Any old timers saw this engine in a truck? CAT 3408

No,they used a hydraulic retarder,instead of a Jake. Good engines but heavy. When you added the retarder,they were really heavy.

 

Still my favorite engine,1693TA. You just had to live in this era when they were the king. Nothing sounds as good as these. Combination of the pre-combustion,and the overhead cam gear whine. Rattle like they're coming apart at an idle,but feed her the fuel,and the engine just gets smooth as glass. Remember walking through the truckstops back in the day,when there were dozens of these clacking away,just music.

 

Apparently vice grips on the fuel return line helped too.

 

On an ol Cummins they sure did. A CAT will get cod locked if you shut her return off

 

Had a 78 pete with a 3408pcta 15 speed 4.5 mpg if you drove it right, smoothest riding truck I ever had. Air trac suspension. Believe it or not had factory antilock brakes . 450 hp but didn't pull a hill any better than my new 91 model 3406b ata 425. Had to heat the glowplugs 20 seconds before it would start or 30 seconds if below 40 degrees. Never had any problems except buying fuel for it.

 

@Ozdriver Has a few videos posted of his KW cabover and 3408.

 

My 77 Eagle new,had the government required factory anti-lock brakes,too. What a joke. Might work well on cars but it was horrible on air brakes back then.Had to panic stop mine once,and the valves just opened up stuck,didn't stop,and all the air bled off. Luckily that mandate only lasted a short time,and you could take them off,they were so troublesome.

 

Must be a Cat. Set of sticks,with a retarder.