The Cummins QSM11 Marine Engine Story
Time for some QSM11 education. As you read thru the below, always associate or think this—It’s 20 HP per gallon per hour—example = burn 17.5 GPH = 350 HP that is being asked from the engine – and that is … Read More
Understanding the “Mag Switch” & Cummins Marine Engine Starting Circuit
Why the “Mag Switch”? OR as it should be called… “Starter Control Relay” Many new starter units are coming supplied with solenoid control relays. These are the small solenoids mounted closely to the starter solenoid. The 39MT series Delco come with … Read More
Understanding Thread Types
When working in and around your boat, understanding the different fastener thread types can be exhausting! Not only are there many different types of fasteners on your boat and marine diesel engine, each of those fasteners can have different threads… … Read More
“Marine Age” the REAL age of a Marine Diesel Engine
I’ve been reading diesel engine owner’s manuals for over 2 decades and between the last three boats I’ve had, and the 100’s that I have worked on, this term never came up? Did I miss something? I think I coined … Read More
Propellers Move Boats, Engines Just Turn Them
Let’s remove the “serious math” …from of all the papers written on vessel movement and try to simplify the way a boat really moves forward and how that is directly related to fuel burn and MPG, and then explain it … Read More
Everything you Need to Know About Marine Exhaust Systems
Introduction Back in the 1970’s I became heavily involved in the mechanics of boats and before I knew it they became my passion. I have been lucky to have gained over 25 years of experience and 10’s of thousands of … Read More
Continuous Duty – A Different Perspective
When looking through engine literature and talking with sales people, often times the term “continuous duty” is brought up to help make a point or even sell one product over another. Here’s my perspective on the subject. Let’s take all … Read More