Where Do I find a used CAT 3208

[McCRam]

We have a ford F8000 that needs a new motor. Uncle ran it without coolant and scored a cylinder wall. We really don't want to dump to much dough into it I believe it is an early 80's model. Well anyway I am looking to put a used motor in it. Does anyone know of a good source for used diesels. Not opposed to putting a different motor in it, but I am thinking that would be more money.

 

[MMeier]

We have a ford F8000 that needs a new motor. Uncle ran it without coolant and scored a cylinder wall. We really don't want to dump to much dough into it I believe it is an early 80's model. Well anyway I am looking to put a used motor in it. Does anyone know of a good source for used diesels. Not opposed to putting a different motor in it, but I am thinking that would be more money.

Go buy your local truck stop and pick up some of the truck trader mags they have by the exit, all kinds of truck salvage places with in a days drive of you up there.

 

[Dieselnut59]

We had a Ford 8000 rollback years ago. It had the 3208. What a POS!!! That has GOT to be the junkiest engine they ever built! The sick thing would not get out of its own way! CAT had some nice inline 6 engines in that same era. If I were replacing, I would upgrade to the inline 6. I think one of them is a 3416 and maybe a smaller one is a 3116. I think a natural aspiration 3208 is rated for about 120 horsepower. All the inline 6's in that era had more power (and reliability!).

 

[Wingate]

We have a ford F8000 that needs a new motor. Uncle ran it without coolant and scored a cylinder wall. We really don't want to dump to much dough into it I believe it is an early 80's model. Well anyway I am looking to put a used motor in it. Does anyone know of a good source for used diesels. Not opposed to putting a different motor in it, but I am thinking that would be more money.

I'm not sure if there is such an animal as a "good running used 3208"... j/k. Not sure what a good used one would cost, but you can get a reman 3208 long block from Cat pretty reasonable.

Personally, i'm not very fond of the 3208, the injection pump design is aggrevating, especially where the transfer pump is located. But, if I had my choice between the 3208 and the 3116A, guess I would choose the 3208. As much as the 3208 can be aggrevating and low powered, it CAN be durable. The 3116A is a decent engine, but is a COMPLETE pain to set the fuel system up on. The 3116B, 3126B, and C-9 are much better engines that are capable of alot more power/torque. Only prob. is more cost, fabrication, etc..... Good luck.

 

[McCRam]

I appreciate the replies. Although We have never been impressed with the motor it has never let us down. This failure is pure operator error. This truck rarely sees a paved road and the current gears will not allow speeds over 55. We do not need more power than what this motor delivers.

If we were to swap in a different motor, Are CAT motors easy to swap parts from the V8, to an I6. Looking through some want ads I have found some 8000's with 5. 9l and 8. 3l cummins. I appreciate your thoughts any any options you think we may have. We are looking at all options right now including buying another truck.

 

[InfernoB]

I saw this topic last week, and got my Boats & Harbors Wednesday. Don't know this company, but they have an ad in the paper. Adelman Companies has yellow truck engines.