3208 Na

[Ncostello]

Are there any injector pump adjustments to increase fuel delivery on a late 80's Cat 3208 NA diesel? Under no conditions can I make it produce black smoke... and it seems a little weaker than other 3208's in similar truck applications. I figured until I see a little black smoke, I'll assume it isn't getting enough fuel yet. Or am I facing piston meltdown by fooling with the settings... if there are any?

 

[willyslover]

my expierence is not to mess to much with 3208's..... better to find a very large 30 yd. dump bin and a fork lift.....

Just Kidding ya. . kinda sorta

have not had good dealings with them. . in fact even the Cat dealers I know didn't like them. .



so if yours is running good I wouldn't mess with it... just know it's a little under powered to the rest

 

[R.E. Miller]

Just let it be.

FWIW, those things are touchy to extra power, I would leave it where it's at, and get another engine the next time around. Cat engines are for the most part stout, this wasn't one of them.



Russell

 

[rkressg]

I would not play with that engine. That is CAT's black sheep motor. If you get more than 300,000 out of it, it is a miracle. They were gutless pigs but they are fuel efficent. your best bet is to leave it alone, pull it out, sell it for scrap and wedge a C-16 under the hood.

 

[JPS]

na 3208

We have a few 3208's in the area. Used in farm tractors. Some have 5000 hrs. Only rod bearings replaced at about 2000 hours. Cat told me 10 % turn up was about the max. Turbo would help. A turboed engine is a little heavier engine. I think the turn up is at the injection pump. Best to put pump on test stand or talk to someone that knows these engines. I really can't complain about the one I have. Wish it were a T engine. Needs more air in my opinion. It's in a 4-210 White farm tractor. jps

 

[Ncostello]

I thought about getting a turbo kit for it from the local truck junk yard. Too much work for what I want.



It runs fine, fires up instantly, does not use any oil, and does not leak at all. So I guess I'm lucky in those respects. I just thought the fuel was a little on the low side.



Funny thing is its 210 HP where the marine versions could go up to about 425 HP. The 3208T was good for 250 HP in a truck application. That was the max. Actually, I think I'd replace it with a 6BT. I'm sure I could get all the HP and torque I wanted then.

 

[drees1]

I think you were only allowed 20 sec at 420 HP in the marine version. Get the sport fishing boat up on plane and back off. Plus ice cold sea water intercooling, and low compression ratio help. Can't see the smoke if you dump it underwater, or water it down the exhaust. 3208 is ok with rpm though. 3000 is do able, and a speed turn up might help if you can get 5mph more out of each gear on the way up. The 250 Hp verson blew up in tandem dump trucks constantly. Stick with 210.