How good is a Cat 3208 Diesel engine ?
I am in the process of swapping engines in a ford dump I own. I removed the Detriot fuel pincher and am replacing it with a Cat 3208.
I have heard mixed reviews and am looking for some info on the Cats reliability and if they can be rebuilt in the future.
I have heard mixed reviews and am looking for some info on the Cats reliability and if they can be rebuilt in the future.
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My father in law was an engineer at CAT and took part in the original design and testing of the 3208. In the early years it was a great engine.
Not sure about the more recent ones...0 -
use to work for an international dealer we dealt in cat detroit cummins and of course int'l the cat makes a real good engine but i personally like a cummins better parts are cheaper and seems to last longer 0 -
the 3208 is a work horse in the Alaska fishing fleet in marine trim. 0 -
I believe that it is a very popular lobsterboat engine along the Maine coast. Very dependable. In a lobsterboat, sometimes the engine will run at redline for over an hour straight if not more, depending on the owner. 0 -
Stuff in a 3408 and be the real big dog.
3208 is a good engine, keep the oil changed and don't run it hot and it'll last a real long time.0 -
The 3208, as stated is a true workhorse, but parts can be expensive and labor is much worse. 0 -
changing the water pump on the old ones was a 4 hour+ job...the PLASTIC impeller always breaks too soon, and excessive weep hole drainage some things to think about 0 -
no sleeves in the 3208 nor did the 8.2 detroit i assume what you have now.....take a cat over a detroit anyday 0 -
Thanks for the info. It was made in 1987 and has 131,000 miles. It was s county salt plow/truck. The oil was always changed. I drained it out and it looked very clean. It smokes a lot and I am told it is very normal ??? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by cowdoc
no sleeves in the 3208
Exactly, however they can be rebuilt. They are decent engines designed to compete with the light/medium duty engines such as your 8.2 Detroit. Have been around and operated several in shop trucks and Cat also used them in the 225 excavator and 227 Logger.
They are kind of a slug in naturally aspriated form, but the turbocharged ones can go to 250hp in trucks(300+ if you tweak the horsepower screw and watch the pyrometer)in marine they take them to 350-375hp.
Keep in mind that these are kind of a pricer engine designed to compete with other pricer diesels. They are not million mile engines that will take the place of the 3300 and 3400 series Cats.
There are thousands of L-series Ford trucks on the road powered by a 3208 Clatterpillar.0 -
Yes they're smokers until they warm up. I have worked on them until they quit smoking, but unless you can do all the work yourself it is libel to cost you thousands of dollars. Best to let them smoke, doesn't hurt anything except your pride. 0 -
My diesel mechanic said its just a valve adjustment, does that sound true ? 0 -
MT357, yep i have rebuilt sleeve less diesel engines...they can be bored and dry sleeve put in also.....around 100 a hole last i knew been awhile ago on that price 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nyforester
My diesel mechanic said its just a valve adjustment, does that sound true ?
I have found that it is usually a combination of valve adjustment, injector nozzles, and fuel timing. DO NOT let anybody talk you into buying rebuilt Cat injectors. Real hard to get good ones, step up and buy new if you get them.0 -
CAT 3208 = high-speed throw-away motor.
NOT very popular around here at all.
[8D]barto[8D]0 -
10,000 hrs is not uncommon, keep oil changed. they usually have a problem at the injector pump . if hard starting or excessive feul smoke look here, but as cowdoc said i'll take a cat anyday over a detroit[;)] 0 -
Good thing is used heads for a 3208 are cheap and plentiful. Bad thing is the reason for this is that there are so many of them with rods through block laying around. We sold used diesel engines and parts for years before getting into the used forklift business. Average price around here for a good used running 3208 is $500-$1000.
P.S. barto is right. they are a throw away motor.0 -
the western star we just got has the 3406b...not a lick of smoke. The other one we're dealing on is a c-15 cat, 500hp. both are pretty good, but the 'b' is all mechanical.
Smoke can come from a lot of places, like leaky injectors, etc....0 -
Would you guys please explain what a throw away engine is? 0 -
A throw a way engine is just that-- better to buy a new one than fix the old one.
Cheaper in the long run..........0 -
quote:Originally posted by rcrxmike_2
the western star we just got has the 3406b...not a lick of smoke. The other one we're dealing on is a c-15 cat, 500hp. both are pretty good, but the 'b' is all mechanical.
Smoke can come from a lot of places, like leaky injectors, etc....
my pete has 3406E would hate to go back to mechanicals my combine,pickup and excursion also has computer diesel.....the only way to go,[:D]0 -
I sell a fair amount of 3208 & other Cat engines, they are a good engine, natural or turbo? as long as you get everything to hook up bell housing and such, everything is available little spendy from Cat but make sure you have everything to drop it in before you start and don't have to search for parts later.
Hope this helps,
Tom, Stockton Calif.
Dyna Rider
"Ride it like you stole it"0 -
does anything in my junk help about the cat?
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/SellerAuctions.asp?User=6434&SearchType=5&Keywords=id:6434&Page=2&Items=500
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