Anyone know the displacement of the 3208? Did this engine evolve into anything else or was it just killed? Also, what do the numbers mean on the old Cat engines?

 

10.4 liters. It went on for a few years in industrial and marine applications after they stopped putting it in trucks. It was a dead end AFAIK.

 

When it breaks throw it in the scrap yard.

 

It's also 636 cubic inches. Used to be in Olivers.

 

also gave cats the name "clatterpillar". used in many different applications from trucks to farm equip. the oliver 2255s that came with them are a neat tractor.

 

they brake ----- alot

 

The term Clatterpillar came from the pre-combustion style head before direct injection common to 1674, 1693, 3300PC, 3400PC truck engines and other series CAT engines. 3208 engines were the upgrade of a 1100 series light industrial V8 engine that was even less reliable and gutless, best place for these engines is next to the Cummins 555 V8 with a chain welded to it and used as an anchor. 3208's sound nothing like 3306PCTA or 3406PCTA pre-cup engines, they actually sound more like a sick 7.3.

 

Thanks for all of the information. I'm boat shopping and a lot of these late '70 boats have 3208s. I'll try to avoid if I can but if anyone has more info please keep it coming. I had heard of these things referred to as "boat anchors."

 

A 3208 in a boat is not good if the rating is much over 300hp. They just dont last very long much above that.

 

The non turbo engines sounded awesome with strait pipes (but so do 6.2l ) They are alright for their intended application. I worked on a lot of them a few years back. When properly maintained they had a decent service life compared to gas engines of their time period.

Speaking of dinosaur CATS, gotta love the flame starts with a little ether. Always heard about that at least 1 time per winter.

 

edit right scrap it . i know at work we threw 3 out with in a years time

 

I have a friend with twin 425 horse 3208's in a 42 footer, just under 20,000 hours, never had major work, when he tells people this they say "No way", especially the Cat mechanics! But they've always been ran easy and well maintained.
But your right, the 210 horse NA's ran forever in boats, as the HP went up life went down.

 

On a positive note, they run rather quiet for being a 10.4 litre diesel. And, extended idle time can kill them too. As mentioned already, a well maitained 3208 can last a long time.

 

Good engines that can last a very long time if maintaned and not beat on and turned way up. We've had them in our combine and we have 2- 2255 Olivers with them in them and also our L8000 Grain truck with a 20 foot bed has one and they are all N/A and we havent ever had a lick of major trouble with any of them. And that old truck dont get run easy lol....

 

Sad part about it being in a boat - how would you go about switching it out (or even removing it) if it were to die on you? Seems the boats I've had experance with were practically built around the engine(s) and it would be a real challange to swap one out.

I would say if you used it gently, it probably would last a long time if it's been cared for. Probably not too high of hours on these? Pleasure or business boat? Get all the documentation you can - it's still got to be a better solution than an old 6V72 or 8V92 Detroit.