R&R Sherwood wrote:
The diesel engine subject came up at the airport today. One of the guys
said that diesels put high stress on the propeller during the power stroke.
Don't know if this is true but it is worth looking into if you are
considering using one.
Russell Sherwood
SVX powered Glasair
Houston, TX

Hi Russell,
I'm not sure, maybe the guys are right about the first generation of
diesels, efficient but heavy beasts of burden, knocking and vibrating
and fuming. The modern common-rail turbodiesels, especially the latest
ones with multiple injections per combustion cycle are smoother than
even gas engines. Then, if you take an inherently smooth engine, like a
straight or a V6, you have the best of both worlds. If Jaguar could be
convinced to put one in their line of cars, it's good enough for me.
Then there are the even more cutting edge 2-stroke super- and
turbo-charged diesels. These are smooth and super efficient, like 90
mpg in the compact cars they go in, the K-cars of Japan.
Some 15 years ago I had a Suzuki microbus, which originally had a
2-stroke gas engine, hopelessly ruined when I bought it. I replaced the
engine myself with a 534 cc three cylinder 4-stroke from a newer
model, and I remember being able to carry the engine plus gearbox around
single-handed. The Japanese make wonderful stuff. It's a pity not
everything is for export.
Kumaros
It's all Greek to me.