engine swap question?
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Scappoose Oregon
engine swap question?
How big of a deal would it be to put a 3208 catterpillar engine into a 1993 F-250
that origanally came w/ a 7.3 litre idi turbo diesel engine? Also what is the difference in weight between those two engines?
that origanally came w/ a 7.3 litre idi turbo diesel engine? Also what is the difference in weight between those two engines?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Several hundred pounds more weight.
2400 RPM limit.
More torque than the driveshaft can stand.
Fabricating motor mounts.
Adapting a different transmission.
Adapting to your existing driveline.
That is only the start of what all is required.
I have a friend here that did this many years ago.
He worked for Cat at the time as a mechanic.
He wound up using a Clark 5 speed out of a bigger truck that was not overdrive.
He made a driveshaft to hook up the transmission to a divorced transfer case.
Top speed was 55 MPH.
And every time he got on the throttle, he twisted the drive shaft off.
Every time he took it to town, it either limped home on the front driveshaft or was towed home.
He took the engine back out that winter.
2400 RPM limit.
More torque than the driveshaft can stand.
Fabricating motor mounts.
Adapting a different transmission.
Adapting to your existing driveline.
That is only the start of what all is required.
I have a friend here that did this many years ago.
He worked for Cat at the time as a mechanic.
He wound up using a Clark 5 speed out of a bigger truck that was not overdrive.
He made a driveshaft to hook up the transmission to a divorced transfer case.
Top speed was 55 MPH.
And every time he got on the throttle, he twisted the drive shaft off.
Every time he took it to town, it either limped home on the front driveshaft or was towed home.
He took the engine back out that winter.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,438
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From: Monroe, WA
It's been done a few times. Someone had an Ebay link posted up with a Cat powered Ford a while back. Not sure where it is now.
I wouldn't recommend it unless you really like the idea of a big slobbering boat anchor under yor hood.
They have the same "pinhole" problems with their blocks too.
I wouldn't recommend it unless you really like the idea of a big slobbering boat anchor under yor hood.
They have the same "pinhole" problems with their blocks too.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2006
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dont use a 3208, use the detriot 4-53 it is older and harder to find, but a better fit and less trouble with better drivability. they are still cheaper to rebuild and the power is as good eventhough it is a smaller engine. i have 2 friends that did it and no problems as yet. and they get 25 mpg!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
A two stroke Detroit and 25 MPG.
I would have to see that.
Lots of noise, no go though.
The only one I ever drove that you didn't have to slam your finger in the door and get mad at to get anywhere was the 8V92 TTA. At 736 cubic inch displacement it did go rather well.
A 4-53 is only 212 cubic inches, half of a 6.9.
I would have to see that.
Lots of noise, no go though.
The only one I ever drove that you didn't have to slam your finger in the door and get mad at to get anywhere was the 8V92 TTA. At 736 cubic inch displacement it did go rather well.
A 4-53 is only 212 cubic inches, half of a 6.9.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Monroe, WA
Hey Dave, we're building Detroits left and right at work. Right now we're building an 8V-92TA for a rear engine GM bus. We are also working on a 4-71 that we have in the teardown stage. That blower would be cute on a 6.9.
We had a 1 ton Chevy in the shop years ago with a 4-53 in it. It had a 4 spd and a 2 speed behind it. It pulled pretty well due to the extra gears, but ate clutches regularly.
We had a 1 ton Chevy in the shop years ago with a 4-53 in it. It had a 4 spd and a 2 speed behind it. It pulled pretty well due to the extra gears, but ate clutches regularly.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
You see many cracked blocks on the 8-92?
One of the companies I worked for bought a dozen when the 8-92 first came out.
Within the first 100,000 miles 8 of them had cracked blocks.
That was back in 1980 though.
One of the companies I worked for bought a dozen when the 8-92 first came out.
Within the first 100,000 miles 8 of them had cracked blocks.
That was back in 1980 though.
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if you already knew what you wanted to do.....why did you ask? as far as the remark about the horsepower, the 3208 makes 210-250 depending on which one, the powerstroke is lighter and ,makes more power.
Last edited by Dave Sponaugle; Nov 25, 2006 at 07:49 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Monroe, WA
The old "green" block 92s had issues and Detroit came out with the silvers to fix them. Some people swear there was nothing wrong with the green blocks, but Detroit ordered them all 'broken' and thrown away and gave the owners good deals on new blocks.
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