3208T CAT, any good????

[LarryB]

I'm just starting to think about class A motorhomes and am thinking the mid 80s Bluebird Wanderlodge might fit my bill. Does anyone have any experience with the 3208 CAT? This engine seems to be quite popular in these.



Power?

Durability?

Ease of repair?



Thanks,

Larry

 

[JLinder]

Keep in mind I'm not a professional,

but I used to work in a heavy truck parts store. ODOT had a shop not to far from us and had a few Fords with the 3208 in them. They didn't buy to much in the way of parts, just the usual water pumps and such. That being said, the few I've driven didn't have a whole lot of power. I don't know much about buses, but I think I would look for something with a inline 6 rather than a V8.





Like I said, I'm not a professional. Just my thoughts.



Just had a thought: What about buying one of them surplus buses that bend in the middle? You know, the ones used for public transportation. That would be different.

 

[MY6EATSV8'S]

I to have asked about these motors, most replied that they were basically not a very good motor. Max power was a pathetic 250 hp most were 215. You can turn them up but they are said to be on the verge of self destruction at the 250 level.

 

[Midnite]

Larry, you might want to talk to a few places that work on marine diesels. The 3208 is very popular in Grand Banks yachts, among others.



Mike

 

[Jvann]

3208 experience

Had experience with one 3208 non turbo engine in a GMC single axle dump truck. Late eightys model. Pulled OK (not like an I6), got decent fuel mileage, and self-destructed showing less than 200K (which may not have been correct as we bought the truck used). Those rods make a hellava hole in a crankcase. Not a pretty sight. Just my one experience with the 3208. Hope it helps

in your decision but as you can see it's pretty negative. I'm sure others have had positive experiences with the engine. LOL.

 

[BCFAST]

3208 any good?

Nope.

 

[E7mack96]

3208

only one I had anything to do with broke the crank clean in half.

Was not being abused either.

 

[LarryB]

Dang! That's what I figured. Shoot! The bluebird seems like such a well built coach too. And I don't think I'm up to doing an engine swap on one either.

 

[RThompson]

We briefly considered an older Bluebird before buying a new PU.

I think the AT545 Allison is used in most of the older Bluebirds. Without the 6 speed box there wouldn't be much in the way of economy. Look into this thread for more on the 3208T. http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...ogle+Search&meta=group=rec.outdoors.rv-travel

I never had the opportunity to work on these motors but I never heard to much negative. When they were introduced some mechanics thought they were a throw away blocks due to the lack of wet sleeves. Sure are a big item in marine applications.

Bluebirds are quality touring RV's.

 

[CUMAPART]

3208=SLOW

We have a dump with the 3208 and it can barely get out of its own way when it's empty. No power but it starts eveyday and and it is a fuel miser.

 

[Skydiver]

Just the facts.

I worked part time from 1992 till 1997 in a heavy truck shop doing service work and about once a month I would have to replace a clutch(man those eatons are heavy).

From what I heard the full-time mechanics say the 3208 (they referred to it as a 32-0-nothing) is cats black-sheep.

If I had to own one make very sure that the maint. was kept up. I wish I could shed a positive light on the subject.

Tim

 

[Archive]

We ran two Ford straight trucks with 3208's. The crankshaft snapped in two on both of them.

 

[Philip]

I have worked around,on and under 3208's. These are throw away motors. Use it till it dies. Then throw it away. I have seen them break cranks. I have seen them split cylinder walls. If you run one out of fuel. It takes about three hours to get the system bled out agin.



I would use a Detroit before I would use one of these. P. S. I don't like Detroit's to much eather.



Look for a MCI motor coach. A lot of them came out with cummins in them. Then convert it.

 

[B9Mile]

Some info here:



http://marineforums.com/index.cfm?cfapp=1

 

[DGFoster]

We had three in Florida in dump trucks and they were always being rebuilt,but had one in a front loader that ran strong for years. .

 

[roadhawg]

3208

We have one in A 5 yard dump that has run good (not much power) for years, Allso did A conversion into A 1985 chevy crew cab duelly. It got water in the fuel and ruined the pump $1700

The motor seems underpowered but will hold a gear well after its reved up.

Feels like maby 550ftlbs.

The crewcab got 12 mpg.

My $. 02 worth hope it helps.

Eric,

 

[rkressg]

I had some naturally asperated 3208 in some old Ford 10 tons. They were gutless pigs. They started every day even on the coldest days in pittsburgh. We drove these trucks to death. They all got regular mantinance, but all had between 300,000 and 600,000 miles. They ran all right, nothing spectacular, our b-series motors would hold up better in this situation. If you want a real Cat motor, use a 3406 / C16 engine. It would be worth every cent, if you could make it fit under the hoodOo. Oo. Oo.

 

[446]

Hey Larry

I've been dreaming about a bus myself. Check out this site for some info.

http://n6ecv.net/bus.htm

and here

http://www.busnut.com/home.html

Plenty of info

Older GMC's seem to be priced right. already converted. Eagle's also look real good. I went to a local city auction just to look, and they were selling OTR Neoplan buses (84 - 87) for 2-4K$. City buses were going for $1000. Some came with brand new motors and transmisions.

Looks like Detroit is the engine of choice.

ebay is a good place to find prices also, although I dont think I would buy one there.

http://listings.ebaymotors.com/aw/plistings/list/category6728/index.html

 

[GeneralMachine]

Throw Away Engine 3208

Larry You need to listen to these guy's the 3208 in not a good choice,of engine when they quit you throw then away. Harv

 

[LarryB]

Thanks for all your input guys. Looks like the 3208 is not for me. What I really want is a class A with a C series Cummins in it. Mmm... Maybe a swap into a Blue Bird wouldn't be so bad. Where is my tape measure anyway?