Looks like I may get my wish after all. I really like Subarus, I have had five of them over the years. I really like diesels, I have had three of them thus far. I really hope they put this motor in a Legacy.
See below swiped from Subaru Global Media







And some comments from Mr. Ikeda:

"As announced at the Geneva Motor Show last year, we are enhancing our Subaru boxer engine lineup, and I’m pleased to announce that the development of the world’s first horizontally opposed diesel engine, the Subaru Boxer Turbo Diesel is nearly complete.

The superb rotational balance of the horizontally-opposed engine allows low vibration because the pistons counteract each other to cancel it out. Moreover, with its firmly supported crankshaft, the crankcase construction is strong enough to resist huge combustion pressure. The horizontally-opposed engine’s character is proving an excellent match for a diesel engine.

Also, the adoption of a thin journal for the crankshaft and turbo charger placed under the cylinder block enhances all the advantages of the Boxer Engine, which are “Low center of gravity” ”Low vibration” ”High rigidity & compactness” This delivers diesel’s powerful torque from the engine to the wheels, and increases traction, making the Subaru Boxer Turbo Diesel yet another achievement of Subaru’s advanced technology.

Last but not least, the Subaru Boxer Turbo Diesel boasts lower CO2 emissions in consideration of the environment.

I anticipate unveiling the Subaru Boxer Turbo Diesel engine next year at Geneva Motor Show."

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"Ninja monkeys are meeting as we speak, plotting my demise."

1982 300D "Melba" 332k
1985 4Runner "billygoat" 204k

Common rail w/ piezo injection system in a flat-6 layout - sounds like the Porsche engine designers are getting serious about diesels! I heard something about the project being cancelled with the sale of GM's share of Subaru to Toyota?

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Scott C.

2006 E320 CDI (120k miles)
FOR SALE: 1998 E300 Turbo Diesel - Black w/Tan Leather - Euro delivery (236k miles)

Whoops, make that a flat-4.

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Scott C.

2006 E320 CDI (120k miles)
FOR SALE: 1998 E300 Turbo Diesel - Black w/Tan Leather - Euro delivery (236k miles)

Fairbanks-Morse made a Horizontally opposed diesel for the military during WWII. It worked well in the diesel subs at the time.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

I was thinking the same thing but that was an opposed piston 2 stroke.
There is someone in the UK that makes a small opposed piston diesel for use in aircraft. It's cool.

A diesel boxer? What's this world coming to. Next we'll be putting gasoline engines in locomotives.

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1978 Ford F-150 351M
2002 Kia Spectra 1.8l 5-sp
1985 Volkswagen Scirocco 8V 1.8l 5sp
1985 MB 300D Turbo California

"Die Natur verabscheut Vakuum"

There was a gas turbine engine the UP ran in the 40's of 50's, but it did not last long because of reliability issues.

__________________
RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

I think the horizontially opposed FM engine you are think of was actually an "OP", or opposed piston. They were initally used for submarines and then railroad engines and later as offshore oil field supply boat engines. I worked with a company that had 5 ships with these engines in them.

These engines have 2 crankshaft, one above the other, and the pistons use the same cylinder. They fire head to head. These are extremely good engines although a bit complicated to maintain. They are now made by United Technologies.

There used to be an OP truck/bus engine made in the UK called a Commer "knocker'. I doubt that it is still made since the design was a bit complicated but as I remember it was considered a very relyable engine. Some of the UK board members might be able to shed more light on this motor.

H configuration engine? thats what i know those as.

a boxer diesel in a subby.. id soo drive that

Folks,

The Fairbanks-Morse, Opposed piston engine was a vertical engine.....if you are ever watching the movie "Down Periscope"....you will see the top crankshaft rotating with the covers off......probably looked good for Hollywood......

Those engines were originally designed for early railroad locomotives, and they were still in production as recently as the late '70's or early '80's....maybe they still make them......

The general idea was to use the forces exerted on the cylinder head....economy!!!

They are 2 stroke ported engines......if I remember correctly the lower piston was timed slightly ahead of the upper piston....thus covering the exhaust ports, slightly before the intake ports.....allowing for a supercharging effect, after uniflow scavenging......

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

Folks,

The Sun-Doxford was a very British design.....was a slow speed opposed piston crosshead type engine......but only had one crankshaft.....in the bedplate.....the upper pistons, were connected to the crankshaft via external linkage.....really odd....only ever saw one, glad it wasn't on my ship!!

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

Yippee....no more timing belts......wonder how long the simplex chain will last ?


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[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

i have heard rumors that bmw is in the testing phase of a 2 cyl boxer diesel for their motorcycles.

Shorebilly,

It is odd that you mention this engine with the external connecting rods. When I worked in the shipyards if Dubai I came across an Indian owned vessel, pretty much at the end of her run, that was built in the Harlen and Wolfe shipyard in Ireland. It is the same yard that built the Titantic. The engien, as I remember, had moveable cylinders that were connected to the crankshaft by 4 large rods that went from the cylinder to crank throws on either side. I never saw it run but it looked like an amazing engine.

The Subaru is a flat or Boxer engine.

This is an Opposed Piston engine:

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