Marine engine longevity

[SKYCHENEY]

I just received a promotional "magazine" that is put out by MTU Detroit Diesel. It was sent by our local DD dealer here, WW Williams. In it is an article on the Shelter Island ferries at the end of Long Island. Those guys run 5 car ferries all with twin 400hp series 60's in them. One of the units just turned 50,000hrs. That's 50,000hrs on both engines with no overhauls. Not bad for any engine and I don't care what the application is. Now if I could get that out my 6v92's, I could run her for about 6 years and never shut her off.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Ive been looking at the 60s as well. I just dont like the DDEC stuff. I wonder if they can be converted to mechanical?? ws

 

[Genesis]

400HP out of 778CID - they damn well ought to run a VERY long time (that's a nearly-13-liter engine)

Note also that an engine that is run continually (or nearly so - 8+ hours a day) will last a LOT longer than one that sees typical recreational service, as there won't be corrosion down inside that occurs when it is shut down and sits.

 

[Avenger]

I was on an Ocean 45 that had a pair at 875 HP. I don't think they would have lasted as long. In automotive service the 60 Series was commonly known to go over 1 million miles with nothing more than routine maintenance. Now I understand that MTU is looking to kill it, if they haven't already. I agree with Tugboat Willie about the DDEC but that also has a lot to do with the longevity, less soot, less dilution etc. all contribute to it. Also I've always thought that the 40 Series which is actually an International DT-466 would have made a phenomenal marine engine, but I'm not aware of anybody who marinizes them.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

That DT466 was a great engine. We had a dump truck with one and it just ran and ran. The truck went through 2 cabs and 2 dump boxes before engine needed an overhaul. It is too bad that no one marinized that engine.

 

[Boss Lady]

It had rather low HP I think around 230 HP which may be why it did not cross over. In the medium duty truck category it did well, but trucks rarely see full loads for very long, just take off and hills. The usually spend more time empty that full too. The loads a boat puts on an engine are increased by a factor of 10 in comparison.

 

[34Hatt]

The usually spend more time empty that full too. The loads a boat puts on an engine are increased by a factor of 10 in comparison.

Good point well my boat is next door to these ferrys. In season they are full but only in one direction and if they are propped right they are not being pushed to hard 85% of the time. They do run about 18 hrs a day and I think 24 hrs in season. Well regardless about the load I have to say those #s are pretty impressive but wonder what the repair log looks like also would be Interesting to read!!!

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Been perusing used equipment pubs with stuff for sale, and seen more than once, road tractors that are just plain worn out with 750K to 2M miles with still good running 60s being sold for parts. I mean like torched frame rails with power modules etc. A million miles and they are still clean. I think DDAD finally started to walk upright with this one. Before you know it they will be able to touch their thumbs to their forefingers. Actually contemplated picking up 2 RTOs and marinizing myself.
Back to the jet drive thred, simple with no gears to contend with. DDEC with a dash mounted laptop (dashtop?) for performance issues, but the downside is still low speed inefficiency. I may become a GHANA pig for this one. I dont have that much to lose. Research continues... ws

 

[Avenger]

It had rather low HP I think around 230 HP which may be why it did not cross over. In the medium duty truck category it did well.

Remember all of our marine engines started out as lower HP truck or industrial engines. Many marine applications exist at HP's that are impossible in automotive. IMHO the significant cooling efficiency from using seawater as opposed to 90º air has a lot to do with that. I would guesstimate that a DT-466 could easily exceed 400 HP without trouble. But for some reason Navistar doesn't play in the marine market anymore. I would think that trying to marinize them and boost the HP effectively would involve too much engineering to accomplish without factory support.

 

[Boatsb]

I know of a manufacturer who will build a marinization kit for any engine you need. They can build it in stainless and other metals but it's probably a bit pricey.

 

[luckydave215]

You have to ask yourself what's reasonable. I could marinize a WWII radial air cooled fighter plane engine, but does it make sense? Why try to reinvent the wheel? DD's (or equivilent) work just fine for the application.