We have just purchased an old steel ferry as a project boat. It has a 1970's 12v71 natural in it that has just been rebuilt with less than 100 hours on it. We have several other diesels in the fleet, but none this size, and no 2 strokes or Detroits. Has anyone got any special hints about what to look out for or how to maintain this old beast. Looks like the original engine did around 18000 hours before it's rebuild. We are looking at running around 1000 - 1500 hours per year at light to medium loads, so it would be nice to get a similar life span again if we can get the maintenance right.
Out of interest, the boat also has an old 1940's technology Lister diesel genset. It hadn't been run for years, but after getting it bled (tricky operation) and sorting out a new impeller and a little rubber Y connection that helps lubricate the valves (this is real old school lubrication design this one), it started as soon as I could get the massive flywheel turning. Now it starts first time, every time. I don't know how many hours this thing has done, but I would guess that it is a very large number. Really interesting to get into the guts of these old school engines. Need to find a crank handle for it now and try out the decompression levers etc. Only problem is that this 'baby' 2 cylinder shakes 57ft and 40 tonnes of boat around.
Out of interest, the boat also has an old 1940's technology Lister diesel genset. It hadn't been run for years, but after getting it bled (tricky operation) and sorting out a new impeller and a little rubber Y connection that helps lubricate the valves (this is real old school lubrication design this one), it started as soon as I could get the massive flywheel turning. Now it starts first time, every time. I don't know how many hours this thing has done, but I would guess that it is a very large number. Really interesting to get into the guts of these old school engines. Need to find a crank handle for it now and try out the decompression levers etc. Only problem is that this 'baby' 2 cylinder shakes 57ft and 40 tonnes of boat around.