V8 jake question

Probably because it was an industrial engine that someone figured out to stick in a truck. Dont need a jake on a genset! LOL.

 

older cats had the cat brakesaver as a factory option. used oil compression to retard.

jakes were options on detroits and cummins.

 

Not as well as a good jake. I have one on my 375hp 3406 and at full pressure on the retarder I can pin the throttle and it will rev up to governed speed. It struggles and works hard but it eventually gets there. They do make heat but engines with brakesavers have larger oil coolers.

 

It will cook the oil if you don't pay attention. It basicly works like a tourqe converter. But makes resistance. A retarder working with a jake is an awsome setup!

 

They heated the engine oil a bit but not any hotter than the oil gets when pulling a grade, the engines temperature was never an issue. They also were very effective compared to the Jacobs brakes of the time and they made no noise.

I am not aware of any downsides to a Cat retarder and I drove them for many years in severe duty applications.

But I would not take a 3408 as a gift.

 

What about the oil stain under the truck because they all seem to leak to some degree.

 

O-Rings are cheap and they last much longer than a Jake adjustment; they can all be changed at any oil change for less than 20 dollars

 

Right! Have you bought a o-ring for a cat recently? LOL