Better understanding

[Jeff Miller]

The 3208 is the evolution of an earlier V-8 caterpillar engine, and
is a 4-stroke.

It starts very well even in low temps, I picked up my first 'Bird
(3208) at 10*F without block heat.

My experience with the 3208-powered FCs is that they get around 8-
9mpg. The larger the engine the faster I drive, so all mine from
210hp to 300hp got 8-9 (except when I drove to FL and back at 75-
80mph, then around 7.5).

ZF is a very large manufacturer in Germany. They make a lot of car
transmissions, people like Porsche or BMW for example use ZF
transmissions, so do the Detroit carmakers when they don't have
anything on the shelf and need a good transmission for a limited-
production high-horsepower car. Their current ZF bus transmission is
very popular on the S-60 engine in large buses such as Prevost,
VanHool, MAN, etc. It has a direct-shift automatic that can go
directly to the selected gear instead of shifting in order, plus a
robust design, I hear that drivers love them.

The ZF 5-HP-500 Series 2 transmission in the 'Bird is more commonly
used in bus fleets and in mobile cranes. A very good transmission in
my opinion, much smoother and more car-like than the mechanical
Allison, I love everything except that it takes a bit of pre-planning
as it is reluctat to downshift. The infinately-variable integral
retarder is extremely effective, with three operating modes similar
to the ones on a HD-4060, it is a joy to drive.

Beware of previous owners' maintenance on this (and any) transmission
however, the maintenance interval of the ZF is 12months for
fluid/filter change on standard ATF. I would question the life
expectancy of a transmission with neglected fluid changes.

Allison Transynd (Castrol - synthetic) is an excellent match for this
transmission also, it extends the maintenance interval and helps to
transfer heat out of the transmission during retarder use.

It is reliable, only a few problems I've heard of, mainly
external/voltage related. The biggest concern that people have is
that the ZF has more limited service facilities in the US compared to
Allison being in every sizeable town.

Personally I'd take the ZF "hands-down" over the MT-643 transmission.
I love driving it, and I'm not at all afraid of it. Of course I'll
take a new CAT C-13 powered 'Bird also, ...

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "The Squires" squires@...> wrote:
>
> Jeff,
>
> WOW! Thanks! I think this explanation should go in the files
section. I
> certainly plan to keep it. So the 3208 predates the V series. Was
it also
> 2-cycle? I have read about several problems with the ZF
transmission: Who
> made it and how easy is it to get repaired.
>
> Thanks again for this wealth of information,
> Jimmy