Newbie wants an FC but worried about the Cat 3208 engine

[dru penland]

Just my two cents and it's hearsay, but one of the parts guys at my NAPA
Autoparts store used to drive a cabover with a 3208. He told me it had a million
one hundred thousand on it when he quit driving it. That was with 12,000 mile
oil changes. True or not that's a bit impressive if not imaginary. I think he
likes the 3208 and Cat a whole lot. lol

Jon wrote: --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
"Jon" wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" wrote:
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Strehle"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Hey Dan, what part of Ohio? (My home state) I'm not a
> > professional
> > > diesel technician but... I'm sure the Cat 3208 has been used
in
> > > trucking and heavy equipment applications for years. The
> > difference
> > > is that most heavy trucks and equipment 3208's have been
> maintained
> > > professionally. No offense guys. So my advice is to also look
> at
> > > other 3208 applications as well.
> > >
> > > Keith
> > > 84FC35 (Cat 3208)
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ohiofancydancer"
> > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I've been looking at early FC's on eBay, etc. What I hope to
> find
> > > is
> > > > a 'Bird with the Cat 3208NA and air suspension, which means
> 1981,
> > > late
> > > > 1980 or early 1982. I am concerned about the frequency of
> > > these 'Birds
> > > > having a new engine installed at 75K to 150K miles. Some of
the
> > > threads
> > > > that I've read say that the 3208 "should" be good for 300K or
> > more
> > > > before an overhaul or replacement.
> > > >
> > > > Might most, or all, of these low mileage replacements be due
to
> > > poor
> > > > maintenance? I'd really appreciate the advice of someone who
> has
> > > had
> > > > some experience!
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Dan Snyder - the Fancy Dancer
> >
> > Well you said one thing about maintenance professionally done but
I
> > beg to differ with you. I would think anyone with a 100,000
dollar
> > coach would for sure know what he had under the hood (Dog House)
or
> > should. I myself kind of take pride in knowing what make my old
> > motor home tick and want to keep it up that way. Preventative
> > Maintenance is the key to keeping one of these 3208 up running
and
> > running well. If you really get right down to it the old diesel
> > engine is a much simpler engine than a gas one. All bluebirds
did
> > come with a factory manual and if the previous owners did not pay
> > attention to there procedures than they kind of deserve to have
> > machine balk at times and even blow up!
> > Fancy Dancer if you keep on looking on this board than you will
> kind
> > of figure out who is here for the ride and who is here for the
> > maintenance of there coaches. I kind of figure it out that if
you
> > treat your old Wanderlodge with a little respect (No speeding or
> > running at top governor speeds than you will have a machine that
> > should last 300,000 miles). Change oil, check belts, check hoses
> and
> > check your master card for balance because of a unknown
breakdowns.
> > Good luck on your search and if you look long enough you'll find
a
> > jewel amongst the old stones. JipJon
> >
> > Rebel Bird
> > At the beach:http://tinyurl.com/376ba4
http://tinyurl.com/2g7gwx

>






Dru and Debora
Corpus Christi, TX
1983 FC 35 RB
Steady Gittin' It!

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Don Bradner]

I like this quote from http://www.frybrid.com/forum/showthread.php?t=399
--------------
let me first dispel some myths about diesels. These engines developed their
reputation for reliability and very long engine life beginning over a hundred
years ago, a reputation that, for the most part, no longer holds. That
reputation was based up very unsophisticated, slow turning, low horsepower
engines. Except for sailboat auxiliaries, you won’t find many such engines in
existence today. Today we have a "need for speed," and everyone wants to go
fast. Going fast is what negates the virtues of those engines from a by-gone
era.

The modern diesel is very sophisticated, complex, lighter weight and very
powerful. Hence, their life span is often no more than that of a gas engine,
often times even less. To say that they are delicate is not an overstatement.
There is a very simple rule today that the more power you try to squeeze out of
a given engine block, the less service life it will give. People can argue all
they want to, but that is a fact.
---------------
Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Posting today by satellite from Sedona, AZ

[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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[chunkymar]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ohiofancydancer"
wrote:
>
> I've been looking at early FC's on eBay, etc. What I hope to find
is
> a 'Bird with the Cat 3208NA and air suspension, which means 1981,
late
> 1980 or early 1982. I am concerned about the frequency of
these 'Birds
> having a new engine installed at 75K to 150K miles. Some of the
threads
> that I've read say that the 3208 "should" be good for 300K or more
> before an overhaul or replacement.
>
> Might most, or all, of these low mileage replacements be due to
poor
> maintenance? I'd really appreciate the advice of someone who has
had
> some experience!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan Snyder - the Fancy Dancer
>I have a 82 fc 35 with 100,000 miles on it. It is true they are
sloooow going up grades, but they do get you there. I have had mine
for three years and the person before me had it 9 years, and one
other owner than that. Records show it was well maintained. After
getting used to leaving a day early for trips, I love driving it.
It cruises at 65 just great, and I can't imagine going much faster
in one of these heavy beast anyway. I have had no major problems,
(knock on wood). Its a very reasonable way to get into a blue
bird. If I ever sell mine it would be to get into a 40 footer,
which is what my wife wants. Good Luck

Jim Marsh
fc 35 3208NA

[ohiofancydancer]

Many thanks for all your kind and thoughtful responses! I'm now
confused at a much higher level than before! (Just kidding).

I think that my wife and I would be able to live with a 3208NA - now
we'll just have to see what comes along.

We won't keep it a secret when we find one. Thanks again...

Dan Snyder - the Fancy Dancer

[Leroy Eckert]

Hey Dan, I tried to email you the math problem twice and it bounced both times.
Any ideas?
Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA

ohiofancydancer wrote:
Many thanks for all your kind and thoughtful responses! I'm now
confused at a much higher level than before! (Just kidding).

I think that my wife and I would be able to live with a 3208NA - now
we'll just have to see what comes along.

We won't keep it a secret when we find one. Thanks again...

Dan Snyder - the Fancy Dancer





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