Gardner diesel engines

Surely not a 6LXB?

Wouldn't that be a little large for a car at 10 litres?

Alex

If I recall the Gardner that was in trucks equivalent to US "Class 8" (80,000 lbs) was a straight -8. They brought a couple of them into the US because of their best-in-world fuel economy around '73 or thereabouts.

Ten liters is 610 CID. The large Cummins that has been the standard engine in US linehaul trucks is 855 CID. The 8V71 Detroit was 568 CID, but a two cycle and the 6-71 was 426 cid. The larger Series 60 is 866 cid I think. So the 6LXB would have presumably a engine in the 3208 Cat, 555 Cummins class-local trucks.

I think most car Gardner installs were using a 4LK or 6LK.

That would be a 8LXB at 13.93 litres.

6LX 10.45 l (637 CID) 150 bhp 485 ft.lb 6LXB 10.45 l (637 CID) 180 bhp 536 ft.lb 6LXC 10.45 l (637 CID) 193 bhp 553 ft.lb 6LXCT 10.45 l (637 CID) 220 bhp 673 ft.lb

8LXB 13.93 l (850 CID) 240 bhp 695 ft.lb

8LXC 13.93 l (850 CID) 255 bhp 722 ft.lb 8LXCT 13.93 l (850 CID) 290 bhp 880 ft.lb

4LK was much earlier engine, 1935 to 1960. 3.8 litres (230 CID) which did go into cars. Maximum 85bhp, 185 ft.lb. There were only ever 2 6LK's built, the engine never went into production.

Alex

Which brings me to, are many 4LK Gardner cars still going? I think one would be cool to have over here but highway performance would be, I suspect, slow.

The 85bhp version was only made in limited numbers, the "normal" car

4LK or 4LK/2 was about 60bhp.

I rekon you'd be lucky to get 60mph out of one, and the gearing would be a problem as the engine won't rev higher than 3000 rpm without self-destructing.

A 5LW or 6LW might be a better choice. 6.94 l (423CID) 85bhp or 8.36 l (510CID) 102bhp respectivly. Like most gardner engines either for static/generator use or commercial trucks

Alex

A diminishing return on all engines. It amazes me how slow the NorthAmericanos are at getting rid of their huge beasts -and more amazed at the trend in a civilised country like ours.

3 litres and more for the milk run and for a car the husband and doting father spends more time washing than driving.