I need help with my engine but first I need to know what it is.
The truck is a 1988 Ford L-8000 with an 8 cylinder front sump Caterpillar engine that redlines at about 2600 RPM.
There is a sticker on the valve cover that has the number 0ZZ43319

I appreciate any help. Thank you

 

The Cat website should be able to help you figure it out some way.

 

Probably a 3208

 

When I got the truck I could reach in and bump the key to start it.
It ran well.

Now I have to work the throttle just right to start it,
it runs rough and makes an enormous cloud of white smoke.
Any ideas what is wrong?

 

Check for fuel line leaks,sounds like it may be sucking air
also check for intank fuel pump

 

thank you.
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Sounds like an old 3208. As for the white smoke, does it smell really rich and burn your eyes? Your injectors may be dirty and not atomizing the fuel. The effect will be worse when the engine is cold.

Also, it could be caused by the ultra-low sulfur fuel we now have. The process used to remove the sulfur content also removes the lubricating properties from the fuel. This can cause premature wear in the injection pump and nozzles. I would run some really good fuel conditioner through it. I use Stanadyne fuel treatment in mine.

I am a heavy equipment mechanic, and one of my customers called me one day because he couldn't keep his diesel forklift running. When I got there, I checked the obvious, fuel filters, air filters, water in the fuel, etc. Everything looked OK. I asked him if he had been running fuel conditioner, and he said no. I gave it a heavy dose of Stanadyne and got it started. After about 20-30 minutes working the throttle, it smoothed out and ran fine.

What I mean by working the throttle is get it running, then throttle it up and let it idle down. Keep repeating this process for a little while. That will give the pumping mechanisms an other moving parts time to get lubricated.

 

Something else. If it is hard to start, it sounds like it may also be related to the low sulfur fuel. As you are cranking the engine the governor weights in the injection pump are supposed to open the fuel wide open for starting.

When the pumping mechanisms are suffering from a lack of lubrication, the weights may not be able to overcome the sticking, making it hard to start. Here again, hopefully the fuel treatment will help free things up after it has run awhile.