The Cat 3208 is a V-8 diesel 10.4 L (638 cu in) produced for many years in truck, industrial and marine arrangements. Caterpillar published many "arrangements" and ratings from lower-power truck and industrial ratings up to high-power marine propulsion ratings. The same basic bottom end is shared across arrangements, but induction (naturally aspirated vs turbocharged and aftercooled), governing, pistons, and fuel/air systems differ by arrangement and those differences strongly affect torque curve, emissions, and service items.
Typical Applications and Suitability
- Cat 3208 DINA 175 / 210 (truck/industrial) - over-the-road trucks (older models), industrial drives, stationary gensets (lower power), compact construction equipment. Best where simplicity and reliability are priorities.
- Cat 3208 DITA 210 (truck/industrial) - truck/apps where better midrange and load recovery are needed but overall hp rating is limited to 210; good for heavier truck duty cycles where turbo response improves drivability.
- Cat 3208 DITA 375 / 435 / DINA 210 (marine) - propulsion and high-power marine auxiliaries; not normally used in truck/industrial installations without significant modification (cooling, intake, exhaust, mounting).
Cat 3208 Industrial / Truck Engine (175 - 210 hp)
| Engine |
CAT 3208 DINA, 175 hp |
CAT 3208 DINA, 210 hp |
CAT 3208 DITA, 210 hp |
| Number of Cylinders |
8 |
8 |
8 |
| Displacement |
636 cu in (10.4 L) |
636 cu in (10.4 L) |
636 cu in (10.4 L) |
| Bore |
4.5 in (114 mm) |
4.5 in (114 mm) |
4.5 in (114 mm) |
| Stroke |
5.0 in (127 mm) |
5.0 in (127 mm) |
5.0 in (127 mm) |
| Low Idle |
650 rpm |
650 rpm |
650 rpm |
| Power Rating (intermittent) |
175 hp (130 kW) @ 2800 rpm |
210 hp (157 kW) @ 2800 rpm |
210 hp (157 kW) @ 2800 rpm |
| Power Rating (continuous) |
125 hp (93 kW) @ 2400 rpm |
150 hp (112 kW) @ 2400 rpm |
150 hp (112 kW) @ 2400 rpm |
| Peak Torque |
400 lb ft (540 Nm) @ 1400 rpm |
485 lb ft (655 Nm) @ 1400 rpm |
500 lb ft (678 Nm) @ 1400 rpm |
| Torque Rise |
22% |
23% |
27% |
| Altitude Capability (intermittent) |
7500 ft (2286 m) |
7500 ft (2286 m) |
7500 ft (2286 m) |
| Altitude Capability (continuous) |
10000 ft (3048 m) |
10000 ft (3048 m) |
10000 ft (3048 m) |
| Rotation (from flywheel end) |
CCW |
CCW |
CCW |
| Starter |
12 V |
12 V |
12 V |
| Alternator |
12 V, 60 amps (24 V, 40 amps) |
12 V, 60 amps (24 V, 40 amps) |
12 V, 60 amps (24 V, 40 amps) |
| Crankshaft Counterweights |
6 |
9 |
9 |
| Compression Ratio |
16.5:1 |
16.5:1 |
16.5:1 |
| Fuel System |
Direct Injection |
Direct Injection |
Direct Injection |
| Lubrication System |
Six-lobe oil pump, Twin full-flow spin-on filters |
Six-lobe oil pump, Twin full-flow spin-on filters |
Six-lobe oil pump, Twin full-flow spin-on filters |
| Cooling System |
Full-length water jackets, Water pump |
Full-length water jackets, Water pump |
Full-length water jackets, Water pump |
| Aspiration |
Naturally Aspirated |
Naturally Aspirated |
Turbocharged-Aftercooled |
Performance is based on SAE J1349 standard conditions of 29.61 in Hg (100 kPa) and 77°F (25 °C).
Cat 3208 Marine Engine, 210-435 hp
| Engine |
CAT 3208 DINA, 210 hp Marine |
CAT 3208 DITA, 375 hp Marine |
CAT 3208 DITA, 435 hp Marine |
| Number of Cylinders |
8 |
8 |
8 |
| Displacement |
636 cu in (10.4 L) |
636 cu in (10.4 L) |
636 cu in (10.4 L) |
| Bore |
4.5 in (114 mm) |
4.5 in (114 mm) |
4.5 in (114 mm) |
| Stroke |
5.0 in (127 mm) |
5.0 in (127 mm) |
5.0 in (127 mm) |
| Max Power (E Rating*) |
210 hp (157 kW) @ 2800 rpm |
375 hp (280 kW) @ 2800 rpm |
435 hp (325 kW) @ 2800 rpm |
| Peak Torque |
489 lb ft (663 Nm) @ 1500 rpm |
746 lb ft (1015 Nm) @ 2400 rpm |
1030 lb ft (1397 Nm) @ 2000 rpm |
| Compression Ratio |
16.5:1 |
16.5:1 |
15.5:1 |
| Flywheel and Flywheel Housing |
SAE No. 2, SAE No. 3 |
SAE No. 2, SAE No. 3 |
SAE No. 2, SAE No. 3 |
| Lubricating System |
Positive crankcase ventilation valve, oil filter, filler, oil level gauge |
Crankcase breather, oil filter, filler, oil level gauge |
Crankcase breather, oil filter, filler, oil level gauge |
| Fuel System |
Direct Injection |
Direct Injection |
Direct Injection |
| Cooling System |
Jacket water pump |
Auxiliary sea water pump, coolant recovery tank |
Auxiliary sea water pump, coolant recovery tank |
| Rotation (from flywheel end) |
CCW |
CCW |
CCW |
| Starter |
12 V |
12 V |
12 V |
| Alternator |
51 amps, 12 V, belt driven |
51 amps, 12 V, belt driven |
51 amps, 12 V, belt driven |
| Air Cleaner |
Dry type, single stage air filter |
Cat AirSep Kit |
Cat AirSep Kit |
| Aspiration |
Naturally Aspirated |
Turbocharged-Aftercooled (DITA) |
Turbocharged-Aftercooled (DITA) |
| Exhaust system |
Exhaust manifold, water cooled, dual 2.5 in (64 mm) round flanged threaded outlets |
Exhaust manifold and turbocharger, water cooled, 6 in (152 mm) round flanged outlet |
Exhaust manifold and turbocharger, water cooled, 6 in (152 mm) round flanged outlet |
| Emission Standards |
IMO compliant |
IMO compliant |
IMO compliant |
E Rating - Planing hull vessels such as pleasure craft, harbor patrol, harbor master, and some fishing and pilot boats
Cat 3208 Industrial / Truck Engine Dimensions
| Engine |
3208 DINA, 175 hp |
3208 DINA, 210 hp |
3208 DITA, 210 hp |
| Dry Weight |
1225 - 1340 lb (555 - 608 kg) |
1225 - 1340 lb (555 - 608 kg) |
1450 lb (658 kg) |
| Length |
36.1 - 37.5 in (916 - 953 mm) |
36.1 - 37.5 in (916 - 953 mm) |
37.0 in (941 mm) |
| Width |
31.7 - 32.9 in (804 - 835 mm) |
31.7 - 35.6 in (804 - 904 mm) |
36.7 in (932 mm) |
| Height |
33.8 in (858 mm) |
33.8 in (858 mm) |
35.8 in (910 mm) |
Cat 3208 Marine Engine Dimensions
| Engine |
3208 DINA, 210 hp (Marine) |
3208 DITA, 375 hp (Marine) |
3208 DITA, 435 hp (Marine) |
| Dry Weight |
1592 lb (722 kg) |
1702 lb (772 kg) |
1982 lb (899 kg) |
| Length |
42.7 in (1086 mm) |
50.0 in (1271 mm) |
50.0 in (1271 mm) |
| Width |
36.1 in (917 mm) |
37.9 in (963 mm) |
37.9 in (963 mm) |
| Height |
36.2 in (921 mm) |
40.1 in (1019 mm) |
40.1 in (1019 mm) |
Service Refill Capacities
| Industrial / Truck Engines |
3208 DINA, 175 hp |
3208 DINA, 210 hp |
3208 DITA, 210 hp |
| Engine Oil Capacity (w/o filter) |
3 gal (11.4 L) |
3 gal (11.4 L)
4.5 gal (17 L) |
5 gal (18.9 L) |
| Cooling System Capacity (engine only) |
6.3 gal (23.8 L) |
6.3 gal (23.8 L) |
6.3 gal (23.8 L) |
| Marine Engines |
3208 DINA, 210 hp |
3208 DITA, 375 hp |
3208 DITA, 435 hp |
| Engine Oil Capacity (w/o filter) |
3.2 gal (12 L) |
4 gal (15 L) |
4 gal (15 L) |
| Cooling System Capacity (engine only) |
12.5 gal (47.3 L) |
14.8 gal (56 L) |
14.8 gal (56 L) |
Standard Equipment
| Type |
Industrial / Truck Engine |
3208 Marine Engine |
| Air Intake |
Air cleaner, precleaner, service indicator |
Dry type, single stage air cleaner; AirSep for Cat 3208 435 & 375 hp |
| Alternator |
12 V, 60 amps or 24 V, 40 amps |
Belt driven, 51 Amp, 12 Volt |
| Cooling |
Radiator, fan, lubricating oil, jacket water pump |
Thermostats, jacket water pump, auxiliary sea water pump, expansion tank, coolant recovery tank (DITA), marine gear oil cooler (DITA: sea water cooled, DINA: jacket water cooled), motor mounted heat exchanger |
| Exhaust System |
Dry manifold, mufflers, optional manifolds, adapters and fittings |
Exhaust manifold and turbocharger, water cooled, 152 mm (6 in) round flanged outlet (DITA); exhaust manifold, water cooled, dual 64 mm (2.5 in) round flanged threaded outlets (DINA) |
| Flywheel |
Flywheel housing SAE No. 2, SAE No. 3 |
Flywheel housing SAE No. 2, SAE No. 3 |
| Fuel |
Primary and transfer pumps, filter, water separator |
Fuel filter, priming pump |
| Governor |
Mechanical |
Mechanical |
| Instruments |
Service meter, motor mounted instrument panel |
Tachometer drive, wiring harness |
| Lubricating |
Oil filter, oil pump, positive crankcase ventilation valve |
Oil filter, filler, oil level gauge, crankcase breather (DITA), positive crankcase ventilation valve (DINA) |
| Starting |
12 V (24 V) electric |
12 V electric |
Key Technical Differences
- DINA vs DITA
- DINA = Direct Injection, Naturally Aspirated (or without turbo/aftercool in that label sense) - simpler, fewer components, robust for truck/industrial where complexity and turbo maintenance are a drawback.
- DITA = Direct Injection, Turbocharged, Aftercooled - adds turbocharging and aftercooler. For the same published HP the DITA will deliver a stronger, broader mid-range torque and better transient response and recovery under load.
- Same published HP ≠ identical performance envelope - Example: DINA 210 hp vs DITA 210 hp may both list ~394 lb·ft peak torque, but the DITA will generally produce more usable torque at lower rpm and sustain torque better during heavy transient loads because of turbocharger behavior and the aftercooling.
- Compression ratio differences - Most common 175/210 hp arrangements use 16.5:1. The very high marine DITA ratings (e.g., 435 hp) were fitted with lower compression pistons (15.5:1) to enable higher boost and power safely.
- Torque rise - For truck 210 hp ratings Cat commonly shows ~23% torque rise. That metric can be listed the same for DINA and DITA when the rated horsepower is the same (i.e., manufacturer limits the power), but the shape of the torque curve (how torque is delivered across RPM) differs (27% for Cat 3208 DITA 210 hp).
Serviceability and Maintenance Notes
- DINA (naturally aspirated) variants: simpler injection system and fewer systems to fail - easier to service in remote/industrial truck settings; fewer turbo/aftercooler related issues. Fuel quality still important.
- DITA variants: require attention to turbocharger health, intake filtration, and aftercooler cleanliness. Intercooler/aftercooler leaks or clogged coolers degrade power quickly.
- Marine DITA high-power: typically have beefed-up cooling, different oil and coolant capacities, and in many cases different piston and head parts - they must be serviced with correct marine arrangement parts.
- Parts interchange caution: Cat used different pistons/compression ratios and other parts for different arrangements. Do not swap pistons or heads between arrangements without confirming part numbers.
Known Issues / Historical Notes
- Cat 3208s are generally robust, but common items to watch: injector nozzle wear (affects economy and smoke), oil dilution from blow-by in high-duty cycles, turbocharger lubrication/shaft issues (DITA), and cooling system blockages (marine/industrial suits differ).
- High marine ratings required different pistons and cooling; early attempts to use high marine ratings in non-marine installations without proper cooling lead to failures.
If you need simplicity and field serviceability - prefer the DINA (175 or 210) if the application and horsepower are acceptable. If you need better midrange torque, load recovery, and throttle response at the same hp rating - Cat 3208 DITA 210 is superior in drivability. For marine propulsion or very high continuous-power needs, only use the marine DITA arrangements (375 / 435 hp) because they have the necessary cooling, crankcase breathers, pistons and accessory packaging.
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