Innehållsförteckning för May 2023 från Diesel World

What are you willing to do to chase your dream? Would you sell off all your toys to pursue it? Would you spend every waking hour thinking about it or working on it? Would you be willing to sleep on the shop floor until it’s complete? Warwick Andrews did that and more to see his vision of the ultimate rat-rod—a ’47 Fargo FL1 wrapped in welded chains—come to life. After locking himself in his shop for months on end leading up to the 2019 SEMA Show, Chain Smoker 1.0 turned plenty of heads when it debuted in Vegas. But never satisfied, Warwick put the truck under the knife again soon after, effectively transforming it into the work of art it is today. “It’s an ‘art rod,’ not a rat-rod,” he…

Picture the way diesel performance was 10 years ago. At the time, tuned 6.4L Power Strokes—capable of dynoing 570 to 590 hp and collecting 12-second timeslips at the drag strip—ruled the roost as far as average, daily-driven, do-everything late-model trucks were concerned. Of course, the Duramax and common-rail Cummins offerings weren’t far behind, with 500hp tune-only trucks rampant throughout the population. For any 7.3L Power Stroke enthusiast, where 500 hp was a big deal (and took some extensive work to achieve), it was plain to see they were going to be left behind. In an effort to remain relevant in the world of 500 and 600hp daily drivers, yours truly embarked on a series of upgrades to help bring his ’97 F-350 up to speed. Because a Cummins swap wasn’t…

R.H. Sheppard was a well-established diesel engine manufacturer when the single cylinder 2 KW Model 14 generator featured here was built. At that time, Sheppard built a variety of engines in one, two, three, four and six-cylinder arrangements and offered them for a large variety of applications, including generators. While we have not established its exact year of manufacture, from the change from an EMC to a Leland generator head, we know it’s from early to mid 1950s. BACK IN TIME The ancestor to the Model 14 engine was the Model 7, which debuted in 1941. It followed a year after their first diesel on the market, the three-cylinder Model 6. The Model 7 was a single cylinder, water-cooled engine with a 4 x 5-inch bore and stroke. It was…

From the 5.9L and 6.7L in the Cummins camp to every RPO code Duramax ever produced, even good engines have their share of problems. Ford’s 6.7L Power Stroke is no different—especially when looking at the ’11-’14 version. The first generation of Ford’s in-house diesel V-8 introduced the high-tech Garrett GT32 SST (single sequential turbo) variable geometry turbo and the Bosch CP4.2 high-pressure fuel pump. In relatively short order, the aftermarket discovered the shortcomings of the dual compressor VGT (namely its propensity to overspeed and lack of airflow at higher rpm), and also began to see how destructive a failed CP4.2 could be. Luckily the same aftermarket that found the limits of the GT32 and had to repair the fuel systems wrecked by CP4.2 failure have created sound solutions and work-arounds…

In the ‘30s, Caterpillar entered the diesel electric generator market. Cat assembled the units in house, sourcing the generator heads from outside the company. Caterpillar was one of the first prime movers of diesel power for any possible venue and diesel generators were just another step in that direction. Besides powering their lines of crawlers and construction equipment, they also sold diesel power units, marine engines and bare engines for installation into all sorts of equipment. In 1935, Cat developed a big V8 diesel, the D17000. Displacing 1662 cubic engines and commonly seen rated at 200 maximum horsepower at 1000 rpm (150 continuous), it was developed with diesel switch engine locomotive work in mind. Like other Cat diesels, it also excelled in marine and stationary work, including generators. Built around…

The standard 8-lug Super Dutys were already the biggest private passenger vehicles on Earth. But then the Blue Oval went ahead and upped that ante with available 10-lug versions—trucks so capable that they can tow 35,000 pounds (or more!) while staying in civilian dress, distinguishable from their 3/4-ton and 1-ton brethren by wheels, flares, and a few badges. When it came time for Diesel Power Products to build another tow rig, they started out with something that could easily pull two 1-ton trucks on a gooseneck trailer while being nowhere near its towing and braking capacities: the 2021 F-450. But leaving it alone wasn’t an option. Extreme roads, extreme loads, and extraordinary requirements necessitated a major modification job that Diesel Power Products was well equipped to handle. Built entirely inhouse,…

Electrification, in one form or another (and for better or worse), is on its way to the automotive world. But instead of ditching internal combustion altogether and diving head first into battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology Mazda is taking a more pragmatic approach. Its new e-Skyactiv D 3.3L inline-six diesel engine will be paired with a 48-volt hybrid system to optimize fuel economy and performance while also lowering tailpipe emissions. We’ve long stated that diesel hybrids are the most logical step toward future low emission vehicle goals. With proven hybrid technology here already, Mazda’s e-Skyactiv D engine is poised to show the rest of the world just how viable a diesel hybrid will be. Available in the all-new Mazda CX-60 crossover, unfortunately the e-Skyactiv D option will only be available…

Looking back into history, all tractor manufacturers had big hoopla introductions. J.I. Case was no exception and one of their biggest was, “Intro 70,” the introduction of the 70 Series tractors for … drumroll please… 1970. Intro 70 happened in August of 1969 at the former Bong Air Force Base (named for legendary WWII/Korea fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient Richard Bong) north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Among the tractors introduced were the 1070 series, an evolution and update of the somewhat problematic 1030. The 70 Series ushered in a great deal of hoopla for Case, among them final drive improvements and slick new cabs. The cab was isolated on rubbers, had a cab air filtration system and a built-in ROPS frame. The final drive selection included an improved version…