Posted: March 17 2007 at 15:17 | IP Logged

Hello all, I put this message up on UnifliteWorld, but I like talking to you guys and I need all the coverage I can get.

Is there anyone out there that has experience with the Detroit 8.2L engine?  My 42’ Double Cabin (1984) has these engines and I don’t know much about them.  They are 4-cycle, V8s.  I feel especially uncomfortable about them because I don’t know how to bleed the fuel system.  I have been looking for a motor manual, but so far I haven’t found one that sounds right.  I saw a manual and a new governor for sale on eBay, but the model numbers didn’t seem right and I was leaving town and didn’t have time to investigate.  Are these engines sometimes referred to as the “V-71” series?  I have a small booklet that calls them “Fuel Pinchers”.  The other scary thing I have experienced is when I go to the parts house in Oakland, CA, and mention the serial numbers have an “R” in them, the parts man looks at me in terror and says that those “remanufactured” engines were not documented.  Apparently, remanufactured does not mean rebuilt, but instead it means that they were made for a marine installation and some of the castings are different.  Can anyone help me learn more about these engines?

David

Posted: March 17 2007 at 21:06 | IP Logged

The 42 DC came with five options for diesel power that Im aware of

cummins 903

detroit diesel 671

cummins 555

cummins 504

catepillar 3208

That unfortunately... is all I can tell ya.

Posted: March 19 2007 at 16:31 | IP Logged

Thanks captct.  I find the information interesting and valuable for the future. I looked at three of these 42’ DCMYs, two 1984s and one a little bit older, before I bought Adventure 10 months ago.  All three were powered by these 8.2L DDs, V-8, 4-cycle engines.  The Powerboater’s Guide says they came with the 6-71 engines.  I have a friend that bought an ’84 Cris Craft (48’) that is nearly identical to my 42’ Uniflite (except for the cockpit).  From the down station, I noticed that it was originally gasoline powered.  He told me that it has been re-powered with Cummins.  I don’t know which model Cummins, but I can’t wait to take a look around in his engine room.  It could be a plan for a future re-power of Adventure.

Posted: March 20 2007 at 20:15 | IP Logged

Interesting to note.Uniflite and what was left of it was bought out buy Chris Craft in 1984,After fires gutted both Uniflite plants.Chris Craft went bankrupt in 1989.But they did produce the 42DCMY for 5 years under a Chris Craft name.

Posted: May 03 2007 at 14:34 | IP Logged

So, there seems to be no one else in you small group that is running the 8.2L Detroit Diesels.  Well I’m going to tell you what I found anyway because I feel we need some activity on this form.

I have been studying my the motor manual that I bought on eBay and I’ve learned that these engines have a high pressure gear type fuel pump that pulls the fuel into the engine and pushes it up to the heads where a cam shaft opens the injectors as required.  There is very little sensitivity to a little air in the system.  However, the best thing I found was in the back of a small booklet that I found on the boat.  The booklet is a Detroit Diesel Allison “Owner’s and Operator’s Guide” about my “Fuel Pincher Diesel” engines.  Near the back (page 17) I found the “Procedure for Restarting an Engine That Has Been Run out of Fuel”.  The short story is (after filling all filters with clean fuel) to remove a ¼ inch pipe plug from the secondary filter cover, and using a hand pump, pull through/out about two quarts of fuel (and entrapped air).  Then remove the pump and replace the plug and start the engine.

I feel much better about the situation now.  In fact, that discovery really made my day!    I have not as yet learned anything about the governor because that is not covered in any of the manuals I have acquired.  But, that will come eventually I’m sure.

David