Caterpillar 3208 Range

The Caterpillar 3208 is an eight-cylinder, four-stroke diesel engine with a V8 configuration, originally designed as a fire pump engine. Upon its release — through a collaboration with Ford — the 3208 engines offered 225hp, and despite being popular, were reportedly known as a throw-away engine — something the creators claimed was part of the design criteria…

If catastrophic engine failure were to occur, and due to the powertrains not having cylinder liners, owners would re-bore the blocks and fit oversized pistons and rings instead of scrapping the engine completely.

Yacht and leisure boat owners frequently chose the 3208, while larger vessels would be powered with twin-turbocharged versions of the engines. The 3208, however, was known to be a gas guzzler, meaning it didn’t meet the criteria of the internal combustion exhaust emission laws that were coming into force. As a result, the 3208 (also designated the 3208T and 3208TA) was discontinued in 1999.

Throughout its production lifespan, the 3208 found extensive use across various applications, solidifying its position as one of the most widely produced diesel engines globally, boasting over one million units manufactured.