I was reading a copy of FLYING magazine in a hospital
waiting room. Saw an article about a new twin-engine
private plane with DIESEL powerplants. The Theiert
engines are based on a Mercedes block. Expected
lifespan is 1,000 hours (soon to be 2,400). They are
not rebuilt, but are replaced. At a cost of about
$25,000 .   Each.
I wonder if this means that pairs of turbo-diesels
will be available for our vans? Not terribly likely.
But  who knows? Any of you airplane guys know if there
is any life left in an engine after this amount of
airtime?
On an equally hilarious note, some enthusiasts  are
repowering Royal Enfield Bullets with clones of
one-lung Yanmar diesels. The bikes resemble Hagrid's
ride in  the Harry Potter movie. Lately they have been
made in India.
Clones/ripoffs of the sturdy Yanmars are widely  but
thinly available in the Pacific Rim, I believe.  Looks
like something used in small agricultural machinery or
generators. The whole point of the diesel conversion
is the use of Biodiesel, cooking oil or whatever to
avoid petroleum. I think the little thumpers provide
speeds up to 50-60 MPH and  burn maybe  2 liters per
100 Km.
What'll be under your tree tomorrow? George in GR. '87
Van O'White

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