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polling the experts to get some data. What is the top end RPM for a Cat 3208TA 260 HP configration?

I suggest you go on www.boatdiesel.com, under diesel forums you will find a 3208 section. Many, many 3208 owners that will help you out. Are you sure the engine is a 3208T"A"? At 260hp that would be a strange 3208. Most 3208's did not get an aftercooler until above 325hp.

Good Luck.

I run 3208NA WOT 2800 RPMs cruise @ 2400. I don't know for sure but I believe that the RPM's are the same at all ratings. I'll check my books tomorrow at home for sure.

2800 rpms wot at full load. You should have an engine plate that gives you the no-load rpms. Your engine is NOT a 3208TA at 260 HP. IT does have a turbo at 260HP but no aftercooler. By the way most guys prop their 3208's at 2850 rpms to prevent overload conditions.

you guys are right, thank you. It is not a TA. It does have the Turbo but no after cooler. 2800 RPM appears to be the correct number, with 2850 being the most popular target for propping.

I really appreciate the help.

Based on what I know about 3208's, Charlie is correct right down the line.

I've got the same exact engines that you do. Do you have the twin disk MG502-1 gears too?

Nothing wrong with propping for 2900 RPMS at WOT full load either...
My engines get 3150 WOT no load. If I'm low on fuel and the bottom is clean, under load at WOT I can sometimes get up to 2950.

I've learned through research that it's better to be a bit underpropped, and then run at 2500 RPM that way if you need to have the speed... than to be propped exactly for 2800 and then risk overload condition when more weight or dirty bottom conditions exist. That's how my boat is set up and I've run many hours at 2500, seemingly okay.

Just make sure you periodically check that you are getting the full WOT RPM's under load that you should. Running at WOT for 5 or 10 minutes at a time is fine and maybe even good for the engines. Little changes in that number are a wonderful indicator of load and bottom condition.

Oh yeah, don't completely believe your tach's until you check them with a handheld tach on the engine itself

Sean- I will check the trannies. The boat is a little under propped and will hit 3200 when light and no load. We cruise at 2400 and under load the boat will jst make 3000. We treat 2800 as WOT. It is nice to have that little extra ooomph when running thru an inlet.

jspiezio wrote:The boat is a little under propped and will hit 3200 when light and no load. We cruise at 2400 and under load the boat will jst make 3000. We treat 2800 as WOT. It is nice to have that little extra ooomph when running thru an inlet.

When I said "under load" I meant in gear - with the boat moving. Are we talking about the same thing?

If you hit 3200 RPM and you weren't sitting still at the dock, it seems like your tachs are off somewhat. That's pretty fast RPM for a run under load

I have 3208T, 280HP. WOT is 2800 RPM

Okay, let me give more details. These engines have been propped for 2850 since 1981. The engines were not reaching full RPM towards the end of last season and the beginning of this one. To make a long story short the fuel pumps needed replacement. The new pumps are fantastic, in fact they work so well that the engines now rev to 3200 RPM if the boat is running light.

I am under the impression that the new pumps have up-rated the engines.