Topic: Odd Ford Engine

[Dr Phat]

Today I got a chance to work on one of the lifeboat engines on our ship. Most of them have I4 four stroke Westerbeke diesels for propulsion. However, the one I was on had a Slant 4 four stroke Ford diesel engine on it. Even my Lieutenant was shocked when we noticed it was a Ford. Anyone know anything about these guys? Never really heard anything about a 4 cylinder Ford made diesel, yet alone a slant 6...err...4.

[jimbo74]

probably not too uncommon..... i know it sounds wierd, but the ford rangers we have out here in afghanistan are 6 lug axles, 4 real doors, and turbo diesels

[yotaneck13]

yea ford did all kinda weird stuff like the heavy half ton f150 with the 7 lug axels ever seen one of thoes?

[Dr Phat [OP]]

Yeah I knew about the 4 door rangers and 4 banger turbo diesels, I saw them down in Vera Cruz, Mexico.

Just thought this thing was odd as all hell though. Especially considering it was for a marine application and on an American flagged ship. Forgot to add it was naturally aspirated as well.

[KOPCJ7guy]

About the 7 lug nuts, I understand the Lightning pickup has 7 lugs also.  The reason I know is our one ton passenger vans at work have 7 lug hub caps on a 8 lug wheel.  I even pulled one to check!  I ask every one I can just to get the humorous responses.  Why would Ford put a 7 lug cap on a 8 lug wheel?  Anyone want to chime in on that one?

[brainlessfool]

.  Why would Ford put a 7 lug cap on a 8 lug wheel?  Anyone want to chime in on that one?

cuz there ford?

[yotaneck13]

thats what it was it wasnt heavy half it was the light 3/4 tons that had 7 lugs

[kneedownnate]

Most of them have I4 four stroke Westerbeke diesels for propulsion.

  I've worked on a lot of westerbeke stuff.  It's ok, but not what I'd trust for propulsion.  Then again, I worked on a lot of bombardier stuff and say they same, despite the fact that they make airplane engines too so 

[Dr Phat [OP]]

The westerbekes are surprisingly rugged from my experience. We have two of them that are torn down and rebuilt I'd say about 6-8 times a week reusing gaskets and everything, along with two Detroit stroke diesels.

[Stocker]

The westerbekes are surprisingly rugged from my experience. We have two of them that are torn down and rebuilt I'd say about 6-8 times a week reusing gaskets and everything, along with two Detroit stroke diesels.

Two engines that are rebuilt 6 to 8 times a week? When do they have time to run? What am I missing here? 

[IronClad]

Two engines that are rebuilt 6 to 8 times a week? When do they have time to run? What am I missing here?  

I was wondering the same thing. Im guessing its a typo as i couldnt see anything being rugged if they have to be rebuilt 6-8 times a week lol.

[jimbo74]

the ford truck woth 7 actual lugnuts on the wheel, and 7 holed rims was the ford 7700

[yotaneck13]

the ford truck woth 7 actual lugnuts on the wheel, and 7 holed rims was the ford 7700

thats not the only one i had a f25 come into th shop and it had 7 stud axels and 7 hole wheels

[IronClad]

thats not the only one i had a f25 come into th shop and it had 7 stud axels and 7 hole wheels

the 7700 is the code for the light duty F250

[yotaneck13]

[Dr Phat [OP]]

Sorry should clarify that, haha. I got to MA Maritime Academy, and one of the classes we have to take is internal combustion engines. So we have a lab that has the same engines as the lifeboat engines that we learn how to work on, disassemble, then reassemble and start. Im sure if we actually tried to use them to power something now they might not last to long or have other problems, but they always start right up when we reassemble them...correctly.

[kneedownnate]

On that note, the engine end is as dependable as what it came from, like the generators I used to run had mazda engines that were basically tanks.  The systems that failed were those designed by westerbeke, typically from being under-engineered.  What was worse was when I'd talk face to face with the engineers and service rep, bounce a persistent problem off them and have them give me a bs line about what they did to rectify it, knowing full well it still happened on the models they said had the fix.

[Dr Phat [OP]]

Haha, Im sure you have much more experience than me.

[kneedownnate]

Maybe, I think I worked on them for 7 or 8 years