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CaptTom · 01-11-2009, 06:38 PM

Okay Ken,
Pretty boat for an '85. Like the interior a lot. But how the heck do you work on the gnerator??!!?? That photo looks like it was just dropped in a box.
I used to run an old Chris Craft that had Cat 3208's. Great workhorse engines, and they want to run. A bit smokey on startup. PM is fairly easy on those blocks, but see how deep the oil pan is in the bilge. If mounted too low and salt water splashes on the pan, they can get corrosion and pinhole leaks. Also, there is one water hose on the engine that is buried under the alternator or water pump (can't remember which) but should be replaced whenever you can. Many times this hose is unnoticed and doesn't get the same PM as the others. But if it leaks, you'll overheat.
BTW, Cat does not make the 3208 anymore, so you may want to ask around about the availabilty of parts.
Any survey?

01-11-2009, 06:38 PM	#5
CaptTom Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Palm Beach to Ft Lauderdale Posts: 1,105	Okay Ken, Pretty boat for an '85. Like the interior a lot. But how the heck do you work on the gnerator??!!?? That photo looks like it was just dropped in a box. I used to run an old Chris Craft that had Cat 3208's. Great workhorse engines, and they want to run. A bit smokey on startup. PM is fairly easy on those blocks, but see how deep the oil pan is in the bilge. If mounted too low and salt water splashes on the pan, they can get corrosion and pinhole leaks. Also, there is one water hose on the engine that is buried under the alternator or water pump (can't remember which) but should be replaced whenever you can. Many times this hose is unnoticed and doesn't get the same PM as the others. But if it leaks, you'll overheat. BTW, Cat does not make the 3208 anymore, so you may want to ask around about the availabilty of parts. Any survey?