On Sun, 28 Dec 2008 02:50:55 -0500, Wayne.B wrote:

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:48:24 -0500, RLM wrote:

Yes but that's the least of it in my opinion. It is difficult, if
not impossible to build a reliable, high output, lightweight diesel.
If it were possible lots of other people would have done it by now.
High power to weight ratio is what outboards excel at - diesels, not
so much.

Nothing is impossible. You design the tool to do the job. This isn't
going to be every ones engine. E-Tech has that wrapped up. This is a
diesel. Things change!

Some things don't change. By necessity diesels operate at higher
compression ratios which requires heavier cylinders and heads. There's
no way to save weight there without compromising durability.

With alloys and liners no problem. The crank and rods is where the beef is
at.

Aluminum heads were used on some diesels in the sixties. Ask an Onan
dealer about DJB's and DJC's. Air and water cooled.