ford with cat motor what to look for?

Stimw · Sep 15, 2014

It's probably worth $2000. for SCRAP!
Every problem you mentioned should be do-able for an average mechanic.

skylarkguy · Sep 16, 2014

Thanks for the input and advice. Stimw you are right it seems like all the above issues are fixable. The speedo needle is actually missing so I think the problem is the gage not the cable. I can probably handle most of the repairs. Generally it will be about just spending time cleaning things up. But what I'm trying to work out is the relative value of the problems so that I can negotiate a lower price...I wouldn't want to pay too much then get wrapped up in a very expensive repair situation.

Wayne64SS · Sep 17, 2014

Whack him on $$ for the clutch, saying you'll have to have it done somewhere. Like the other guy said 3208s aren't supposed to be bad engines at all they just aren't worth rebuilding. If that's got a 2 speed rear it should be a 5 speed spicer or clark main box so they're kinda heavier but much easier than dealing with the 10 speeds that would've been in the truck if it had a single speed rear axle. Those 5 speeds should all be bench rebuildable with no special tools and they're easy. I have one in my pickup I just rebuilt (spicer). That shouldn't have a clutch brake, most med duty 5 speeds didn't I don't think???

Capricious · Sep 17, 2014

Wayne64SS said:
Whack him on $$ for the clutch, saying you'll have to have it done somewhere. Like the other guy said 3208s aren't supposed to be bad engines at all they just aren't worth rebuilding. If that's got a 2 speed rear it should be a 5 speed spicer or clark main box so they're kinda heavier but much easier than dealing with the 10 speeds that would've been in the truck if it had a single speed rear axle. Those 5 speeds should all be bench rebuildable with no special tools and they're easy. I have one in my pickup I just rebuilt (spicer). That shouldn't have a clutch brake, most med duty 5 speeds didn't I don't think???

Interesting read on rebuilding 3208's

http://www.sbintl.com/tech_library/articles/rebuilding_the_cat_3208_diesel.pdf

Alpine Green rules.

Wayne64SS · Sep 17, 2014

Capricious said:
Interesting read on rebuilding 3208's

http://www.sbintl.com/tech_library/articles/rebuilding_the_cat_3208_diesel.pdf

Alpine Green rules.

Great article!!!! Thanks for posting that it was an interesting read. What I meant by not worth rebuilding is that they don't have replaceable liners and are therefore not inframe candidates and the block will require remachining of some sort in order to rebuild.

I agree on Alpine Green!!!! How can I +rep on here. LOL

RobertN · Sep 17, 2014

We have 3208T in our older fire engines. They run fine, but definitely are not a power house.

Capricious · Sep 17, 2014

Wayne64SS said:
Great article!!!! Thanks for posting that it was an interesting read. What I meant by not worth rebuilding is that they don't have replaceable liners and are therefore not inframe candidates and the block will require remachining of some sort in order to rebuild.

I agree on Alpine Green!!!! How can I +rep on here. LOL

I never did much repair on them ("not my job") but I used to run 2-71's, 4-71's, a whole lot of 6-71's, an 8-71 and even a pair of 6-110's (don't remember if the 110's were roots or centrifugul blown).

Nothing would take abuse & neglect and keep running like an old Detroit. Absolutely nothing.

Ran (3) 3208's naturals for a short time period. Seemed like good engines but did not spend much time with them.

D7E · Sep 19, 2014

RobertN said:
We have 3208T in our older fire engines. They run fine, but definitely are not a power house.

I would say the opposite . Fantastic starters in cold weather , small and light , Very snappy and aggressive and pull like a train so long as the rpm's stay up over 2000 . A healthy 210hp natural 3208 will live with any 6 cyl of same size . But will not take low rpm lugging and can throw pistons around the field

.

skylarkguy · Sep 22, 2014

Thanks for the input. Calling around to shops for guestimates on doing the throwout bearing (assuming a clutch at thw same time) is between about $800-$1000. I have to admit that while empty it seemed like that truck could handle all i could dish out. Unfortunately my BIL has gone off the radar on this. The other friend i think is feeling overwhelmed by air brakes...I'd do it myself but lack the funds at the moment. Anyone in the greater dallas oregon want to go in on a truck?

Stimw · Sep 22, 2014

I can't tell you how many trucks I have driven with a noisy throw out bearing but the clutch still worked good!!
In the lower 70's I had a Ford Boom Truck with a 225 CAT engine that had a 5 speed main transmission with a 4 speed auxiliary trans. I had to replace the clutch assembly in it and it was very straight forward and simple. I changed it on a concrete slab in the Building Supply yard!
I borrowed a truck transmission jack from a friends shop, disconnected a short shaft between the transmissions and just moved the main trans back far enough to get front shaft out of the way.
The truck had a double disc clutch. To get it back up and in I put a piece of rope up over the radiator support rod that was attached to the firewall and lifted the clutch assm. while taking up slack in the rope. I got clutch bolts started and removed the rope, lined it up with dummy spline and tightened bolts. Install transmission and short shaft.
It took about 6 hours including going for parts.
The truck weighed 24,500# and I routinely hauled 35-40,000# of concrete block in and around the hills of Cincinnati.