DD class report

[Rickysa]

Just for anyone that might be interested....

I took Detroit's "Customer/Mechanic 1" class last week (for V92s) and highly recommend it for anyone new to (or wanting to learn about) DDs.

It's a four-day class with lecture in the morning and hands-on in the afternoon. We covered all the major systems during the mornings, and in the shop: pulled the head, replaced injectors, did a tune-up etc...put it all back together and fired it up.

I've always been intimidated by these engines, from the standpoint that If I were to touch something, it'd cost mega-bucks to repair what I screwed up, and that was if I could find someone to do the work...

No more tho

Rick

 

[Boatsb]

Was the class specifit to a single family or is it goof for 53-91 engines?

 

[Genesis]

You guys pulled cylinder heads? Cool! If you get to that point anything short of a major is within your reach, and frankly, its not MUCH further than that to replace kits, assuming you have the bottom-end access.

 

[Rickysa]

Was the class specifit to a single family or is it goof for 53-91 engines?

Just looking at the July-Dec '06 schedule, I see 71, 92, and all the new engines...I'd give them a call to check (954) 327-4460

Rick

 

[GeorgeJW]

Rick,

Where did you attend the course..cost, frequency etc? Is there a website? Thanks
George

 

[Rickysa]

You guys pulled cylinder heads? Cool! If you get to that point anything short of a major is within your reach, and frankly, its not MUCH further than that to replace kits, assuming you have the bottom-end access.

He showed us the tool used to pull the liners and replace kits...simple...you can bet the next time I'll be doing it...turns out the PO was using shore-side water for coolant, which I learned leads to cavitation in the coolant system along the side of the liner which causes holes in the liner and you know the rest....

Also, I've never had anybody tell me they measured the maximum no load RPM, which if not 10% of maximum load (2300), you will never make 2300 under load...using a quarter as a shim on the governer spring may well solve my problem of not making 2300....although the new props I've added sure are shiny, I could have save those bucks by just using a quarter.

For what it's worth, they have offered a complete (5-day) tear down/rebuild class in the past....I'd love to set it up if we can get three others

Rick

 

[Genesis]

If you've got a 2300 RPM WOT you want 2500 no-load. 2550 is ok - 2450 is NOT, as you will run into the governor and thus not really get "full fuel".

The tune is really not hard to do once you understand how it all works. Its a matter of taking your time and doing it right - most of the guys out there take shortcuts here and there, and while that CAN work out ok it can also screw you HARD if you get unlucky with it - better to just do it right the first time!

The big deal with kits (to some degree) and mains (to a really big degree) is access to the bottom end. There is just no substitute for having the engine on a stand at chest level, and being able to rotate it easily.

 

[Rickysa]

<snip>

The big deal with kits (to some degree) and mains (to a really big degree) is access to the bottom end. There is just no substitute for having the engine on a stand at chest level, and being able to rotate it easily.

Amen to that...I can't imagine being able to do anything requiring dropping the pan and accessing the bottom end in the boat. When it is time to overhaul the port engine...out she comes.

Rick

 

[StratPlan61]

I've always wanted to take a class like that but never did anything about it. Maybe now that I am retired I will do a little research and see what is available. I suspect the cost may be prohibitive, but it sure sounds interesting. I have a lot of experience with gasoline engines but limited with diesel hands-on experience. Anyone with info, please post so we can all prosper.

Bear'
1984 61' MY Strategic Plan

 

[Rickysa]

Bear,

That's why this course fit the bill for me perfectly....I looked into a short community college course, but nothing (especially marine) was avaliable, and certainly not at night (still working here)

This way, I got to play with my engine, learn the ins and outs of it (without have to read the entire service manual), see why maintenance is so important, etc...in just 4 days, in Lauderdale, for $720.

Rick

 

[SKYCHENEY]

That's not bad, considering how much it will save you in the future. Can you post the dates or a link of the '07 classes. I might have to get in on this.

 

[Rickysa]

That's not bad, considering how much it will save you in the future. Can you post the dates or a link of the '07 classes. I might have to get in on this.

They are through for the '06 season, and their homepage no longer has the class schedule (as it has been under construction... www.fdda.com )

Just give them a shout and ask for Blythe and she will email you the info...

I've got the '07 schedule in Word.doc format if anybody would like it.

Rick

PS...Tampa is not planning to offer the 5-day teardown/rebuild class next year unless 4 folks sign up...if anybody else is interested, let me know and I'll talk to Ft. Lauderdale to see if they will put a class together.

 

[Top Shelf]

Rick, I'm missing about 75 RPM on WOT under load (on 8V92's) , but can spin up to 2550 on no-load....pitched the wheels down as much as I care to.....where do those dang quarters go???? Thx.

 

[Genesis]

If you're at 2550 no load then the problem isn't the high idle speed.

Perform a deadrack test before going further - I suspect you will find that the rack is indeed wide open, and you either are still overpropped OR you have some other problem (fuel delivery is not up to par, etc)

 

[MikeP]

Also, I've never had anybody tell me they measured the maximum no load RPM, which if not 10% of maximum load (2300), you will never make 2300 under load

Maybe I misunderstood the quote..but if not, I'm surprised that the class didn't cover this. As Karl pointed out (as does the DD service manual) you have to establish the proper no-load WOT before you can proceed with any further work. If the no load isn't right, nothing else can be. As I recall - and I don't have the manual in front of me, it's 3000 miles away with the boat , but no load for the 8V71Ti is 2500 RPM, loaded WOT is 2350. Again, I may be misremembering the exact figures but they are in that ballpark.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Mike,
Those are the same numbers stated for my 6v92's. 2500 no load and 2350 under load. It makes sense that they would be about the same since my 465hp 92's are very close to the same as your 8v71's in hp and displacement.

Glad to see you back. We wondered how the move was going. Also good to see you still type in English.

 

[Boss Lady]

Hey Rick, is it tuna season yet? I am ready to go fishing. Call me when you can. Glad to hear you learned something in school. Just make sure you try out my favorite hand cleaner before returning to work! LOL Nothing worse than a Dentist with grease stained fingernails! That would ruin your image. LOL Chris

 

[Rickysa]

Mike: It was in the class that MNL was mentioned...it's just I've never had a mechanic mention it, so I don't know where I stand (first order of business is a strobe tach)

Hey Rick, is it tuna season yet? I am ready to go fishing. Call me when you can. Glad to hear you learned something in school. Just make sure you try out my favorite hand cleaner before returning to work! LOL Nothing worse than a Dentist with grease stained fingernails! That would ruin your image. LOL Chris

Chris,

Yellow fin are hot....bluefin are scattered. Boat trolled up to Oregon Inlet from Beaufort last night, so I'm hoping for a call anytime to say they are loaded up.


PS ...Mondays are always a pain because I have to wear gloves all day, even when just talking to patients

 

[arimkus]

If anyone is intrested on the DD 2007 training schedule and application forms send me an email and I'll forward them out to you. There are two courses, March 13-16 and June 19-22nd.
OR you can contact Blythe Williamson at her email address;bwilliamson@fdda.com
for the aforementioned.
Al Rimkus

 

[MikeP]

Rick,

Oh, now I understand and it makes sense! The DD class covered it but previous mechanics did not. Somehow I am not surprised. When I was doing no load WOT tests/adjustments on my engines at the marina, I had several guys tell me that "whatever" I was doing was going to blow up my engines. I told them what I was doing and the response in every case was, "I never heard of that." A mechanic at the marina told me he never worries about no-load WOT because it has nothing to do with "real" operation. He just props the boat to get the right RPM. I started to ask him a couple of questions but the "smart" part of my brain, which frequently goes missing, engaged and I just said, "That's good information, thanks!"



Sky - Thanks! Yep, in Mexico City now and speak just as much Spanish as I always did - "Una Cervasa por favor!" The Admiral, however, can talk up a Spanish storm! I'll say one thing about our State Dept, they can certainly teach languages. If only they were that good at their primary job...