On 8/29/2013 2:04 PM, Mr. Luddite wrote:


"John H" wrote in message
...


Well....their pickup diesel engines left something to be desired in
terms of reputation. Otherwise
I'd be driving a Ford diesel.

John (Gun Nut) H.

-----------------------

The old Powerstroke 7.2L was a reliable workhorse based on reports of
people that had them. The bad rap Ford diesels received was the 6.0L
replacement, and I can vouch for that. It was introduced under pressure
from Ford marketing before it was fully tested and developed.

The replacement for it ... the current 6.4L has a much better track
record and reputation.

I like diesel powered vehicles, particularly pickup trucks. I would
have purchased another one back in 2008 except they had just introduced
the mandated catalytic converter "burn off" systems. Sounded a little
*too* crazy and new for me, so I went for a gas powered F250 instead.
It serves my purposes and is now almost 6 model years old but has under
19,000 miles on it.

On the same note, I was reading the other day that diesel power may
soon become the engine of choice for a wide range of both passenger
vehicles as well as trucks. The new ones are clean, very fuel efficient
and make more practical sense than any of the electric hybrids currently
available.

One thing I'd like to see:

A diesel engine was never really designed to run over a wide range of
RPMs. It was designed to run at a fixed, optimum RPM where it develops
the most torque for the fuel it consumes. Diesel powered trains run
at a constant RPM and the power generated is converted to electricity to
run electric drive motors. I'd really be interested in how applying
that concept in cars or trucks, using the newer, high efficiency diesels
and electric motors available today.





I have often said the same thing... Wonder how a diesel powered,
electric car would do...