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Caterpillar 3208TA Engine

The Caterpillar 3208TA (Turbocharged-Aftercooled) represents the highest performance evolution of the legacy 10.4L, 90-degree V8 diesel platform. Used extensively in high-output marine pleasure craft and specialized vocational applications, the 3208TA pushes the limits of the parent-bore (no cylinder liners) cast-iron block by integrating forced induction and air-to-liquid aftercooling. This configuration provides an outstanding power-to-weight ratio but subjects the engine to significantly higher thermal and mechanical stresses than its naturally aspirated counterparts.

Fuel Injection Pump: Mid-V mounted, mechanical direct-injection pump assembly housing 8 individual high-pressure pumping elements driven by a central camshaft. Governor: Mechanical flyweight governor integrated into the rear section of the fuel injection pump housing. Fuel Injection and Lines: Low-pressure, gear-driven fuel transfer pump delivers diesel fuel to the injection pump gallery. High-pressure external steel lines route fuel to compact, pencil-type fuel injectors for direct combustion chamber injection. Service Timing: Fuel pump camshaft synchronization requires removing the timing plug, turning the crankshaft clockwise, and locking the system utilizing a standard timing pin into the fuel injection pump camshaft groove at Top Dead Center.

Lubrication System: Full-pressure, wet-sump system fed by an internal, gear-type oil pump driven directly off the crankshaft gear train. Oil Filtration and Cooling: Utilizes a spin-on, full-flow filter assembly mated to an integrated high-capacity liquid-to-oil plate cooler core to combat elevated oil temperatures resulting from turbocharging. Operational Pressure: Normal operating oil pressure registers between 55 and 80 psi (379 to 551 kPa) at rated engine speed, with a mandatory minimum limit of 50 psi (344 kPa) at operating temperature.

Cooling System: Closed-loop, liquid-cooled configuration utilizing a high-flow centrifugal freshwater pump to circulate fluid through the deep-skirt engine block and 2-valve cylinder heads. Thermal Management: Regulated by dual thermostats housed in the upper front water outlet casting. Aftercooling and Marine Circuits: The "TA" specific configuration features a dedicated sea-water or raw-water circuit that passes through a marine heat exchanger and an intake air aftercooler core. The aftercooler cools compressed intake air before it enters the cylinders to optimize oxygen density. Maintenance requires periodic back-flushing and cleaning of the aftercooler core to prevent restriction and internal metal corrosion.

General Technical Data

Engine Specifications

Engine Model ............... Caterpillar 3208TA
Engine Type ............... 4-cycle 8-cylinder V-block direct injection liquid-cooled diesel
Number of Cylinders ............... 8
Cylinder Arrangement ............... V-type
Engine Bore, in (mm) ............... 4.50 (114.0)
Engine Stroke, in (mm) ............... 5.00 (127.0)
Displacement, cu.in (L) ............... 638 (10.4)
Rated Engine Power (Industrial), hp (kW) ............... 210 (157)
Rated Engine Power (Marine), hp (kW) ............... 435 (325)
Peak Torque (Industrial)............... 680 Nm (500 lb-ft) at 1400 rpm
Peak Torque (Marine)............... 1400 Nm (1030 lb-ft) at 2000 rpm
Rated Engine Speed, rpm ............... 2600-2800
Aspiration Type ............... Turbocharged and Aftercooled
Compression Ratio ............... 16.5:1
Firing Order ............... 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3
Crankshaft Type ............... Forged steel
Piston Type ............... Cast-aluminum alloy
Con Rod Type ............... Forged steel
Cylinder Block Type ............... Cast iron
Cylinder Head Type ............... Cast iron
Lubrication System ............... Full-pressure
Oil Pump Type ............... Gear-driven
Oil Filter Type ............... Full-flow, spin-on
Cooling System ............... Liquid-cooled
Water Pump Type ............... Gear-driven, centrifugal
Air Cleaner Type ............... Dry dual-stage
Starting System ............... Electric Starter
Electrical System ............... 12V or 24V
Alternator Rating, Amps ............... 65-105

Fuel System

Fuel System ............... Direct injection
Injection Pump Type ............... Distributor, rotary
Fuel System Control ............... Mechanical
Governor Type ............... Mechanical
Fuel Injector Type ............... Multi-hole
Fuel Type ............... Diesel Fuel

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length (Industrial), in (mm) ............... 37.0 in (941 mm)
Overall Length (Marine), in (mm) ............... 50.0 in (1271 mm)
Overall Width (Industrial), in (mm) ............... 36.7 in (932 mm)
Overall Width (Marine), in (mm) ............... 37.9 in (963 mm)
Overall Height (Industrial), in (mm) ............... 35.8 in (910 mm)
Overall Height (Marine), in (mm) ............... 40.1 in (1019 mm)
Dry Weight (Industrial), lbs (kg) ............... 1450 lb (658 kg)
Dry Weight (Marine), lbs (kg) ............... 1980 lbs (900 kg)

Maintenance Data

Service Information

Thermostat begins opening ............... 82C (180F)
Thermostat fully open ............... 91C (195F)
Cooling system pressure ............... 83-103 kPa (12-15 psi)
Operating oil pressure ............... 380-550 kPa (55-80 psi)
Idle oil pressure ............... 70-100 kPa (10-15 psi)
Intake Valve Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.015 (0.38)
Exhaust Valve Clearance, in (mm) ............... 0.025 (0.64)

Engine Oil and Coolant

Engine Oil Type .................. SAE 10W-30, 15W-40
API Service Classifications ......................... CD, CE, or CF-4
Engine Oil Capacity (Industrial), qts (L) .................. 20.0 (19.0)
Engine Oil Capacity (Marine), qts (L) .................. 15.7 (15.0)
Coolant Capacity (Industrial), qts (L) ............... 25.2 (24.0)
Coolant Capacity (Marine), qts (L) ............... 58.8 (56.0)

Service Intervals

Change oil and filter ............... Every 250 hours
Replace fuel filters ............... Every 250 hours
Inspect air filter ............... Every 50 hours
Change coolant ............... Every 2 years
Valve-lash adjustment ............... Every 1000 hours
Injector inspection ............... Every 1000-1500 hours
Compression test ............... Every 2000 hours
Drain water separator ............... As required
Belt inspection ............... As required

Service Specifications

Cylinder Bore Inside Diameter, in (mm) ................ 4.500-4.503 (114.30-114.38)
Crankshaft Journal Outside Diameter, in (mm) ................ 3.748-3.749 (95.20-95.22)
Crank Pin Outside Diameter, in (mm) ................ 2.749-2.750 (69.82-69.85)
Crankshaft End Play, in (mm) ................ 0.005-0.015 (0.13-0.38)
Intake Valve Stem Outside Diameter, in (mm) ................ 0.3705-0.3715 (9.411-9.436)
Exhaust Valve Stem Outside Diameter, in (mm) ................ 0.3690-0.3700 (9.373-9.398)
Intake Valve Guide Inside Diameter (Installed), in (mm) ................ 0.3735-0.3745 (9.487-9.512)
Exhaust Valve Guide Inside Diameter (Installed), in (mm) ................ 0.3735-0.3745 (9.487-9.512)
Intake Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ................ 0.0020-0.0040 (0.051-0.102)
Exhaust Valve Stem to Guide Clearance, in (mm) ................ 0.0035-0.0055 (0.089-0.140)
Intake Valve Spring Free Length, in (mm) ................ 2.37 (60.2)
Exhaust Valve Spring Free Length, in (mm) ................ 2.37 (60.2)
Intake Cam Height, in (mm) ................ 1.638-1.650 (41.61-41.91)
Exhaust Cam Height, in (mm) ................ 1.638-1.650 (41.61-41.91)
Piston Pin Outside Diameter, in (mm) ................ 1.5000-1.5003 (38.100-38.108)
Piston Pin to Piston Bore Clearance, in (mm) ................ 0.0003-0.0009 (0.008-0.023)
Top Ring Side Clearance, in (mm) ................ 0.003-0.005 (0.08-0.13)
Second Ring Side Clearance, in (mm) ................ 0.002-0.004 (0.05-0.10)
Oil Ring Side Clearance, in (mm) ................ 0.002-0.004 (0.05-0.10)
Top Ring End Gap, in (mm) ................ 0.015-0.025 (0.38-0.64)
Second Ring End Gap, in (mm) ................ 0.015-0.025 (0.38-0.64)
Oil Ring End Gap, in (mm) ................ 0.010-0.020 (0.25-0.51)

Tightening Torque Specs

Cylinder head bolts ............... 190 Nm (140 lb-ft)
Main bearing cap bolts ............... 160 Nm (118 lb-ft)
Connecting rod bolts ............... 125 Nm (92 lb-ft)
Flywheel housing-to-block bolts ............... 75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
Flywheel-to-crankshaft bolts ............... 160 Nm (118 lb-ft)
Oil pan bolts ............... 41 Nm (30 lb-ft)
Injector clamp bolt ............... 35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
Rocker Arm Shaft Support Bolts ............... 41 Nm (30 lb-ft)
Fuel injection pump mounting bolts ............... 24 Nm (18 lb-ft)

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• Caterpillar Engines Specs
  
• Cat 3204 Specs
  
• Cat 3208 Specs
  
• Cat 3208T Specs
  
• Cat 3304 Specs
  
• Cat 3304B Specs
  
• Cat 3306 DITA Specs
  

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