R Model w/3208?

[Joseph Cummings]

On 5/12/2025 at 12:04 PM, tjc transport said:

A real slug even on flat ground

I drove a Louieville with one in it that was a "snooper truck" for going under bridges. 5x4 and a tandem. Here in Northeast Pa, and Northwest Pa is was really really slow

[Joey Mack]

I wonder if id like one in my C-30 ?? Nevermind the gearing..

[67RModel]

I posted this a while back in another thread:

Years ago at one of my first laboring jobs as a teenager we had one in a 1988 GMC Top Kick dump truck. 33,000 GVW with a 2 speed rear end. I couldn't drive it because it was a CDL truck but everyone who did abused the ever loving snot out of that truck/engine. Always overloaded. Under maintained and just down right abused. Some of the guys did it intentionally because the rest of the truck was just utter GM junk and they didn't like driving it. That thing never missed a beat. That engine would start and run no matter what. The company ended up selling it years later to a farmer who just wanted it for his property. The frame got bad rust jacking and nobody would pass the state inspection on it but it ran like a sewing machine when the guy took it away. That's my only experience with a 3208 but have always heard they were underpowered for their size (10.0L) and not "good" engines. 

 

My guess is if used and maintained properly they are probably as good as any other engine....

[tjc transport]

53 minutes ago, Joey Mack said:

I wonder if id like one in my C-30 ?? Nevermind the gearing..

problem with the 3208 in a pickup is going to be trying to keep a driveshaft in it. 

[Joey Mack]

I wondered that myself..

[Joey Mack]

Mine is a C-30 with a granny tranny, and 4:11 rear gears.

[Geoff Weeks]

1 hour ago, Joseph Cummings said:

Van Norman Purr-fect-O 944-S and 977-S have entered the chat, S stands for "Sucker Outer" made for in-chassis cylinder boring. "Purr because you are boring a Cat)

 

Some of these installs have to have access holes/plugs in the cab to get headbolt out, That would preclude any in chassie boring.

Portable boring is nice when there is room to work, and be sure it is set-up accurately, unfortunately, that is a rarity

[67RModel]

Probably a front spring upgrade too. I would think they are pretty heavy compared to a 350 or 454 gasser. 

[67RModel]

If I remember correctly they have a real nice distinct sound to them too. Maybe it was the muffler that was on the truck. But it sounded real nice and kinda mean. Like I said I never drove it but rode in it many times. From the passenger seat it seemed like it revved like a gasser. Almost like it had no flywheel on it. But you could also lug it down pretty hard and it would pull the weight.

[davehummell]

Back in the 70's I worked on quite a few 3208 I guess they were ok but it seemed like they were installed in trucks that needed more engine. when they brought out the d-3 and the 931loaders it was half of a 3208. I remember working on 1160's they were before the 3208's those old 1160's would clear the shop when they started up cold.  

[Joey Mack]

One of the fleet's i serviced had a Cat V-250 forklift with a fresh 3208.  It ran great and didnt struggle in that huge forklift.. I moved a lot of metal with that lift truck..  

[cruiseliner64]

3 hours ago, The Heinz said:

I love the sound of those EMD diesels, especially the 16-645 in the SD40-2 series. I do love the roots-blown motors too, sounds like a beefy tractor. 

Yeah,the sound of an EMD is something to behold.When I started driving there were still some old locos with 8V645s.We worked them in pairs and the sound of a pair in full cry was pure class....

Paul

[Joseph Cummings]

5 hours ago, Geoff Weeks said:

Some of these installs have to have access holes/plugs in the cab to get headbolt out, That would preclude any in chassie boring.

Portable boring is nice when there is room to work, and be sure it is set-up accurately, unfortunately, that is a rarity

Yeah it's great when you have room to work. Unfortunately that is not often anymore