PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post - When did YOU learn the virtues of a diesel engine?

Shorebilly · #4 12-25-2006, 09:18 AM

Folks,

My first real job was at a Gulf "Service Station" in the early '60's. The boss' cousin, a mechanic there, was/had been a trucker.....he used to buy me beer, and tell me about Diesels, and Quadruplex transmissions....I heard him, but I thought, then, that Diesels were grimy, smelly, and useless for Hot Rodding!!!

Then I went to the University of the US Army, RVN, and I became impressed with those old style "deuce amd a half" and 5 ton trucks....the whistlers....and their multifuel capability.....

After surviving my military experience, I attended school for Marine Engineering. Part of my education was Motor/Diesel propulsion and auxiliaries. I graduated and received my USCG 3rd Engineer Steam and Motor License.....but I still thought that Diesels were an inferior means of Power.....leaky, nasty, smelly.......as compared to Steam Turbines and Boilers!!!

As I advanced in my career, and upgraded my License.....I wound up as Chief Engineer Steam and 3rd Engineer Motor....never sailed a day on a Motor Ship.....only used the Motor part of my License while working on the GTS Admiral Callihan......a Gas Turbine.....because the USCG classifies a Gas Turbine as an internal combustion engine!!

Then, I decided to equalize my License, so I went back to school....studied Diesel Propulsion in great depth.....wrenched on a Sulzer training engine....learned about the economic advantages of Diesel propulsion, as well as most of the considerations required in their operation. Got a ride on a Diesel, Sulzer, Container Ship as Observer C/E for 30 days....and then sat for the USCG testing to become C/E Motor......

Now, I had a nice job on an old Steam Ship as C/E.....my company only had 2 Motor Ships, on charter to the Military....so I didn't think much about Diesels, excepting my Emergency Diesel Generator.....until my company purchased some used late '60's era Motor ships from the Germans.....my boss sent me to ride with the Germans as observer, because I was the only C/E available with the License.....he sent several other Steam Chiefs back to school......and eventually I became C/E of a Motor Container Ship. My German counterpart, and I became friends.....and I rode in his Diesel Benz while visiting in Berlin......I was hooked from that point......even though those 700 series BMW's would pass us on the Autobahn!! I purchased the wife an '85 300TD new.....had it serviced at the dealership......she didn't like it.....I was then driving a Buick "Grand National" Turbo.......we divorced, and I got the wagon, she got the Buick......and I got to keep my '53 Ford street rod......

For the remainder of my career I was primarily a Motor Chief.....but was the only Chief in the company who would sail on either Steam or Motor ships.....because as an Engineer, in my opinion, the objective was to keep the "Lights Burnin' and the Screw Turnin'", regardless of how the fuel was burned.......

I retired a bit over 10 years ago as C/E of a RO/RO (Roll On/Roll Off) ship.......have worked in a couple of jobs since retirement one was a Fuel Injection Tech.......I also have delivered Yachts......and worked around some Offshore Racing Power Boats.....now I do my best to live a sustainable lifestyle, Solar, Bio-Diesel......non GMO farmer.......

I hope that y'all weren't bored with this essay....but you asked....

SB

I could go on typing for hours with ship "Sea Stories".....what's the biggest piece of engine that you have seen thrown through the crankcase wall???