Search Tony’s Tips
Years of Tips & Solid Advice for your Marine Diesel
Tony knows what it takes to drive marine diesel performance, design, and engineering. Here he packs his knowledge and wisdom into brief articles and tips that will allow you to better maintain and understand your marine diesel. These articles can be used by custom boat builders, commercial fishermen, recreational users, and more.
35+ Years of Cummins Marine Experience on ONE PAGE.
Marine Exhaust Systems,
- Everything you Need to Know About Marine Exhaust Systems
- Custom Marine Exhaust for Duane
- Designing a Marine Exhaust System
- Building a Custom Lift Muffler & Exhaust System
- Marine Exhaust Systems
- Marine Dry Exhaust Designs and Ideas
- Underwater Marine Exhaust Systems
- What a Marine Diesel Turbo should look like when Inspected
- Custom Yanmar Marine Exhaust Design
- Custom Wet Exhaust Designs
- Marine Exhaust System Examples & Photos
Exhaust How To's & Photos,
- Pictures of a Cummins QSM11 Marine Engine
- QSM11 Wet Exhaust Riser Test Pyro Port Location
- Proper Exhaust Bracing
- New Turbo vs 27000 hours Turbo
- Molded Hoses and Custom Lift Muffler
- Mockup for Port and Starboard Marine Exhaust
- First Signs of QSM 11 Exhaust Leaks
- Proper Marine Exhaust Spill Over Point
- Custom QSC Exhaust Mixer Design
- Custom Marine Exhaust Supports
- Custom FRP Fiberglass Marine Exhaust
- Custom Dry Exhaust Wraps
- Cummins Marine Exhaust Flange Pyrometer (EGT) Location
- Proper Technique for Clamping Exhaust Hose
- Typical Properly Designed Marine Port & Starboard Exhaust Risers
- Custom Marine Exhaust Supports
- Different Lift Muffler Styles
Marine Aftercoolers,
- Aftercooler thoughts, opinions, and answers to some queries…
- Cummins Marine Aftercooler Maintenance
- Yanmar Aftercooler Maintenance
- Aftercooler Condensation – A different way to look at air
- Testing a Cummins Marine Aftercooler
- Cummins CPL 970 & Welded Aftercooler Designs
- QSC Aftercooler Images
- Modified B Series Aftercooler
Aftercooler How To's & Photos,
- B Series Aftercooler O-Ring Identification
- B Series Aftercooler Types
- Aftercooler Condensation Drain Port
- Aftercooler Disasters
- Aftercooler Core Orientation
- Identifing your Aftercooler Type
- Aftercooler Discoloration from High Loads or Turbo Boost
Steering Systems,
Fuel Systems & Filtration,
- Marine Fuel Filtration “The Seaboard Way”
- Fuel Filtration
- What is white smoke?
- Understanding Fuel Line Sizes vs. Fuel Supply Restriction
- Using the Squeeze Bulb Effectively
- Squeeze Bulb Priming on Diesel Powered Boats
- Understanding Marine Fuel Coolers
- How to Bleed Fuel on a Cummins QSL 9 & QSC 8.3
Fuel Systems & Filtration How To's & Photos,
- Proper Marine Fuel Tank Pick-up & Balance Design
- Why we use Mud Filters in Marine Fuel Filtration
- QSL9 EPA Tier 3 Fuel System
- QSC & QSL9 Fuel Inlet Bleed Screw Location
- QSC WIF Plug Location
- QSC 8.3 and QSL 9 Main Fuel Return Port
- QSB5.9 vs QSB 6.7 HPCR Fuel System
- QSB Engine WIF Plug Location
- QSB Fuel Actuator
- Fuel Pressure Test Port
- Fuel Flow Diagrams for the Popular 6BTA 5.9 330/370 Diamonds
- Bleeding Air from your QSB Fuel System
- Cummins Marine 6CTA 450 Diamond with True 2 Micron Filtration
- Cummins Marine 330B 370B Bosch Fuel Lift Pump
- Cummins Marine 330B 370B Diamond Fuel Maze Diagram
- Cummins QSB 6.7 Fuel Supply and Return Ports
Marine Transmissions & V-Drives,
- ZF Marine Transmission Oil Specifications
- ZF Electric Shift Solenoid Information
- Why V-Drives, and then again, Why REMOTE?
- All About Marine Transmission V-Drives
- Inside a Marine Transmission
- Checking & Changing the Oil on your ZF Marine Transmission
- Oil Capacities and Dip-Stick Readings for ATF ZF Transmissions
- What is Gear Rattle / Chatter?
- Vulastik L (VL) Coupling Failures and Best Replacements
- What is a Marine Transmission Trolling Valve?
Marine Transmission How To's & Photos,
- ZF Electric Shift Solenoid Information
- How to properly mount a Vulkan Torflex Torsional Coupling
- ZF 280A Filter Location
- ZF 280 Oil Line Connections
- ZF 220A and Block Style Valve
- Identifying Early and Late Style ZF 280A Marine Transmissions
- ZF 280 A/IV MB15 Shift Valve Gear Oil Pressure Port & Sender Location
- Early ZF 220A Oil Pump & Suction Arrangement Differences
- Typical ZF Oil Screen
- ZF 280A Neutral Safety Switch Location
- ZF Troll Valve Safety Switch & Control Lever
- ZF Pump Removal & Likely Leak Spot
- ZF 63A Pressure and Temperature Sender or Switch Locations
- ZF 280A Marine Transmission with Heavy Duty 3/4” Aluminum Custom Mounting Brackets
- ZF 220A or ZF 220V Coupling Removal & Seal Replacement
- Transmission Oil Cooler Disasters
- Remote Mount ZF 325IV Marine Gear
- Best Gear / Transmission Pressure Sender or Switch Location
- ZF Shift Lever & Prop Shaft Spin Direction
- Aligning U-Joints on a Remote V-Drive
- ZF 220A or 220V Pressure and Temperature Sender or Switch Locations
- How to Check the Oil Level in a ZF ATF style Gear
- ZF 63 – ZF 85 Electric Shift Valve Drawing
- ZF 220A Oil Filter & Drain Plug Sizes
- Marine & Industrial Bellhousing PTO Driveshaft Couplings
- How to Measure a Gear / Transmission Oil Cooler
- ZF 220A Rotary Troll Valve assembly
- ZF 280 PTO Rotation
- ZF Marine Lubricant Specifications
- Identifying your ZF 280IV
- ZF Filter Cross Reference
- Marine Transmission Mounting & Bracketing Ideas
Engines & Components,
- The Cummins QSM11 Marine Engine Story
- “Marine Age” the REAL age of a Marine Diesel Engine
- Propellers Move Boats, Engines Just Turn Them
- Continuous Duty – A Different Perspective
- Understanding Low Power Troubleshooting
- Cummins Marine Delco Style Alternators – Identification
- Propping a Cummins Mechanical Diesel Engine
- Which Way Does My Engine Turn?
- Aneroid Adjustment on the Bosch P7100 Injection Pump
- Engine Life vs. Engine Loading
- Propeller installation / Big Nut vs. Little Nut
- Boost, EGT, and Horsepower
- Low Speed Running & “Break-In” of Marine Diesels
- Understanding What A Sleeved Diesel Engine Is
- Crankcase Ventilation
- Choosing the Right Diesel
- The Cummins 6CTA 8.3 Marine Engine Story
- Idler Pulley Issues on Cummins 6BT / 6BTA 5.9
- What is white smoke?
- Oil Pan Capacities for Cummins Marine Engines
- Engine Life
- Fuel and Horsepower
- Small Frame to Large Frame Alternator Kit for Cummins 6BTA 5.9
- Propping the Cummins Marine QSM 11 to Prevent Exhaust Issues
- Understanding SAE Bellhousing and Flywheel Measurements
- High Mount Turbo Configuration Examples
- Heavy Duty Commercial Grade Cummins 6BT 210 Marine Engine Packages
- EnviroVent Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) for Cummins Marine Diesels
- Cummins QSM11 Air Cleaner Options
- Cummins PTO and other PTO Solutions
- Cummins B-Series Coolant Plumbing
- Cummins 6B & QSB Oil Filters
- Changing a Turbo to Exhaust Manifold Gasket on a Cummins Mid-Range Engine
- Dealing with the Seawater Pump on a Cummins Marine 6BTA 5.9
- Cummins Marine QSM11 Dry to Wet Conversion
- Nippon Denso EP9 Idle – Bumper Spring Adjustment
- Marine & Industrial Bellhousing PTO Driveshaft Couplings
- Is my Boat Over-Propped?
- Cummins Marine Engine Oil Requirements
Engines & Components How To's & Photos,
- Bosch P7100 Injection Pump High Throttle Stop
- Cummins Marine Twin Engine Performance Difference Tolerances
- Choosing the 160F or 180F Thermostat for your Cummins 6BTA
- Removing and Installing the QSM11 Exhaust Manifold
- Engine Oil Myths
- Cummins Bosch P7100 Injection Pump Oil plug Location
- Cummins Bosch P7100 Check Valve & Return Line Manifold
- Cummins Bosch P7100 Injection Pump Throttle Arm Adjustment
- Oil Pressure Port Locations for Cummins 6CTA 8.3
- Heater Hookup Ports for Your Marine QSB 5.9 Cummins
- 6BT 6BTA 5.9 Coolant Drain Location
- Identifying Spinning Engine Components
- Marine QSB 6.7 Fuel GPH vs BHP
- Your Cummins Marine QSB Thermostat
- Typical Signs of a Sherwood Seawater or Raw Water Pump Leakage
- QSM11 PTO Steering Pump
- QSM11 Heater Supply Ports
- QSM11 Front Drive PTO
- QSL9 & 6CTA 450 Diamond Upgrades & Modifications
- QSC & QSL9 Heater Hookups
- Early and Late Style QSB Seawater Pulley Configuration
- QSB Screaming Fan Hub Bearing Failure
- Cummins Marine QSB Gear Oil Cooler Upgrade
- Early Style QSB Front 1280/1310 Spicer Adapter Drive with Pulley
- QSB 5.9 Oil Line Styles
- PTO and Water Pump Rotation
- Modified QSB 5.9 with Fuel Cooler Removed
- Measuring Blow by, The Real Test For Internal Engine Condition
- A Much Better Cummins Marine 6CTA 8.3 Gear Cooler Location
- Inside Your Cummins Marine QSB 5.9 Engine
- Identifying your 6BTA Heat Exchanger
- Identifying the Starter Motor on a Cummins Marine Engine
- Identifying The Front of Your QSB 5.9
- Identifying the Bosch Lift Pump on a 6CTA 8.3 450 Diamond & Others
- Identifying the Belt Tensioner on your QSB 5.9
- Identifying the Alternator on the QSB 5.9
- Identifying Early & Late Style B-Series Belt Wraps
- How to Test your Marine Bosch Fuel Shutoff Solenoid
- Heater Hookup Ports for Your B & C Series Cummins
- Heat Exchanger in Need of Service
- How to deal with the Fuel Solenoid on an Early B series with the Nippon Denso Injection Pump
- Early 3-Piece Thermostat to HX Plumbing vs 1-Hose
- Driving a Hydraulic Pump off your Cummins 6CTA 8.3 Engine
- Custom Remote Expansion Tanks
- Custom Murphy Gauges & Low Coolant Alarm
- Cummins Engine Oil and Oil Analysis Recommendations
- SMX and Sherwood Seawater Pump Ports
- Cummins Marine Three-Way Fuel & Oil Combo Block Manifold
- Cummins Marine Flywheel Housing Plug
- Cummins Cylinder Numbering
- Cummins Marine 6CTA 8.3 430/450C Fuel cooler Removal (Side by Side)
- Cummins 6BTA 370 Diamond Turbo Clip
- Cummins 6CTA 480CE Turbo Banjo Leak Fix
- Cabin Heater Connection Ports for QSB 6.7 & QSB 5.9
- Blowby Chart for Mid-Range Marine Diesel Engines
- 6LPA Aneroid & Sensing hose
- 6CTA 8.3 450 Diamond Thermostat Housing
- Sherwood Seawater Pump vs SMX Seawater Pump
- Yanmar 6LPA Oil Pressure, Boost Pressure, Pyro Port Locations
- Cummins 6BT/6BTA 5.9 Cylinder Head Torque Information
- Cummins Marine QSC/QSL Intake Manifold Temp (IMT) & Boost Sensor Location
- 6BTA JWAC – Boost Hose to Aneroid & Measuring Fuel Pressure
- Boost Fitting Locations for B & C Series Marine Diesels
- Cummins Marine 6BT Fuel Shutoff Solenoid Location
- Cummins Marine 4B, 4BT, 4BTA Boost Fitting Location
- Cummins Marine 6CTA 450C Throttle Cable Bracket
- Cummins Marine 6BTA 330B or 370B Throttle Cable Bracket
- How to Torque a Cummins Marine C-Series Cylinder Head
- Cummins Marine 330B 370B Diamond Gear Cooler upgrade
- Vibration Isolator & Engine Mount Views
- Nippon Denso EP9 Idle – Bumper Spring Adjustment
- QSM 11 Prop Curve – For Exhaust Manifold Health
- 6BTA 5.9 Belt Wrap with 21SI-28SI Alternator
- QSM11 Low Coolant Sensor Location
- QSM11 Wet Exhaust Riser Test Port Location (EGT, Pyro)
- A clogged seawater system lead to “BULGING HOSES” with excessive pressure from the seawater pump
- Best Oil Pressure test point on any Cummins B-Series Engine
- Proper Propping specs of the Cummins Marine QSC 8.3 500 HP Engine
- Propping the Cummins 6CTA 8.3 480CE vs. 430/450 Diamond Engine
- Cummins Marine Diesel Scheduled Maintenance
- How to Repair a Leaky Turbo Gasket on a Cummins Marine QSC 8.3 Engine
- QSM11 Alternate Oil Pressure Test Ports
- Cummins Marine Engine Oil Pressure Specifications
- Cummins Marine 6BT 5.9 with an SMX 1730 Seawater Pump
- Basic Fuel Shutoff Solenoid and Starter Wiring Information
- Changing a Cummins Marine 4B, 4BT 3.9, or a 6B, 6BT, 6BTA 5.9 Thermostat
- Cummins Marine 6CTA 8.3 M4 (480CE) Stall Stumble ECM Fix
- QSL & QSC Fuel System Components
- Yanmar 6LYA Oil Pressure & Boost Pressure Port Locations
- How to Find your Cummins Marine Engine Details
- Metric Bolt Torque Specifications
- Common Spicer Flange Yoke Sizes & Measurements
- QSB 6.7 Zinc Locations
- Cummins Marine Heat Exchanger Modifications
- Cummins 6BT 5.9 210 CAV Injection Pump Plumbing
- Cummins Marine QSB 5.9 Fuel Inlet Manifold Ports
Repowering your Boat,
- Propping a Cummins Mechanical Diesel Engine
- Installing shafts, logs, struts & rudders with your favorite engine & transmission – Part 1
- Installing shafts, logs, struts & rudders with your favorite engine & transmission – Part 2
- Propeller installation / Big Nut vs. Little Nut
- So what do all those propeller shaft numbers really mean?
- Choosing the Right Diesel Engine for your Boat
- Best Locations to get Water Flow for Shaft Packings
- Some Tips & Experiences on Hydraulically Driven Sailboats
- Everything you Need to Know about Propeller Shaft Packings
- Packing Glands & Grease a ‘Winning Combo’
- Packing a Packing Gland
- How to Machine Vesconite Bearings
- How to Measure the Propeller Shaft and Propeller Shaft Coupling
- Heavy Duty Zincing for Large Aluminium Pieces
- Heavy Duty Double Transmission Mounts
- How to Properly Float-in Engine Stringer Brackets
- Offset Shaft Logs
- Custom Exhaust on a Blackfin Boat
- Custom Boat & Shaft Struts
- Cummins 6B & QSB Custom Front Bracketing Ideas
- Propeller Shaft Strut Mock-up
- Propping Electronic Engines
Electrical & Instrumentation,
- Understanding the “Mag Switch” & Cummins Marine Engine Starting Circuit
- The Story of Cummins & Mercury SmartCraft “AKA SmartCRAP”
- QSB QSC WIF (Water in Fuel) Sensor Location
- How the Cummins Bosch P7100 Injection Pump Solenoid Works
- Cummins Marine Heater Grid Assembly Wiring Diagram
- Cummins Fuel Shutoff Solenoid Wiring
- Cummins Marine Delco Style Alternators – Identification
- Magnetic Switch Location on your B Series Cummins
- The Myths & Realities of Using Pipe Dope on Threads
- Sending Unit & Sensor Locations for Cummins Marine Diesels
- Delco 12SI Alternator Replacement on a Yanmar Marine Diesel
- DieselView & VesselView Digital Display Dimensions
- Cummins SmartCraft DieselView 1.0 Digital Display Manual
- Understanding your SmartCraft 1.0 “Medusa” Vessel Adapter Harness
- Starter, Crank & Fuel Shutoff Solenoid Wiring
- SmartCraft Gear Cooler with Transducers & Senders
- Cummins Marine QSB High Fuel Pressure Fault & Alarm Troubleshooting
- QSB 5.9 SmartCraft ECM, Electronic Components, and Wiring Harnesses
- Neutral Safety Circuit Diagram
- How to Wire a ZF Shift Solenoid
- How To Install a Magnetic Pickup to Drive a Tachometer
- Magnetic Pickup Location
- Early Style vs. Late Style VIP Box
- Learning your Delco 24SI Alternator
- Beede Tach Settings & Cummins Flywheel Tooth Count
- Cummins Engine Stop Kill Wire
- Magnetic Switches – Diagrams & Styles
- Always On Power Studs for SmartCraft v1.0 Engines
- Typical DC Power Distribution Examples for Marine Engines
- Typical Generator Shutoff Circuit
- ZF 220A or 220V Pressure and Temperature Sender or Switch Locations
- How to handle Water in Fuel (WIF) Circuit / Sensor False Alarms
- Cummins Marine On-Engine Fuse / Reset Button
- Cummins Marine Engine Position Sensor Locations for QSB, QSC, QSL & QSM
- Fuel Shutoff Solenoid Wiring 101
- QSB Position Sensor Location
- Cummins Marine J1939 Fault & Alarm Code Lookup
- Cummins SmartCraft VesselView 4 Manual
- Cummins Marine Coolant Level Sensor Leakage Issues
- QSM11 Low Coolant Sensor Location
- DELCO Electrical Specifications
- Redundant Alarms – The Least Expensive Engine Insurance
- SmartCraft DieselView Full Master Reset Instructions
- Why Won’t my Cummins Marine Diesel Shut Down?
- QSB 5.9 Boost & Intake Manifold Temp Sensor Location
- How to Identify a Bosch K1 Alternator
- Simple Cummins Marine Grid Pre-Heater Control Setup
- 6BTA 5.9 & 6CTA 8.3 Mechanical Engine Wiring Diagrams
- Proper Starter Relay Mounting
- Acceptable Starter Motor Wiring with Mag Switch
- Setting the MUS ID Jumper on Cummins Marine “Q” Engines
- Basic Fuel Shutoff Solenoid and Starter Wiring Information
- Cummins SmartCraft VesselView 1.5 Digital Display Manual
- Cummins Marine 6CTA 8.3 M4 (480CE) Stall Stumble ECM Fix
- Installing Digital Volt Meters (DVM) on Your Boat
- 3-Wire Alternator Regulator Diagram
- Which Cummins SmartCraft Display Do I Have?
- How to Deal with the Cummins Marine Air Heater Circuit
- Basic Engine Alarm Wiring Example
- Cummins BEEDE Analog Instrument Panel Wiring Diagram
- Cummins Mechanical Engine On-Engine Gear Pressure Sender Wire Location
- Popular Cummins Marine Delco Alternator Power Output Curves
- How to Install a Diode Isolator with an Alternator
Misc. How-To's & Photos, , , , , , ,
- QSB 6.7 Crankcase Pressure Sensor Location
- Zinc Locations on the QSM 11
- Zinc Locations on the QSL 9
- Zinc Locations on The QSC 8.3
- Zinc Locations Cummins Marine Diesel Engines
- Yanmar 4LH & 6LY Fuel Filter Pressure Tap
- Wall-to-Wall Steel Stringers in a Boat
- Tricks & Tips to Extract and Remove an Impeller
- Thru-Hull Screens, Outside Strainers, or Squid Screens
- Simple method to Measure Gear Clearance to Bottom of Hull
- Shaft Angle Relationships
- Serpentine Alternator Drive
- Screw-in Immersion Type Block Heater Ports
- Reversed Heat Exchanger Outlet for Clearance
- Why We Use Grease on Marine Engine Isolators
- Marine Engine Lift In’s
- Isolator Mounting & Parallelism
- IR Gun Temperature Check
- First Signs of a Coolant Leak on a QSL9
- Bolt Markings
- Arcusaflex ASK Cardan Shaft Coupling
- Lucas CAV DPA Injection Pump Instruction Book
- Seawater Pump Impeller Maintenance
- How to Measure Engines in Boats