On Wed, 05 Jan 2005 02:22:36 +0000, Chris Newport
wrote:

A petrol (US gasoline) engine will probably have a usefull
life of a few thousand hours, OTOH decent diesels such as
CAT or Volvo should be good for between 10,000 and 20,000
hours because they are designed for heavy truck duty.

===========================================

With all due respect, that is wildly optimistic. Gas engines that
make it to 2,000 hours with out a major rebuild are the exception not
the rule. Some do, but not very many, probably under 20%. More than
50% last less than 1200 hours or so in marine service. I have a 24 ft
I/O with a 1978 5.7L Chevy still going strong with countless hours but
it has been rebuilt piece-by-piece, some pieces more than once.

Marine diesels that make it past 4 or 5 thousand hours with out a
major overhaul are also the exception. Many last far less depending
on maintenance and usage.