Diesel Course?

[Skip]

We live in the Annapolis, MD. area, and I am interested in finding a good diesel maintenance course (1-2 weeks long) to help me learn to maintain my 8-71's by myself. Anyone have any suggestions? I'm willing to travel to get the course.
Thanks,
Skip

 

[Rickysa]

DD in Ft. Lauderdale has a one-week course that I took and highly recommend

Rick

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

I was born/raised in Ft lauderdale and know the place DD does it's training. They are very easy to deal with and will send you the list of all classesthat they have coming up in the near future.

 

[skrmetta90]

I just called detroit about their classes in Lauderdale. They have a 71 series class ( i have 8v71's too) on Nov. 27-30 and they have another next year Feb. 12-15. I'm trying to get into the Nov. class. Cost is $720. It covers everything up to the tune up, it doesn't cover the full breakdown, but it seems to be exactly what i need. Geared toward owners and captains. the number is 954-327-4440

 

[Brian Degulis]

Before you do that have you checked out your local vocational schools many offer night classes that are almost free and close to home. Detroits are so common so I would think that most of those schools could help you.

Brian

 

[SKYCHENEY]

The good thing about the FL DD class is that it is taylored to marine conversions. I doubt a vocational school would be quite as informative.

 

[DCMY #92]

I have not looked into it lately, but Florida DD in Tampa and Orlando used to also offer these courses. If you have a problem with the Lauderdale schedule, you might try the other shops.

 

[Brian Degulis]

The good thing about the FL DD class is that it is taylored to marine conversions. I doubt a vocational school would be quite as informative.

Yeah I'm sure that's true I'm just looking at how much easier it would be in the evenings close to home. I took one near me a while back for CNC Machining the instructors where very good and if you tell them what your interested in they can usually focus on that. I walked into the diesel class one night and it was very much focused on DD that's what made me think of it.

Brian

 

[Boatsb]

We should see if we can get a group rate and try to fill a class. Hopefully near someones boat so we can sit there and relax on it afterwards.

 

[skrmetta90]

Here's an idea: The Miami boat show is Feb 14-18. This class is Feb 12-15. For those who love traveling to the boat shows and who want to learn about 71 series detroits, why not kill two birds with one stone!!!!!!!! And you're right Scott, i know they give discounts to the coast guard because of the numbers, it might be worth a shot.

 

[Rickysa]

If you guys do get a group together, you may want to request the complete tear-down class.....as they don't offer it anymore unless a group requests it.

It's a bit more money, and done in Tampa....just something you may want to consider

Rick

 

[Jaxfishgyd]

I have zero desire to learn how to tear a motor down all the way...

Mine were completely rebuilt in 2000 and I just want to maintain them. Besides, as we live on our boat, no longer have many all the tools to do such a job....

I did check the local community college and vocational schools here but the courses they teach are geared for mechanics and last way too long.

Did contact the local DD center but they do not offer any classes.

But as a Fort Lauderdale native, would like to cruise back home and have the boat as my motel while attending the class...

 

[skrmetta90]

I'm actually interested in all of it. Once i win the lottery i'm going to quit my job and work on diesels. I called about the tampa class. They haven't done it in over a year due to lack of numbers. I'm definitely in for the Feb. class here in Lauderdale as the november model is full. If anyone else is interested let me know and we can see about a group rate. Also, if anyone's interested in the tampa thing let me know as well.

 

[Captned]

I'm interested but wanted to go to the NOV class. Full up, huh? I'll go in Feb.

Captned

 

[cruisintoo]

Any ideas on a course offering for us old Cummins guys? Old engines like the 903's is what I mean.

 

[Dan Mapes]

It'd be interesting to attend. I've always wondered about the special tools required like injector height measurement, and 4 valve head adjustment tools.

 

[MikeP]

Certainly attending a class is a great thing and the best way BUT, if you can disassemble/reassemble a lawn mower engine without having any extra parts left over, you can do the same with a DD if armed with a few special tools and, most importantly, the DD service manual. Forget any of the chilton/clymer, whatever publications. For normal maintainance, you probably don't need special tools beyond an injector height gauge and the two valve adjustment wrenches - and some folks don't even use the valve adj wrenches. BUT you DO need the DD service manual!!

The biggest issue is that the various component parts are generally bigger and, more importantly, heavier than the same components on a smaller engine. So yanking the starter off that 8V71 is a bit more of a PHYSICAL chore than pulling one off your family car. But the process is no more complicated.

 

[krush]

I agree with mike. Aside from special procedures, an engine is an engine and if you can read and have wrench turning skills, you can fix almost anything.

 

[sarettah50]

I would be interested in attending the DD class in Feb. Tampa or Ft. Lauderdale would be okay with me. While Tina would not be interested in diesels, the idea of escaping St. Louis winter for a week to sunnny Florida would have her attention. Please let me know if you can put anything together. Thanks

Capt Andy