Engine options for the 1990 Thomas Saf-T-Liner

[nikitis]

100% agree with all of the above. I'll add, most of the good 2 Stroke Detroit meachanics have long retired by now, and many are even pushing up daisys. I do happen to know a great 2 stroke mechanic and that's all he talks about is the 2 strokes, and how people don't know how to set the racks and all kinds of issues on 2 strokes that newer diesel mechanics aren't even aware of, and most won't touch a 2 stroke. He happens to be 70 years old now. The EPA don't like the 2 strokes either, not in the least.

The only thing I think a 2 stroke goes into these days, would be an older restoration truck and that would be just for the nostalgia factor, not because it's the best option. You have to admit, then 2 strokes sound awesome going through the gears or humming down the interstate.

To me it sounds weak for a Semi. Not the sound I would expect from such a large vehicle. I love the sound of the mid 90's T444E. My bus is currently Road speed limited to 45mph, but driving next to Heavy Duty Semi's, my engine sounded larger, louder, and meaner than their EPA certified Heavy duty engines. It really made me sad for the trucking industry as a whole to see how nerfed they are sound wise. A Truck should sound loud and mean, not quiet and weak.

 

[ewo1]

A Truck should sound loud and mean, not quiet and weak.

Whaat you say?

Speak up, can't hear you!

That damn bus that just passed us is loud as shite!



LOL....

 

[nikitis]

Whaat you say?

Speak up, can't hear you!

That damn bus that just passed us is loud as shite!



LOL....

...... And as I pass them by, I'll be looking at them with a shite eating grin



For real though, my T444E is VERY loud, if the dealership does add the performance mods for me, I can't WAIT to hear it after that.

 

[IDoMy0wnRacing]

Looks to me like that engine is pretty far back which may make it a problem like I had to shoe horn in a straight 6. Ask someone on here to take some measurments of their RE bus of comparable year with a straight 6 and compare notes. If the factory put that axle as far back as they could then a straight 6 won't fit. Is yours a turbo engine or not? I know someone who had one in a dump truck and just put head gaskets and bearing in it every 2 years because of problems just like yours. Everyone told me they are undepowered. I like your bus it looks nice so the effort is worth it in the long run rather than getting another problem bus from someone else.
There are all kinds of medium duty trucks on govdeals that are rust buckets and have low mileage and old enough to be mechanical injection, I see them all the time, lots of DT466 and 8.3 Cummins and yes occasionally a 3208 that you could just freshen up and install, maybe even with a better transmission.

After taking a tape measure to it, I only have 1-3/8 of an inch from the harmonic balancer and the rear bumper.

I may have to stay with the 3208.
It is a Turbo, Cat 3208T 225HP.

I live in the mountains, and that Cat is under powered, imo.

I am going to change the oil and filters, drive it for a few hundred miles than submit a new oil sample. I will decide then if I want to rebuild it or not.

I need to do a little more research to see if I can replace the head gaskets without pulling the engine.

I got spoiled by my Cummis 855.
I complete in-frame rebuild kit is <$1600.00.
And that is for the Pistons, Sleeves, rings, gaskets, bearings, everything needed to perform the overhaul.

Just an oil cooler for the Cat 3208 is $1500.00-ish (unless I can find the correct core, then it is only $900.00-ish).

 

[IDoMy0wnRacing]

If you increase engine torque you need to replace the transmission. The MT 643 is only good for about 600 lb of torque. Also the 3208 is quite a high revving engine and if you swap it with something else you may end up having to do rear end gears as well. The throwaway engine comments are usually from people who don't know anything about cat 3208 engines but they passed on some misinformation they read on the internet somewhere. An engine swap is many months and multiples of $10,000 even if you don't do the transmission. Your best bet is to fix the one you have and if you feel brave then turn the pump up a little bit for some more fuel. I speak from the experience of having had a 3208 and replaced it with something else. I'm happy I did it but I never recommend anyone else do what I did.

True about high revving and the shift points for the MT643. I would definitely have to change the gears if I went with another engine choice.

Throw away only because of it not being a sleeved engine. More expensive and more work when you can't swap out the sleeves and pistons.

Thank you.

 

[IDoMy0wnRacing]

Nice to know.

 

[Iceni John]

I may have to stay with the 3208.
It is a Turbo, Cat 3208T 225HP.

I live in the mountains, and that Cat is under powered, imo.

Why such low power for a turbo? That's little more than the power of a non-turbo 3208. If you could make it 250 or even 300 HP, would you rebuild it?

John

 

[s2mikon]

If I remember correctly the turbo was mainly for cleaner emissions not power. I had a friend that had a Foretravel pusher that was 225 hp turbo and he added propane fumigation to it. It was real nice when the propane came on. It would move the torque curve up on the tach about 400 rpms. It had to be tuned and fooled with first but it was pretty nice after that.

 

[#1FordFan]

If there is oil in the coolant, but not coolant in the oil I’d inspect / replace the gaskets on the oil cooler. It might take care of your issue.

 

[IDoMy0wnRacing]

If there is oil in the coolant, but not coolant in the oil I’d inspect / replace the gaskets on the oil cooler. It might take care of your issue.

I've got the coolant in oil, not oil in coolant issue.

I can't tell by looking at the oil that there is coolant in it. There isn't enough coolant in the oil for it to start turning milky yet. Lab results only.

Thank you, that is good to know.

 

[IDoMy0wnRacing]

Why such low power for a turbo? That's little more than the power of a non-turbo 3208. If you could make it 250 or even 300 HP, would you rebuild it?

John

I don't get it either. 225HP is all that it is rated at.

If I rebuild or replace, I would definitely upgrade to something closer to 300HP. I don't want to overpower the transmission.