Lockers, cat engines, etc.

["Jason and Maria Colavecchia" <jasoncolavecchia@domain.elided>]

Hmm..over 500 posts...

Here are my belated replies/comments to two separate threads:

My comment about the lockers being Harder on components is valid.  Lockers
only allow "slippage" while cornering, and only when sufficient traction
allows the inside wheel to push the outside wheel faster.  In mud or
slippery conditions, a locker won't necessarily "unlock" while turning. 
Imagine, if you will, you are caught on ice with all four wheels spinning. 
If ONE wheel catches, you just sent all available torque to that ONE axle,
U-Joints, etc.  chances of breakage just went UP...
(I'm not saying lockers aren't cool...Tom's comments about learning their
particular characteristics is extremely important, and will avoid
unnecessary breakage due to lack of education)

As for Caterpillar engines being the BEST, this can be debated fairly
strongly...Mack produces the most advanced electronically controlled diesel
in the world, and can outpull cat engines of similar (and sometimes bigger)
displacement.  Mack's 427hp E-Tech is often compared to the cat 475hp
3406....

Anyways, I'm not too interested in debating this stuff, since it is my job
to do this on a daily basis...

I WISH, however, someone made a "small" displacement diesel for automotive
use that's built like the big diesels...things like replaceable wet sleeve
cylinder linings, big filters, two piece pistons (high strength crown,
aluminum sleeve) big cams, etc.  The only one I know of is the Mack/Renault
E3, which is rated for about 220 horsepower, and puts out about 650 ft.lbs.
of torque. It's still a big engine, but combined with the special 6 speed
(8.24:1 first gear, and its OVERDRIVE, too) it would be an awesome
combination... I've been dreaming (somewhat) about how to provide more room
under the hood of a scout and the IDEA popped out.....I'm not telling,
though...(future show-truck, possibly?)



Jason and Maria Colavecchia
1979 IH Scout II,  V304, modifications ongoing
1969 IH 1210D Travelall 3/4 ton, V345,  restoring slowly