Newbie wants an FC but worried about the Cat 3208 engine

[bubblerboy64]

I am new to this and far from expert. I have owned a large number of
diesel engined vehicles. I have my opinions which are not based on a
thing other then my personal experiences. 1) a diesel engine is NOT
going to last longer then a gasoline engine based on the fact that it
is a diesel. An explanation for that statement was made and I would
suggest that the truth was spoken. 2) diesel engines love to run
continually at about 2000 rpm and are not well suited to stop and go
use or sitting for long periods of time not being used. 3) You can
bet a 3208 cat that made it to high miles was used regularly. Used
correctly and serviced well. 4) I think the 3208 is a good engine if
used correctly. Now there is one point I would make. Couple of you
guys have stated that the later engines in the BB are better because
they are turboed and produce more hp. I will tell you this. My 31
ft converted bus has a 3208 NA in it and it has plenty of power for
my use. My coach is a lot lighter the the 80's model coaches and I
think the engine has a easier lot in life then the turboed engines. I
keep the speed down and I am hoping the 3208 will last for lots of
years. I know that some of these engines have been pushed to 300 hp
and I maintain there is no free lunch. My point is that a properly
maintained and driven older FC might? be just as good as a newer one.
There are any number of factors involved in this with good or bad
luck perhaps being one of them. I am not a "lover" of diesel engines
especially. I have had Peugeot, BMW, Mazda, cars with diesel engines
and currently own a Chevy truck and this MH with diesels. I like the
way a diesel performs but I also know from experience that they are
expensive to repair and not more bullet proof or dependable or better
then a gas engine. That being said who would want a gasoline engine
in a BB? Not many of us apparently.

John Heckman
central Pa
1973 FC converted to the 3208





>
> I can provide some insight on this question since my
> coach had a 3208 replaced at about 75k. It was
> replaced because it put a rod thru the block on the
> left side. I have no idea why it happened. Perhaps
> it was run out of oil or badly overheated. Bluebox
> seems to indicate that the owner was not negligent in
> general maintenance. It seems unlikely to me that
> catastrophic failure like that would not give any
> advance warning signs unless it was instigated by
> suddenly dropping a valve into the cylinder or
> something liek that but there was no comment in the
> paperwork on any other related problems.
>
> Kerry
> 82 Fc 35
> Denver
>
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