Late Model FC vs mid-80s PT

[Tom Warner]

Comparing same year and condition FC and PT models, the PTs will be
significantly more expensive then an FC. I may get some heat on this
but I believe the FC are much easier to work on then the PTs. The
dashboards are almost identical on similar 80's. The wiring is very
similar if you compare the wiring diagrams for the FC and
pushers. The FC engines are not only easier to work on but cheaper
to maintain. The engines for the FC are less then 1/2 those for the
PTs. A remanufactured Cat 3208T for a 1985 FC35 is $6452 plus a core
from Jasper engines/transmissions. You can plan on about 40 hours of
labor to pull the old engine and install the new one. This is for a
complete drop in engine which includes everything new including the
injection pump and injectors etc. The same year 6V92T for a 1985PT is
$14,047 plus your core. The 1985 8V92T for a PT is $16,654 plus
your core. Jasper is a premium remanufacturer of engines and
warrants them for I believe 75,000 miles.

The FC get better fuel mileage then the PTs, oil filters are cheaper
and they use less oil in the oil change.

From there you have to decide which one you want and forget all of
the above. It boils down to your own preferences.

Tom Warner
1982 FC35
Vernon Center,NY



is less then At 10:10 AM 11/21/2005, you wrote:
>Hi All...as I contmplate a first MH and really like the BBs...is a late
>model FC a better "first" BB relative to complexity and repair? I am
>comparing with a similar year PT as an alternative. Say...an '86-'88
>FC vs an '86-'87 PT 6V or 8V.
>
>My initial thought is that the PTs would be a better place to start.
>Budget is an issue but not the over riding factor...plus...I think the
>PTs are not much more these days than a nice FC of a similar year?
>
>Another very different question regards old wiring. Obviously there
>are miles of wiring in a BB. With a say 20 year old PT do you have
>frequent issues with broken wires or bad connections? Would it make
>sense to defensively clean all/most/many connections and coat with
>dieletic (sp) grease?
>
>Also, are the primary "failure points" pretty well know? If I were to
>do tires, belts, hoses, fluids, radiator, batteries...and than inspect
>and repair any known or anticipated issues on other systems...would I
>be in pretty good shape? BTW...when I say I...it likely means Ralph and
>a diesel shop.
>
>Just some continuing questions...Tom Rootness in Northern Minnesota