to get anywhere. And it is rated for 250 hp so you can't even turn the fuel up on the motor. (even if you could stand the resulting smoke)

In reply to bearmtnmartin:

I agree about the engine. It sounds like they used it because that's what the chassis came with, but for such a high end build there were several better choices in powertrains.

its a strange build. I can see the money they spent though. They are paying others to build a dream That's $$$$$$$$$$$$, then instead of shopping like most of us would they paid for brand new stuff.

Then like others have said, they kept the 3208. For all they had, they could have sold it for a Detroit 40 series or 60. Then you have mileage and more power.

Now I have a goal for an old International one day.

In reply to Thinkkker:

It'll be interesting to see how high the bidding goes. It's a neat truck, but like most similar builds, not worth what they have into it.

Winning bid: US $55,190.00

And it met the reserve! This morning it was at around $35k and hadn't met reserve.

If you had the skills to finish it, that might not be a terrible price to pay. But think about the pain it would be to move it!

In reply to bravenrace:

Yea, personally I'd have gone with a 2 stroke detroit, but I'm an evil minded individual.....I'd have never spent close to that much though.....its insane.

In reply to yamaha:

"2 stroke Detroit" - You're thinking like me...

In reply to bravenrace:

I might have to bite the bullet and go over by mansfield to get a 4-71T......I've been considering an entire semi with a 6-71 in it, but I think its in runaway mode with a stuck injector rail.

In reply to yamaha:

I'm considering putting one in my 77 Chevy. You just can't beat the sound.

bravenrace wrote: In reply to yamaha: I'm considering putting one in my 77 Chevy. You just can't beat the sound.

Nope, its the noise that makes bikers, nuns, soccer moms, children, elderly, joggers, and 99% of the "rolling coal" pricks run from....

$293k in build cost, sold for $55k. Damn. It must be nice to be able to take a $238k ass whoopin'.

Curmudgeon wrote: $293k in build cost, sold for $55k. Damn. It must be nice to be able to take a $238k ass whoopin'.

I just need to show this to the wife.... I'm still under $20k on my build... but not by much

Thinkkker wrote: Then like others have said, they kept the 3208. For all they had, they could have sold it for a Detroit 40 series or 60. Then you have mileage and more power. Now I have a goal for an old International one day.

I really don't get people sometimes. Though I see it fairly often from the Caterpillar side of things... customers paying well over what a brand new engine would cost for a rebuild.

If they wanted to stay in the CAT family...for the money, they could have had a brand new C13 with double the power, 50% more torque, and probably double the fuel economy as well.

In reply to sobe_death:

There is no ethical way why braven and I crave 2-stroke Detroit's......its just a "Because we can" thing. I mean, 300hp with 1200tq is a bit insane.

Well, considering that the build was 1 1/2 hours away from their house "in their hangar" , I don't think that they were hurting for money, not at first anyway.

In reply to yamaha:

And there's definitely many, many better diesels out there. In fact, years ago when I was a truck mechanic, these were my least favorite engines. Always leaked oil, and weren't nearly as durable as others. BUT THAT SOUND!!!! And they look pretty cool, IMO.
The only question is, can I fit a 6V-71 in my 77 Chevy??