This is a Caterpillar C7 engine for sale in fairly used condition: a complete 7.2 litre inline six turbo diesel, inspected, tested and ready to ship anywhere in the world. It is the Cat engine that powered Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Sterling, GM and Ford medium trucks, school buses, fire trucks and diesel pusher motorhomes from about 2003 to 2009.
We match the engine to your serial number prefix, arrangement number and rating, and we send photos of the actual unit before you pay.
What Comes With This Caterpillar C7 Engine for Sale
- Block with crankshaft, liners, pistons and connecting rods
- Cylinder head and valve train
- HEUI injectors and high pressure oil pump (condition noted on your quote)
- Turbocharger to suit the rating
- Oil cooler, water pump, front housing, oil pan and flywheel housing
- Photos, test notes and a skid or crate for shipping
The ECM and harness are included only when agreed in writing. Truck, bus and RV engines are dressed differently, so tell us which you need. Long blocks are available on request.
Caterpillar C7 Specifications
| Engine | Caterpillar C7 (ACERT on 2004 and later) |
| Layout | Inline six, four stroke, turbocharged and aftercooled |
| Displacement | 7.2 litres (442 cubic inches) |
| Bore x stroke | 110 x 127 mm (4.33 x 5.0 in) |
| Fuel system | HEUI hydraulically actuated electronic unit injectors on most engines |
| Engine control | ADEM, 70 pin ECM connectors on most 2004 and later engines |
| Power | About 190 to 360 hp depending on rating |
| Torque | Up to about 860 lb-ft on the top ratings |
| Truck serial prefixes | KAL, SAP, WAX |
| Emissions | EPA 2004 ACERT, EPA 2007 with particulate filter |
| Years on highway | About 2003 to the 2009 model year |
Vehicles This Engine Fits
Each Caterpillar C7 engine for sale in our stock is matched to one of these applications:
- Freightliner Business Class M2 and FL series
- Peterbilt 330, 335 and 340, Kenworth T300, Sterling Acterra
- Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick C6500, C7500 and C8500
- Ford F-650 and F-750
- School buses, shuttle buses and transit buses
- Fire trucks and emergency vehicles
- Diesel pusher motorhomes
Not on the list? Send your serial number and we will check for a Caterpillar C7 engine for sale that fits.
Reading the Serial, Arrangement and Rating
The serial number starts with a three letter prefix such as KAL, SAP or WAX, followed by five digits. The prefix tells you the family and the build period.
The arrangement number describes the exact parts the engine was built with: sump, front housing, flywheel housing, turbo and fuel system. Two C7 engines with different arrangement numbers can need different parts to fit the same truck.
The rating lives partly in the ECM software. A 190 hp bus engine and a 330 hp truck engine share much of the same hardware, but injectors and programming differ. Send a photo of the data plate and we will match the right Caterpillar C7 engine for sale.
Condition and Testing
Every Caterpillar C7 engine for sale goes through the same checks before we quote it:
- Serial number, arrangement number and rating recorded
- Running test or compression test where possible
- Oil and coolant checked for contamination
- High pressure oil system inspected for leaks
- Turbo checked for shaft play and oil
- Block and head inspected for cracks and old repairs
- Photos taken from every side and sent to you
If an engine is sold as a core or needs work, the quote says so plainly.
What Our Condition Notes Mean
- Tested runner. Run or compression tested and performed well. Ready to fit.
- Good used. Sound engine with normal wear for its age.
- Core. Sold for rebuilding and priced that way.
Common C7 Problems and How to Avoid Them
High pressure oil leaks
HEUI injectors fire using engine oil at high pressure. Leaks from the pump, the lines or injector seals cause hard starting, especially hot. The ICP sensor can also fail and mislead you.
Injector sticking
Old or wrong grade oil makes HEUI injectors stick. Rough running, misfires and smoke follow. Good oil and regular changes matter more on this engine than most.
Valve cover harness
Injector wiring runs under the valve cover and can chafe over time, causing misfire codes.
Particulate filter on 2007 to 2009 engines
Short trips and long idling clog the diesel particulate filter. Let regeneration finish.
Overheating
Blocked radiators and weak water pumps lead to head gasket trouble, as on any diesel.
Fix the root cause first so your Caterpillar C7 engine for sale does not meet the same end as the old one.
Signs You Need a Replacement Engine
- Knocking from the bottom end
- Heavy blow by and oil use
- Coolant in the oil that keeps coming back
- Low compression on several cylinders
- Damage after a turbo or valve failure
Many C7 faults look worse than they are. A failed ICP sensor or a cracked oil line can stop an engine that is otherwise healthy. Send us the symptoms and we will tell you honestly whether to repair or buy a Caterpillar C7 engine for sale.
C7 Compared With the 3126 and C7.1
The 3126 is the older engine of the same size. The electronics, injectors and ratings differ, so it will not plug into a truck wired for a C7. The C7.1 is the later industrial and marine engine with common rail injection. It is not a direct swap for an on highway C7 either.
Replacing like with like is the simplest repair, and that is why we stock the Caterpillar C7 engine for sale rather than suggesting conversions.
Replacing a C7 With a Different Brand
Some owners ask about fitting a Cummins instead. It can be done, but it means a new ECM, wiring, mounts, cooling changes and transmission programming. For most owners it costs far more than a good used C7.
Engine Brake and Accessories
Many truck C7 engines carry an engine brake, and most come with the air compressor, power steering pump drive and alternator brackets for their original vehicle. These parts vary between trucks, buses and motorhomes. If you need to keep your own accessories, we can supply the engine with the matching mounting points so your old parts bolt straight across.
Your quote will list exactly which accessories are fitted to the Caterpillar C7 engine for sale, so there are no surprises when the crate is opened. If something you need is missing, ask us and we will try to source it at the same time to save a second shipment. Bundling parts with the engine is usually cheaper than shipping them separately later.
Long Block or Complete Engine?
A long block is the block, crank, pistons, liners, rods, head and valve train. It suits you if your injectors, high pressure pump, turbo and ECM are healthy.
A complete engine adds the turbo, the HEUI system, injectors, water pump and ancillaries. The price on this page is for a complete Caterpillar C7 engine for sale. Ask us for a long block price if you prefer.
Notes for RV Owners
Many diesel pusher coaches from the mid 2000s carry a C7 rated around 330 to 360 hp. RV engines often sit for months and then climb long grades at full load, which is hard on injectors, seals and cooling.
When you fit a Caterpillar C7 engine for sale in a coach, check the rear radiator, charge air cooler, fan drive and transmission cooler too. Send the coach make, model, year and serial number and we will match the engine.
Notes for Bus and Fleet Operators
Bus engines do stop and start work with long idling, which wears the high pressure oil system and clogs the particulate filter on later engines. We can quote several engines at once and ship them together to cut freight cost. Tell us how many vehicles you run and which prefixes they carry.
Marine and Industrial C7 Engines
Marine and industrial C7 engines share the base block but carry different housings, sumps, cooling and ratings. A truck engine will not drop into a boat without major work.
Tell us the application, serial number and arrangement number and we will look for an engine built for that job.
Before You Fit Your Caterpillar C7 Engine for Sale
- Find and fix the cause of the original failure.
- Clean or replace the radiator and charge air cooler.
- Fill with the oil grade Cat specifies. HEUI engines depend on it.
- Prime the fuel system and check the high pressure oil system for leaks before first start.
- Make sure the ECM software and rating match the vehicle.
- Check transmission settings if the rating has changed.
Simple Care for a Long Engine Life
- Change oil and filters on time with the correct grade.
- Keep fuel clean and change fuel filters regularly.
- Keep the cooling system clean.
- Avoid long idling, especially on 2007 and later engines.
- Fix small oil leaks around the HEUI system early.
Why Choose a Fairly Used C7
A clean used engine is the fastest and cheapest way back on the road. It costs far less than a remanufactured unit and usually less than rebuilding a badly damaged engine once machining, parts and labour are added up.
The C7 is a proven design. With clean oil, clean fuel and a healthy cooling system it runs a very long time. A tested Caterpillar C7 engine for sale from us gives a good chassis many more years of work.
What to Replace While the Engine Is Out
With the engine out of the truck, some jobs become cheap that would be expensive later:
- Engine and transmission mounts
- Radiator hoses, heater hoses and clamps
- Fan clutch or fan drive if worn
- Charge air cooler hoses and clamps
- Fuel filters and the fuel water separator
- Belts and tensioners
Fitting these at the same time protects your Caterpillar C7 engine for sale from small failures that can turn into big ones.
Parts Supply for the C7
So many C7 engines were built that parts are easy to find. Cat dealers support it in most countries, and there is a large aftermarket for overhaul kits, gaskets, injectors, high pressure oil pumps, turbos and water pumps. Most diesel shops know the engine well.
That makes a Caterpillar C7 engine for sale a safe long term buy. If you need parts with your engine, ask when you request a quote.
Notes for School Bus Contractors
School buses start cold, idle a lot and run short routes. That is hard on HEUI injectors and the high pressure oil system, and on the particulate filter of later engines. Bus engines are often rated lower than truck engines and may use different sumps and front ends. Send us the bus make, model and year with the serial number, and we will match a Caterpillar C7 engine for sale built for buses.
Packing Details
Before the engine leaves, we drain oil and coolant and cap every opening: intake, exhaust, turbo ports and oil lines. Loose parts are bagged and tied to the engine.
For sea freight the engine is bolted to a heavy skid or packed in a wooden crate. For air freight the packing is lighter but just as secure. Each Caterpillar C7 engine for sale is photographed again once packed.
Talk to Someone Who Knows Engines
When you contact us, you speak to people who handle engines every day. Tell us what happened to the old engine, what the vehicle does and where it works.
We use that to recommend the right Caterpillar C7 engine for sale, the parts worth replacing while the engine is out and the most sensible shipping option. If a repair makes more sense than a replacement, we will tell you.
Fleet and Multiple Engine Orders
Fleets often need more than one engine, either to fix several vehicles or to keep a spare on the shelf. We can quote several engines together and ship them in one container to bring down the freight cost per engine. Tell us the prefixes and ratings you run, and we will plan a supply of the Caterpillar C7 engine for sale units you need.
Price, Payment and Warranty
The price shown is for a fairly used Caterpillar C7 engine for sale in good running condition. The final figure can change with the rating, the parts included and the shipping destination, so we always send a written quote first.
Payment is by bank transfer only. See our billing terms. Each engine comes with a written warranty, explained in our used engine warranty guide, and our refund and returns policy is open to read before you order.
Worldwide Shipping
We ship every Caterpillar C7 engine for sale by sea or air freight to Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas.
The engine is drained, every opening is capped, and it is bolted to a skid or packed in a crate. You receive tracking, the commercial invoice and the packing list. See our shipping policy for details.
When Your Engine Arrives
- Photograph the skid or crate before opening it.
- Check the serial number against your quote.
- Make sure every listed part is there.
- Turn the crank by hand to confirm it moves freely.
- Contact us within the time on your quote if anything does not match.
Buying an Engine From Abroad Safely
- Ask for photos of the actual engine and its data plate.
- Ask for test results or a running video.
- Get the parts list and warranty in writing.
- Read the seller’s policies before paying.
We do all of this as standard. Our guide on how to buy a used engine online covers more, and our replacement engine cost article explains pricing.
How to Order
- Send your serial number, arrangement number and vehicle details through our contact page, or call +1 (209) 733-0882.
- Get photos and a written quote with shipping.
- Pay by bank transfer.
- We pack and ship with tracking.
For the full background on this engine, read our Caterpillar C7 engine for sale guide.
Who Buys This Engine From Us
Owner operators with a single medium truck. Fleets with yards of M2s and Peterbilts. School bus contractors. Fire departments. RV owners. Diesel shops and engine importers. Whether you need one Caterpillar C7 engine for sale or several, each one is quoted with photos and honest notes.
Related Engines
We also sell the Caterpillar C13, the Caterpillar 3406E, the Cummins ISL and the Isuzu 6HK1. Browse all Caterpillar engines or our full shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a complete engine?
Yes. This Caterpillar C7 engine for sale is a complete engine. Long blocks are available on request.
Is the ECM included?
Only if agreed in writing on your quote.
Is the C7 common rail?
Most on highway C7 engines use HEUI injection. The later C7.1 uses common rail.
Will an RV engine fit my truck?
The core is often the same, but ratings, sumps and front ends differ. Send your serial number and we will match it.
How do I pay?
Bank transfer only.
Can I see the engine before paying?
Yes. We send photos of the actual Caterpillar C7 engine for sale and test notes first.
Ready to get back on the road? Contact us today for photos and a price on this Caterpillar C7 engine for sale.
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