Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-21-2006, 12:50 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
rayne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 14
Year: 1985
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: IHC
Engine: 9.0
Rated Cap: 76
cat motors

does any body know any thing about a cat 3408 motor I've got one in my 75 ihc and was just wondering what quality it was compared to a detroit or cummins etc....

__________________
not all who wander are lost
rayne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2006, 01:11 PM   #2
Mini-Skoolie
 
rayne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 14
Year: 1985
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: IHC
Engine: 9.0
Rated Cap: 76
auto to manual

also my bus has an auto trans and I would like to convert it to manual...........any tips, been searching high and low for some kind of repair book to no avail
peace
__________________
not all who wander are lost
rayne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2006, 03:40 PM   #3
Skoolie
 
vonslatt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: MA
Posts: 187
Engine: CAT 3208 NA
Sure it's a 3408 and not a 3208 ? A quick google tells me the 3408 is a 4-500 hp over the road truck engine, if you've got one in a Skoolie that would really rock.

I've got a 3208 NA with 210 hp, it has a rep as a really solid motor, it's kind of dirty though which is why it is very rarely found in buses newer then 1989.
__________________
My 1989 Thomas Saf-T-Liner
vonslatt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2006, 03:46 PM   #4
Bus Nut
 
frank-id's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Twin Falls, Idaho
Posts: 809
Kitty engines

Most buses, because of the initial cost, use a small "Cat" engine know as a 3208. This is what is called a car engine in as much as, the HP is limited and the engine does not have sleeves. Most of these engines are limited to 210HP... This engine is a v-8. The bad boy Cats are usually in line 6 cylinders. There is a real nice Cat engine called a 3406, and this bad boy makes about 350HP....
I would very strongly advise not to change the auto trans for a manual. The auto trans is a great unit and will last a very long time. But if ya want to do the deed, I want an Allison and will do some trading. I have a few 5 speeds and a 10 speed. I di not have any clutch parts or linkages. Frank
frank-id is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2006, 06:01 PM   #5
Bus Geek
 
lapeer20m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: near flint michigan
Posts: 2,657
.....i'd use a hydraulic clutch pedal instead of actual linkage......

if i ever get a bus i don't plan to sell, i'd like a 10 or 13 speed trans. but i think the auto helps with resale value.
__________________
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (who will watch the watchmen?)
lapeer20m is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2006, 07:55 PM   #6
Mini-Skoolie
 
rayne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 14
Year: 1985
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: IHC
Engine: 9.0
Rated Cap: 76
right on

yeah ..right after I posted I went and looked at it ....3208
does anbody think I should change it out for more hp?
__________________
not all who wander are lost
rayne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2006, 08:53 PM   #7
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: New England
Posts: 1,009
Year: 1993
Coachwork: Ward Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/MT643
Rated Cap: 77
Keep it...not a bad engine, though kind of smokey. Just don't ether it! My uncle's hauler has a 3208 turbo, and it had seven broken rings thanks to someone getting ether-happy.

IP timing is hard to get right...it'll run funny if it's off. A real Cat guy can get it. If you need this done, go to a Cat shop & ask to talk to the oldest guy there.
__________________
Jarlaxle
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Optimism is a mental disorder.
Jarlaxle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2006, 11:21 AM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
rayne's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 14
Year: 1985
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: IHC
Engine: 9.0
Rated Cap: 76
what about the added weight? once done I'll have added about 8000- 10000 lbs
__________________
not all who wander are lost
rayne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-27-2006, 12:35 PM   #9
Bus Geek
 
lapeer20m's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: near flint michigan
Posts: 2,657
that's not enough weight to gain any real advantage. Fuel economy is not significantly affected by a couple thousand pounds. In both of my buses i get about the same mileage with the 400 gallon jacuzzi full or empty.
__________________
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes (who will watch the watchmen?)
lapeer20m is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
BB-under seat heater motors opus Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 5 11-18-2010 07:55 AM
need air wiper motors for 82 Crown bus paul iossi Classifieds | Buy, Sell, Swap 2 05-16-2009 09:12 AM
what motors came in this bus? 68fordb600 Mechanical and Drivetrains 5 12-02-2008 08:30 PM
wiper motors timbuk Conversion General Discussions 9 10-18-2008 08:39 PM
blower motors abdabbs Conversion General Discussions 5 03-26-2007 12:00 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:01 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.