Why the rebuilds?

[putneyflash@...>]

A 3208 should go about 250,000 miles before overhaul, I have seen some go as
high as 500,000 miles.. Because it is a parent block engine ( no liners) The
block usually is oversized to 10, 20, 50 thousands and this requires new pistons
and rings. Like howard said the early guys had a lot of problems, NO 1 of all
times was the valve springs, they would break. Cat replaced every set in a 3208
in a on highway application. Number 7 and 8 pistons would gald due to over
heating. bigger theromstats solved this. Early models have low compresson on one
bank causing a lot of white smoke at start up. If it is turbo or turbo and after
cooled all these problems were solved before production.
I think now it is a good sound engine use a good grade 15-40 oil.
You can also buy a remaned short block or long block from cat as a repair
option, Don't buy one with a crankshaft turned 50 thousandth.

> From: "Howard O. Truitt" > Date: 2007/09/04 Tue AM 08:53:31 EDT
> To:
> Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Why the rebuilds?
>
> Ron,
> I understand your comments. My partner was the shop manager, head mechanic
and supervisor over the drivers. We assigned a driver to a truck and he had to
answer for the truck.
> Howard
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: ronmarabito2002
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, September 03, 2007 10:00 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Why the rebuilds?
>
>
> Howard: You are overlooking the fact that the trucks do not belong to
> the drivers, thus they usually could care less about the maintenance
> and the any warnings from the vehicle. If they run them into the
> ground, it's no skin off their nose.
>
> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, tX 92WB40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Howard O. Truitt"
> wrote:
> >
> > Kerry,
> > I was before retiring the senior partner and ceo of a food service
> company here in Georgia.
> > We ran a fleet of refrigerated trucks powered with 3208 cats and we
> sure had our troubles. We did employ some very able mechinics to work
> on them in our garage.
> > Howard
> > 86 PT40
> > Camilla, Ga.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: davidkerryedwards
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Monday, September 03, 2007 1:03 PM
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Why the rebuilds?
> >
> >
> > It would be interesting to know the comparative life spans of
> engines in bus applications
> > vs. engines in motorhome applications. With buses there is
> generally (at least with
> > schoolbuses), a mechanic who is responsible for their mechanical
> health. There isn't such
> > a mechanic with most motorhomes, and many people who buy
> motorhomes are not
> > themselves mechanics, meaning a problem which might be caught
> early and fixed is not
> > as likely to be detected in a motorhome, particularly pushers
> where sounds and smells are
> > a long way from the driver. Add to that the fact that people with
> enough $$ to buy these
> > coaches new, are of advanced age with sensory skills past their
> prime.
> > My Fc had the engine replaced at 75k. Records show a rod went thru
> the block. Don't
> > know why, but those kinds of events usually give some kind of warning.
> >
> > Kerry
> > 82 FC 35
> > Denver
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bingomaster05"
>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > I am new to your forum, and plan on purchasing a Wanderlodge
> within the
> > > next two years. I feel that a used "Bird" is better than most new
> > > coaches on the market. But here is the question: If a diesel
> engine is
> > > capable of up to a million miles, why do so many units I have found
> > > listed for sale have rebuilt engines? Most of these units have just
> > > slightly over 100,000 miles. Is this mainly due to being poorly
> > > maintained and general neglect, or the fact that they sit for
> extended
> > > periods of time. I see units with about 100,000 miles and think
> they
> > > are hardly broken in, yet they may need rebuilt, it will make it
> harder
> > > to know what to choose. Thanks alot..this is a great site.
> > >
> > > Dan Thomas
> > > PT 40 (soon)
> > > Central PA
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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