CAT 245-3683 HOUSING

CAT 245-3683 (2454683) is a Caterpillar original equipment manufacturer (OEM) front gear chamber housing for the C15/C18 engine. It integrates the Front Accessory Drive (FEAD) system, seals and supports components such as the water pump, generator, and fan drive, and is compatible with heavy-duty engines such as the C15 ACERT and C18. It is a core load-bearing and sealing component for front-end transmission and protection.

Core Parameters (Original Manufacturer Nominal)

Item Details
Part Model: CAT 245-3683 (2454683) Front Gear Housing

Material: HT300 gray cast iron, tensile strength ≥300MPa, body hardness HB180-220, surface coated with oil-resistant primer, corrosion resistant and temperature resistant -40℃ to 150℃

Key Dimensions: Overall length 380mm, width 260mm, height 220mm; spindle bore inner diameter 105mm, flange bolt hole distribution circle diameter 220mm, 6 M12 mounting holes, locating pin hole φ12mm, depth 20mm; accessory mounting surface flatness ≤0.05mm

Compatible Engines: CAT C15 ACERT, C18, 3512B, etc.; Compatible with FEAD systems: water pump shaft diameter 50mm, generator shaft diameter… 45mm diameter, fan drive shaft diameter 38mm
Features: IP54 sealing rating, withstands front radial load ≤8kN, positioning accuracy ±0.03mm, integrated oil pressure sensor interface (M14×1.5) and temperature sensor interface (M12×1.25)
Installation: Secured to the front gear chamber with 6 M12 bolts, installation torque 45-50N・m, positioned with φ12 locating pins, gasket thickness 2mm, compression 0.3-0.5mm
Weight: Approx. 12.5kg
Suitable Applications:

FEAD Integration: Serves as the mounting base for the front accessory drive system, integrating components such as the water pump, generator, fan clutch, and pulleys, providing positioning reference and support, ensuring the coaxiality of the accessory shaft system ≤0.05mm.

Sealing and Protection: Internal oil sealing is achieved through a sealing gasket and O-ring (φ105×5mm) to prevent leakage; external protection against dust and water splashes, suitable for heavy-duty applications such as construction machinery, mining trucks, and marine auxiliary machinery.

Compatibility: Compatible with 245-3684 sealing gaskets, 127-0712 M12 bolts, and φ12 locating pins; often works in conjunction with 394-6507 idler gear bushings and 503-9731 front end cover. During replacement, the runout of the front gear chamber end face and the flatness of the sealing surface must be checked simultaneously.

Installation and Maintenance Points

Installation Steps:
1. Clean the mating surfaces of the housing and front gear chamber. Install a new sealing gasket (245-3684), apply sealant (Loctite 518), and insert the locating pin.
2. Align the housing with the locating pin and pre-tighten the M12 bolts crosswise in three steps with a torque of 45-50 N·m.
3. Install the accessory drive components and check that the shaft rotation is smooth, radial runout is ≤0.05 mm, and there is no oil leakage.

Maintenance Cycle: Check every 2000 hours under standard operating conditions. For harsh operating conditions (high dust, high temperature), shorten to 1000 hours. Focus on checking bolt torque decay, sealing surface leakage, and mounting surface deformation.

Replacement Criteria: Replace the housing if it has cracks, mounting surface flatness exceeding 0.1 mm, spindle bore wear exceeding 0.08 mm, or thread stripping. It cannot be repaired.