Perkins Diesel Engines

[DJW]

Some years used a welder, (a real old one) powered with a Perkins diesel,(wonderful sound) in 1962 an International delivery truck used Perkins diesel, driver claimed 19 MPG, mostly city deliveries. In Britain they were replacements for worn out gas engines, much cheaper to run, lower fuel cost, plus great MPG compared to gas, far longer service life, also no electrical ignition woes, (damp climate). During WW2 travelled all over country and all weather in Britain, never had any problems, started up every time.

 

[tgordon]

Looks a lot like the one in dads loader, a MF50EX. Started and ran great in any weather till the hired man tried to start it with ether after running out of fuel. Dad had the upper rebuilt and now the lower is really bad, I think it only runs on 3 cylinders. Looks to have the same intake heater also. wire in a button to heat and then while it cranks it will spray some fuel into th eintake by the heater. I do not know exactly how it works, but before the head gasket blew we had started it as cold as 0 without being plugged in and it didn't miss a beat starting.

 

[jmy]

CAT and Ford did a F150 project in 1999 using a Perkins 3L diesel, 225HP 407TQ and 29 MPG (hwy). Interesting project.

From PDF:

"The HSDI platform used for the Phase 1 and Phase 2
demonstrations will be derived from a existing V-6 HSDI
engine (Figure 4) originally developed by Perkins-Engine
Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc.
This prototype engine was developed to demonstrate
HSDI technology and the production feasibility for
application to the Executive Car, Mini Van, and SUV
sectors. [4]


Entire PDF is available at:
Information Bridge: DOE Scientific and Technical Information - Sponsored by OSTI

 

[GHarman]

CAT and Ford did a F150 project in 1999 using a Perkins 3L diesel, 225HP 407TQ and 29 MPG (hwy). Interesting project.



I guess that is my point! Why will our automotive industry not follow through with projects like this? Just look at the fuel mileage @ the HP and Torque ratings! That is as good as many small cars get for mileage! There has got to be a balance in there somewhere. Its not all mileage OR horsepower. If Perkins/Cat can do it, why cant Cummins? Now, where are the consumer vehicles? GregH

 

[LandShark]

I put a Perkins 4-236 (85hp) in a 50' sailboat back in 1987. Put 3500 hours on it prior to selling the boat. Never had a single problem. Engine used one gallon per hour pushing the boat at 6. 5 knots at 1700 rpm. These engines often go 6000+ hours.

Be carefull of newer engines which are Perkins 'branded'. Many are no longer made in England.

 

[tgordon]

GH, you ask why, my best guess is they don't want to pony up the $$$$$$ and don't think there is a market for them. The main defense they use is the emission regulations, but if they spread the emissions out over the mpg they get I wounder then how they stack up. The big couriosity for me is if all the Jeep Liberty CRD's sold before they were even produced, and met emmisions, why then is it that they are not continuing to produce them, do they think it will be something like the PT Cruiser?

 

[DJW]

LandShark, sadly too true, ' Be careful of newer engines which are Perkins 'branded'. Many are no longer made in England. ' Whenever one company takes over another well respected company, in general it's not to improve the product, it's to Increase Profits, and in many cases dilutes the original. Did Daimler improve Chrysler products? (that would be a matter of opinion. ) (Mickey Moused the Dodge, did a Strip-Tease as much as possible). All the British sports cars founded by enthusiasts were Cannibalized with shop parts when taken over by a parent company, and when exported to the US, the final act of Infamy fitted with larger (softer) tires to increase comfort, thus Buggering Up the steering, balance and other attributes far too numerous to mention.

 

[Tomscreek]

I also have a perkins diesel in a Case David Brown tractor. It's hard starting when cold but other than that it's a great engine. Unbelievable fuel economy. I run it at about 1500 rpm I think, baling hay and it just doesn't hardly use any diesel.