cat 3208 vs cummins 5.9 12 valve - Diesel Forum

dutch diesel · 10-05-2009, 11:49 AM

hello im a new member and already i have two questions.

will a cat 3208 fit in a 1985 f-250 and will my borg warner t19 fit behind the cat?
the same question for the cummins ,will it fit and will the tranny fit?

greetings from rainy amsterdam the netherlands!!!

dino

**Believer45** · 10-05-2009, 03:26 PM

First things first - WELCOME TO THE SITE!! Glad to have you aboard, and greetings sent back from the U S of A.

3208 will fit (I have seen two conversions) but I do not know about the transmission. A lot of fabrication on frame/suspension/engine bay. You will have a weight issue as well. The 3208 is significantly heavier than a Cummins 5.9 "B" motor. The 5.9 will fit pretty easily, in fact there are companies who make engine swap kits for these. Again, I do not know about the transmission behind it though.

There are several folks here who have done the 5.9 swap, I am sure someone will chime in soon.

Dave / Believer45

7.3L F-250 · 10-06-2009, 07:29 PM

the tranny will not bolt to eather without an adaptor plate

and personally id go with the cummins because from what ive been told the 3208's are not rebuildable...but i could have heard wrong

plus the cummins will fit in easyer...and is lighter

nevrenufhp · 10-08-2009, 12:41 PM

The 3208 is just as rebuildable as a Cummins 6bt. The engine has to be pulled out and machined, just like a gasser. The 3208 is REALLY heavy for the power it makes, and isn't a very good swap engine unless you love them. Either engine can be bolted up to a T19, I think there's an adaptor or whole bellhousing for a T19 to SAE. Even still, it likely wouldnt last too long if you up the power any.