Max sustained pre-turbo pyro temp on 3208

[Trango]

Hi Folks,

First off, thanks for the resource that TDS has provided to me over the years - this site has been very helpful with information about the Cat 3208 that doesn't otherwise exist on the net.

I have been searching for the following information for literally months (well, when I happen to think of it), and whereas I've read HEAPS of information about EGT, EGT theory in general etc., I cannot find continuous EGT ratings specific to the 3208.

I've recently cooled the charge on my 3208 using a small Isuzu intercooler off ebay, and it does seem to help with my EGT's, allowing me (to think in terms of speed) to basically keep up with heavily loaded semi's. My 3208 started off as a N/A remanufactured unit that I've added a stock 3208 AirResearch Turbo, with all necessary intake and exhaust mods. My IP is still a stock NA unit. I am unsure if I have the so-called "oil squirters" under the pistons. I have been told many times that all remanned 3208 long blocks were built to turbo specs, but since I've not heard this straight from Cat, I'm of the mindset that would require personal inspection before trusting this advice.

I run my pyro pre-turbo, and I'm very careful to keep it at 1050 or below, but I have tons more power available when going up grades and I'd like to know where I can safely stick this thing. For instance, my backyard hill is the Eisenhower Tunnel stretch of Interstate 70, which is so notorious for giving vehicles heck that it's regularly used by both domestic and international automakers for testing mules, but it's the last place you'd want to melt down an aluminum piston.

Thanks heaps in advance for any replies specific to this engine.

Best,
Bob

[Kaliburz]

I would think that is a safe limit to keep it at. You have to remember, it's a 3208. I don't know how much weight you are hauling or what your engine is in. If I recall, the highest HP rating a 3208 ever had was 300HP and it was in a 3208 T with an intercooler (or aftercooler), forgot which. Usually they were in RV bus chassis or in a few of the GMC/Chevy trucks. And from what I have heard, it didn't last long as a 300HP engine being pushed.

A friend who use to work for Cat told me not to push those engines (ie don't load too heavy or expect too much). They are a med. duty truck engine. He said he saw people who tried to load 80K GVWR on them and expected them to last 300K miles. They were orginally built as a 200-225HP engine when the speed limit was still 55MPH and a truck going up a grade was 'expected' to slow down to 40-45MPH OR less. He said the expected life for a 3208 was 200-250,000 miles. Less if it was pushed hard.

I purchased a tandem axle C series Ford cab over some years ago (used). I inquired on 'bumping' the engine HP up either w/ a IP pump OR a turbo. My engine is the 200HP EGR version (sucks) and he told me that set this way, this engine would last me forever (seasonal truck). I barely reach 50K gross and grades are a challenge, but it's an old truck..... Truck alone weighs just under 20K..... It can't get out of it's own way (though the axle ratio has something to do with that), smokes a storm when I start it, but it starts and purrs.

We still have a bunch of 3208 powered school buses at work, ranging from early 80's NA version to a few later model 3208T's. For what they are, they seem to handle the abuse of stop and go. They are an over weight, under powered engine (10.4L and only 225HP). They were built during an era with different rules/expectations.....

OH, don't let me get you down. My buddy also built a Frankenstein 3208 for his custom toy 1 ton Ford truck. Engine pieces were salvaged from his work over the years. He said that probably, it made 250HP as a NA engine. He put that in a late 60's for high boy (I think) and had a GM Turbo 400 (built) to handle the power. And it had a Gear Vendors OverDrive to get the engine RPM's lower (had a 4.10 axle). He was going to swap a 3.55 in for better fuel economy. He was doing diesel before people even wanted diesels in their pickup......

When treated correctly, a 3208 will give years of service.....

[rmr]

Trango, I'm curious what is your EGT when cruising on flat ground?
I have a 3208T in my boat, 260HP, no aftercooler.
On long runs I keep it below 750 degrees EGT. That's around 2200 rpm. But with todays fuel prices that'll be down to 1800-1900 rpm
9000 hours on it so far, one set of injectors and a few valve adjustements and the O rings on the oil cooler is all thats been done, knock on wood.