Champion Creates Professional Grade Poly-7 Red Grease for Diesel Trucks

Not all grease is created equal. Here's an excellent new grease from Champion Brands, Poly 7 Red.

(Clinton, MO. 04.01.21) For over six decades Champion Brands, a blender of packaged motor oils, gear lubes, brake fluids, and other specialty diesel and automotive chemicals, has recently announced a Professional Grade Poly-7 Red Grease for driveshafts, tie rod ends, fittings, U-joints, kingpins, drag link, spring pins, spring shackles, slack adjusters, etc. in diesel street, off-road, and racing applications.

Champion Poly-7 Red Grease, Part #4053T/40- 14 oz., is red in color, a NLGI #2 classification, tacky, multi-purpose, and high temperature grease that incorporates polymer and premium additive technologies, hydro-treated base oils, calcium sulfonate, and a lithium complex thickening system. Its unique chemistry prevents melting and breakdown of the grease at temperatures over 500°F.

 

These additive and polymer technologies ensure for the racer maximum lubricity, adhesion, resistance to water wash-out, and defiance to sling-off. Strong tackiness additives keep this grease in place under high pitch line speeds, and provide ease of application. It is engineered with extreme-pressure anti-wear additives to deliver excellent protection in heavily loaded diesel applications, ensuring long component life.  
https://www.championbrands.com/poly-7-red-nlgi-2-high-temp-super-tacky-grease/

 

Poly-7 Red contains a premium combination of additives that provide excellent resistance to oxidation, rust and corrosion. Extreme-pressure chemistry and polymer technology work together to ensure reduced wear, especially under extreme shock loads, and protects against scuffing, spalling, fretting, and pitting of bearings, gears, and bushings.

 

The high base oil viscosity index improves pumpability while offering higher protection at high racing operating temperatures, while lithium complex thickening provides top tier run-out resistance at heightened operating temperatures. Its superior friction-reduction properties help ensure diesel street, off-road, and racing type vehicles operate at peak performance.

 

About the company: Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion   produces and blends over 350 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the automotive, racing, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information about Champion Racing & Performance Lubricants contact your nearest Champion distributor, or call Champion at 660-890-06231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, or go to  http://www.championbrands.com

 

Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil Supports OOIDA Members

The value of professional associations cannot be overstated. They're be useful for learning, as crisis counsellors, career resources and more. Yesterday we wrote about the legislative work and legal advocacy that SEMA performs on behalf of the automotive aftermarket.  There are racing associations and manufacturing associations, associations that establish standards and there are legal associations. And then there's the OOIDA.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) performs an invaluable service for independent truckers. This association of professional truckers provides professional representation, education, benefits and savings for small businesses and pro truckers. The OOIDA has been fighting to defend the rights of small business truckers since 1973.    

Truckers are the unheralded heroes behind the scenes who keep our economy going. They transport food and goods to our communities and vaccines to our hospitals. Their services are essential.

For this reason Champion Oil, a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over six decades, has announced a special promotion with Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil for members of the OOIDA.

 

Photo: Louis Velasquez

No other organization works harder to aggressively represent your views on regulatory and legislative issues to lawmakers in Washington, DC. OOIDA has more than 150,000 members who are working together in the trucking industry.
https://www.ooida.com/

 

In recognition of OOIDA members, Champion is offering a free Champion hat, t-shirt, limited-edition oil rag, and decals to OOIDA members who send a copy of their 2021 OOIDA membership card and a 2021 receipt for 5 gallons or more of Champion’s Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil to marketing@championbrands.com.

 

“API CK-4 Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are formulated with workhorse high-zinc performance additives, superior protection, advanced polymer technology, and high TBN, supported by a carrier blend of synthetic fluids,” stated Karl Dedolph of Champion Oil.

 

“In addition, Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils deliver unmatched high temperature film strength and lubricity protection, with the muscle to combat oil shear and maximize sustained cylinder compression. They also inhibit oxidation, corrosive acids, sludge and varnish build-up.”   

“These robust performance oils keep diesel engines going longer by reducing soot induced engine wear, controlling abrasive soot contamination and preventing high temperature corrosion, even while allowing for improved fuel economy and lower total cost of ownership. They are proven to increase engine horsepower and torque,” added Dedolph. https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/

  

About the company: Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion produces and blends over 300 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the automotive, racing, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, commercial, and specialty markets. For more information about Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil contact your nearest Champion distributor, or call Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, or go to www.championbrands.com

 

Are You a New Diesel Owner? A Few Things to Think About

First time diesel owners quickly learn that there are differences between diesel- and gasoline-fueled engines. How does this impact the oil change maintenance regimens one has developed as a vehicle owner?  

It helps to understand your oil's responsibilities. Oil plays a variety of roles in your engine. Oil lubricates moving parts to reduce friction and reduce wear as well as keeping the engine running cooler. It also creates a seal between piston rings and cylinder walls. In addition, oil helps keep the engine clean by conveying soot and other contaminants away to be collected in the filters.  

The interior of an engine is exceedingly brutal on lubricants. For this reason, oil gets abused and over time breaks down. Additives in the oil also get depleted. This is why oil doesn't last forever and must be changed periodically.

How often we change our oil depends on yet another variable, our driving habits. 

This is why you see shorter drain intervals listed "for severe service." Owner's manuals give specific recommendations regarding the type of oil you use as well as the duration you can safely drive with that oil. 

One example of driving behavior that qualifies as severe service would be towing, especially when frequently carrying loads uphill as in that road up the long incline from Sedona to the Grand Canyon. You may not live in the Rockies but many parts of the country have their uphill grades that put extra stress on an engine pulling a load. 

Stop and go driving does a number on your engine oil as well. This is why it is also considered "Severe Service/Severe Use."

A third type of activity that is harmful for your oil is idling. Some people may think idling is just giving the engine a rest. Why is that bad? In point of fact, because engines that are idling are not operating at peak temperature, the fuel fails to undergo complete combustion. As a result the fuel residue on cylinder walls can contaminate the oil and cause corrosion in other parts of the engine.

Another thing to think about is the where you live and its impact. The diesel owner needs to understand the environment they drive in and how it effects oil contamination from air flow. 80% of all the contaminant in the oil that depletes additives comes from the air stream after the air filter. The dirtier the environment the more frequent you might have to change filters and oil.  Monitoring through oil analysis you  can understand what’s happening including decreasing TBN or increasing TAN. 

For best results, use the correct oil for 
your application. 

Some aspects of driving are counterintuitive. That is, they go against what you might otherwise think. Driving long distances on highways will do less damage to your engine oil than driving half that amount of distance in town. 

Whether driving a Ford Power Stroke, Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cummins, your owner's manual provides guidance as regards what oil to use along with a recommended drain interval. A complete oil change includes changing the filter as well. If you take care of your engine, it will take care of you as well, for a very long time.

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Related Links

Champion Brands Diesel Engine Oils

Uncertain which oil to choose: Ask Jake

Firepunk Diesel S10 Sets New 1/8-Mile Record Under 4 Seconds

World record set in September, broken in February

There is something remarkable about barriers. There was a time when it was deemed impossible for a human to break the four-minute mile time barrier. How it was achieved is a much longer story, but one variable is that competition improves us all. Most interestingly, once Roger Bnanister broke the barrier in 1954 other began to do it. Today, over 1400 runners have broken the four-minute mile. 

This past weekend Firepunk Diesel broke an impossible barrier by becoming the first-ever diesel-powered vehicle to break four seconds in the eighth mile. The Ohio-based Firepunk Diesel team accomplished the feat at the Lights Out 12 in Adel, Georgia.

Lavon Miller has been a builder to watch for many years now, and with Larson Miller behind the wheel, it was a head-turning performance. The Cummins-powered 2000 Chev S-10 whipped out a 3.998-second 1/8-mile pass, reaching a scorching 182.67 mph at the finish.

In recent months the Firepunk Diesel team has been slowly inching toward this breakthrough moment. According to a story in The Shop the established a record at No Mercy 11 with a 4.11-second pass and more recently put down scores of 4.10, 4.04 and 4.00, so they've been eyeing this moment for a while. It's clearly one of those stories of continuous improvement, find new ways to squeeze a hundredth of a second more out of every facet of the engineering.

There are quite few eyes on this cutting edge team, so expectations are always high. No question that what they accomplished at the South Georgia Motorsports Park would have been deemed impossible 20 years ago, or maybe even five.

Here's Monica Gonderman's version of the story at Truck Trend when the news first broke February 25. There's a small squadron of photos worth checking out as well:

They Did It! Firepunk Diesel Has a 3-Second Chevy S-10 Cummins Drag Truck

http://www.trucktrend.com/news/firepunk-diesel-3-second-chevrolet-s-10-diesel-drag-truck

Congratulations to Lavon and Larson Miller, and the whole Firepunk Diesel Team.

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Do you have a great Diesel story?

Leave us a comment or drop us an email:

BlueFlame1952@gmail.com

Champion Oil Seeking Diesel Vehicle Builds for SEMA 2021

Just as the lights from Virtual SEMA 2020 recede in the rear view mirror, the brighter lights of SEMA 2021 are already beginning to appear on the horizon. Plans are underway for the upcoming SEMA Show with one key message: Re-Connect. 

In a year when trade shows in nearly every industry were virtual, there's a hunger to connect once more face-to-face. Whether connecting with buyers or with peers, Las Vegas awaits.

One of the highlights of SEMA are the project vehicles. At the SEMA Show in 2021 something different is underway, or so I've heard. The aisles will be wider for social distancing purposes, but they won't be vacant. There will be cars and trucks on display throughout the halls. It should be interesting.

As many builders are aware, companies offer products to builders to help them defray expenses and achieve their dreams. This year, Champion Oil is seeking unique and interesting diesel vehicle builds for SEMA 2021. The vehicles, typically pick-ups, will be promoted by a variety of marketing methods using many social media platforms and technologies.

Each year, the SEMA Show features more than 1,000 project vehicles. The project-vehicle program is an exclusive opportunity for owners, builders and manufacturers to showcase their builds and sponsored products. The experience is valuable to participating manufacturers, like Champion Oil, that can offer products to project-vehicle builders at no charge and additional products at a substantial discount.

 

The dates for this year's show will be November 2^nd thru the 5^th. Champion is offering Champion’s Blue Flame Performance Diesel Engine Oil plus marketing support and recognition here at the Blue Flame Blogger blogspot. Products and promotion will be available for a limited a number of diesel specific project vehicles that plan on displaying either outside, inside or at a specific vendor booth. 

 

 The company will be offering several perks to selected builders as follows:

1. The vehicles will be promoted in advance by press releases, social media, etc. 

2. At the show, the vehicle and owner must be willing and available to be featured in a video interview about the build.

3. Their story will be posted on the Blue Flame Diesel Blog and Champion Facebook and Twitter channels. 

4. The diesel vehicle owner will be able to autograph photos during the show at the Champion booth, plus purchase additional Champion products at a special show display pricing of 50/50. https://www.championbrands.com/products/

 

To enter your diesel vehicle for consideration, send a digital photo or rendering, description, & contact info to: marketing@championbrands.com

 

About the Products

Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are formulated with workhorse high-zinc performance additives, superior protection, advanced polymer technology, and high TBN, supported by a carrier blend of synthetic fluids.

 

In addition, Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils deliver unmatched high temperature film strength and lubricity protection, with the muscle to combat oil shear and maximize sustained cylinder compression. They also inhibit oxidation, corrosive acids, sludge and varnish build-up.

 

These robust performance oils keep diesel engines going longer by reducing soot-induced engine wear, controlling abrasive soot contamination and preventing high temperature corrosion, even while allowing for improved fuel economy and lower total cost of ownership. They are proven to increase engine horse power and torque. https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/

About the Company
Champion Brands, LLC, is a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 65 years. Champion Brands, LLC also produces and blends over 300 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information about contact Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO  http://www.championbrands.com

Champion Brands Contingency Program for 2021: How to Get Your Piece of the Action

Diesel Drag Racers Rewarded for Wins with Champion Blue Flame Performance Engine Oil    

(Clinton, Mo / 11.12.20) Champion Oil, a globally recognized industry leader in performance lubricants for over 64 years, continues their robust Diesel Racing Contingency Program into 2021. The all-encompassing marketing program is designed to link Champion Blue Flame Performance Diesel Racing Engine Oils directly with diesel drag racers in all classes and in most sanctioned diesel drag-racing events in North America.

Winners from local diesel drag events to national championship diesel drag racing events are eligible for cash contingency payouts. Examples of diesel drag races to be rewarded include: The Outlaw Diesel Super Series, National Association of Diesel Motorsports, Ultimate Callout Challenge,  Scheid Diesel Extravaganza, Sun Coast Shakedown, Rudy's Truck Jam, Ultimate Callout Challenge, Outlaw Diesel Revenge,  Holly Rock Customs Showdown, Rocky Top Diesel Shootout, Hardway Sunshine Showdown, Battle at the Alamo, East Coast Diesel Nationals, Diesel World Drags, Blackout in the Country, Week-End on the Edge, etc.

 

Diesel Racers can apply for the Champion Diesel Racing Oil Contingency Program by clicking on the orange button in the right hand column or here. To be eligible, register now through June 30, 2021.

 

Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are formulated with workhorse high-zinc performance additives, superior protection, advanced polymer technology, and high TBN, supported by a carrier blend of synthetic fluids.

 

In addition, Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils deliver unmatched high temperature film strength and lubricity protection, with the muscle to combat oil shear and maximize sustained cylinder compression. They also inhibit oxidation, corrosive acids, sludge and varnish build-up.

 

These performance oils keep diesel engines going longer by reducing soot-induced engine wear, controlling abrasive soot contamination and preventing high temperature corrosion, even while allowing for improved fuel economy and lower total cost of ownership. They are proven to increase engine horse power and torque. Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oils are purpose-built for extreme protection and performance.

https://www.championbrands.com/diesel-engine-oils/

About Champion Brands, LLC, a globally recognized industry leader in specialty lubricants for over 64 years. Champion also produces and blends over 350 products including fuel, oil, engine additives, and lubricants for the racing, automotive, heavy truck, agricultural, industrial, and specialty markets. For more information about contact your nearest Champion distributor, or call Champion at 660-890-6231. Champion Brands, LLC; 1001 Golden Drive, Clinton, MO, 64735 or go to http://www.championbrands.com

Two Diesel Stories About Ram Fuel Efficiency and the 2021 EcoDiesels

Last week CNET published a story about a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel HFE that gets 33 miles per gallon on the highway. That is an eye-opening number, especially when compared to the gas guzzlers we used to drive in the 60s and 70s. My '72 Ford only got 12 mpg if I remember correctly. 

The story by Antuan Goodwin, reviews editor for Roadshow, begins by comparing the two ends of the 2021 Ram 1500 spectrum.

At one end of the 2021 Ram trucks lineup is the 1500 TRX, a 702-horsepower beast that guzzles fuel like the apex predator that it is. At the other end of the spectrum, however, is the newly announced Ram 1500 Tradesman HFE EcoDiesel. Returning an estimated 33 highway miles per gallon, it's currently the most fuel-efficient member of the 1500 family, beating even the automaker's eTorque mild-hybrid models.

The target buyer appears to be building contractors.

The Goodwin piece details very specific comparisons between the different Ram offerings, giving high marks to the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 for not only its fuel efficiency but also its 480 pound-feet of torque that enables it to tow more than 6 tons of mass.

After celebrating the features of the Ram HFE EcoDiesel, the author takes a detour to remind us that the Chev 2021 Silverado matches the same 33 mpg as the most fuel efficient Ram, and the Ford F-150 with its PowerStroke isn't far behind.

MEANWHILE, Motor Trend's story on these trucks has a similar take, though less flattering to the Ford in this round of comparisons.

Greg Fink's account of these mid-sized offerings was also published on February 10, as if the automakers wanted a coordinated release for the info these media channels were permitted. The Motor Trend piece is embroidered with the same amount  of detail about engines, fuel economy, power output and the like, but sums up the real difference with this comparison:

While the HFE EcoDiesel may not fit as much junk in its cargo box as the regular HFE, it does offer a more comfortable rear-seating space and can travel further on a gallon of fuel.

Before drawing to a close, Fink suggests that the benefits of the EcoDiesel's fuel economy may not be that noteworthy when compared to the cost of diesel fuel vs. gasoline right now.  

Here are links to the two articles. Both are rich with detail and have insights that will help you make your own decision if you're looking for a 2021 at this time.

2021 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel HFE sips fuel at 33 higway mpg
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2021-ram-1500-ecodiesel-hfe-33-higway-mpg/

Special 2021 Ram 1500 Diesel Model Dominates F-150 for Top MPG, Ties Chevy

The 33-mpg Ram and the F-150 aren't even close, but GM's diesels are right there.
https://www.motortrend.com/news/2021-ram-1500-hfe-ecodiesel-price/

2021 Chev Silverado Diesel Makes a Splash in Argentina

On January 1, GM Authority kicked off the year with a story about a 2021 Chevrolet Silverado that was unveiled in Argentina a few days before in Cariló Park. The Silverado 1500 is a diesel-powered gem, and as you can from the photo here it is dressed in silver so luscious it appears to be liquid.

Deivis Centeno, the author of the story, shared how this was a pretty big surprise when the Silverado was unveiled at the end of year event a couple days earlier. The silver LTZ is equipped with a Duramax turbo-diesel 3.0L LM2 inline-six engine that generates 281 hp and 457 pound-feet of torque.

Argentina has more than 14 million cars and trucks on the road, more than any other Latin or South American country other than Brazil and Mexico. It's understandable that GM is seeking to find the right vehicles to match customer needs in that country. The Silverado is part of this effort. 

The top five brands in Argentina are Volkswagen, Toyota, Renault, Chevrolet and Ford. The two American automakers are neck and neck. GM has made a commitment to zero in on what Argentinians are looking for. 8% of the people there live in rural communities where agriculture remains strong. Ford is the leader in pickup truck sales, which is why GM is eager to win hearts with the Silverado.

Centeno states, "The automaker announced that it will continue analyzing its target audience’s preferences and fine-tune the most appropriate offer for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado in the Argentine market. As a result, it’s possible that some versions of the pickup featuring the 5.3L L84 V8 engine, with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, will also be available in Argentina."

The Silverado is expected to go on sale during the first half of this year. It's summer in this Southern hemisphere country at the Southernmost tip of South America. GM has chosen an exotic location to display its offerings, at a place called the Chevrolet Forest Walk, a 28,000 sq. foot area in the middle of a forest. Pretty cool digs.

GM, we wish you well in your efforts there.

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Here's a reminder to enter our sweepstakes and win a year's supply of Blue Flame Diesel Oil. Click on the bright green button on the upper right of this page.

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Do you have diesel news or good diesel story?
Tell us about it. Send it to our Blue Flame director Karl Dedolph III 
@ kdedolph@championbrands.com

Gas-Powered? Here’s a top-tier choice for Vintage Trucks

This product is not from our diesel family but it is an important one for enthusiasts with old, gas-powered classic trucks. The reason is that in the mid-90s the American Petroleum Institute began to phase out zinc and phosphorous. There were soon problems cropping up in older vehicles with flat tappet cams. In response to this need, Champion introduced a beefed up Classic & Muscle Car Oil that protect old vintage vehicles. Here are the details.

Champion’s Classic & Muscle 15W-50 Motor Oil is a favorite among enthusiasts with older gas-powered vintage pick-up trucks, hot rods, street rod, classic, and muscle car engines. This full synthetic motor oil is proven to provide more horsepower and torque than other leading brands of oil for older vehicles.  

 

These benefits are directly linked to Champion’s premium base stock and ZDDP anti-wear protection package, which contains a unique balance of chemistry including high levels of zinc and phosphorus. The full synthetic formula provides lower coefficient of friction than conventional or synthetic blend motor oils. Plus offers film strength and viscosity stability of thicker mono-grades at higher temperatures with less drag, provides upper cylinder anti-wear protection, and reduces operating temperature. 

https://www.championbrands.com/classic-muscle-15w-50-full-synthetic-motor-oil/

 

In addition, the Champion 15W-50 Classic and Muscle Motor Oil is specially formulated utilizing exclusive TVS® (Thermal Viscosity Stabilizer) technology. This proprietary technology delivers unmatched film strength at high temperature, better piston ring seal for maximum compression, and increases the foot-pounds of torque in most engines.

 

This top-tier oil addresses the potential of flat tappet camshaft failures found in older gasoline motors. The problem started years ago when oil companies began producing oils with a reduction in the anti-wear additive packages and noticed flat tappet camshaft and lifter failures 

 

“Most engine builders over the years might have blamed camshaft or lifter hardness, however they found that the majority of the failures were, in part, due to a reduction of anti-wear additives in motor oils. These failures coincided with an EPA mandate calling for the reduction of the Zinc additive and a longer life of the catalytic converters,” stated Karl Dedolph, Director of Champion Racing and Performance. 
https://www.championbrands.com/classic-muscle-15w-50-full-synthetic-motor-oil/

 

“This is not a problem in late model engines using roller lifters and newer camshafts because they do not need the anti-scuffing additive packages to protect the sliding action of flat tappet camshaft and lifter surfaces,” said Dedolph. “The main anti-wear additive in Champion’s Classic and Muscle Motor Oil is Zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDP).  There are other anti-wear additives but Zinc is maybe the most well-known oil additives found in any “purpose-built” oil. In much the same way that aspirin cures many ailments, ZDDPs provide many benefits to lubricating oils, especially engine oils”.

 

This class of additives delivers the anti-wear film necessary to protect metal parts under mixed lubrication where metal-to metal contact can occur. They function by adhering to the metal in the engine and are activated as metal-to-metal contact causes temperatures and pressures to rise. 

 

The result is a smooth, glass-like surface that provides excellent protection of metal components. This sacrificial coating prevents metal to metal contact, which reduces friction and wear. All key protection properties for cams, lifters, push rods, wrist pins, distributor gears, bearings, etc.

 

ZDDP also provides an excellent anti-oxidant that works synergistically with other additives found in engine oils. Along with its stability it activates at differing temperatures and pressures.  

Champion’s Classic and Muscle 15W-50 Motor Oil is recommended for typically all non-catalytic converter equipped vehicles. This “purpose-built” oil provides a higher level of Zinc not found in the current API certified oils for recommended for newer OEM applications. 
https://www.championbrands.com/classic-muscle-15w-50-full-synthetic-motor-oil/

Engine builders and enthusiasts can now feel assured of using the right oil for their hot rods muscle cars, antique cars, trucks and vintage boats to protect the flat tappet camshafts. The full synthetic 15w-50 viscosity range will work with older, high compression engine and their larger clearances. 

“Forget the 0W-20 and 5W-20 used in today’s motors; they run tighter clearances and are specifically designed to work with these new, thinner oils. Older engine designs and platforms use heavier viscosity oils such as 15W-50,” added Dedolph. “Champion’s 15W-50 full synthetic motor oil is built specifically to meet the lubrication demands of older gas-powered vintage pick-up trucks, hot rods, street rod, classic, and muscle car engines”.

 

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CONGRATULATIONS CHAMPION BRANDS 

as you celebrate 65 Years serving the needs 

of automotive and diesel engine enthusiasts.

Truck Wars: Who Has the Most Powerful Heavy Duty Diesel

Last week, TheFastLaneTruck.com published an article by Andre Smirnov comparing the latest and greatest details of our 2021 heavy-duty diesel truck offerings from the Ford, Chevy and Ram families. It includes a video, billing itself as Heavy-Duty Diesel Truck Wars! 

Smirnov takes the approach of a conscientious private detective, patiently assembling data and making useful comparisons. When all is said and done, will it be the 2021 Ford Super Duty, 2021 Chevy Silverado HD / GMC Sierra HD, or the 2021 Ram HD?

The starting point for his analysis is a straight up comparison of power output and torque. The highest horsepower was generated by the Ford Super Duty, its 6.7L V8 turbo-diesel cranking 475 hp. The torque monster, however, turns out to be the 2021 Ram HD, edging the Ford with 1,075 lb.-ft. of torque. Here are the numbers:

	2021 Chevy/GMC HD	2021 Ford SD	2021 Ram HD
Engine	6.6L V8 turbo-diesel	6.7L V8 turbo-diesel	6.7L I6 turbo-diesel H.O
–Power	445 hp	475 hp @ 2,600	420 hp
–Torque	910 lb-ft	1,050 lb-ft @ 1,600	1,075 lb-ft
Transmission	10-speed auto (Allison brand)	10-speed (Ford)	6-speed (Aisin)

It's interesting to see the places where these power plants differ. Note the slightly smaller Chevy/GMC engine. It's also interesting how the Ram has a 6-speed transmission whereas the competitors utilize a 10-speed setup.

When it comes to towing and payload ratings, Smirnov notes that this is where the manufacturers are digging down, fighting for your dollars. That's because at the end of the day you want a work truck that can work.

The first comparison is of the maximum tow ratings for diesel-powered one-ton dually trucks with a regular two-door cab, rear wheel drive only. A follow up chart provides max payload ratings for gasoline-powered two-door 2WD trucks. The conclusions he draws are surprising:

While the diesel-powered trucks have the torque and power to tow great big trailers and the exhaust brake systems to slow them down, the diesel engine itself adds weight to the truck. As such, if you want maximum payload from your heavy-duty truck, you need to choose one that is powered by a lighter gas engine.

This is first place where Smirnov dons a Sherlock Holmes twist, comparing not just the trucks but the method of trailering, either gooseneck or 5th-wheel. 

Then like a sidewinder he throws another curveball, suggesting that many people prefer crew cabs and 4WD so they can carry more people. And what about a 2021 dually crew can with that 4x4 configuration? Shouldn't we compare these, too?

After laying out the numbers for these he continues still further to the 3/4 ton diesels, and by the time he gets to the end what have we learned? That the verdict is still out, sort of. The author states that they will be updating data as additional information comes in.

The article ends with a video designed to make us hungry for more diesel action in person than what we could share in 2020. HERE is the link for Truck Wars.

What Makes Diesel Engines More Reliable for the Long Haul?

Early direct injected Mercedes-Benz diesel, circa 1963

Yesterday we posted here about a YouTube video explaining why diesel engines produce more torque. The video, about two years old, not only showed how diesel engines differ from gasoline engines, but also how many people were interested in understanding these differences. More than 1.5 million people had watched the video.

The link that led us to that video was actually found in an article at Interesting Engineering titled What Makes an Engine Reliable. 

What does make an engine reliable? The short answer is how well this conglomerate of moving parts can deal with the heat and stress generated by the multitude of mini-explosions taking place inside the piston cylinder.

The author Trevor English begins with an eye opening statistic. We have more than 1.4 billion cars on planet earth. Some of the beaters in this world are held together with wire, nuts and bolts. Some barely start, and some will last for ages. 

Here's how English describes what goes on inside an engine:

 

Engines handle some insane environments. On one end, they can survive in extreme weather conditions, but what happens inside is an even harsher climate for engineering. From fiery explosions every few seconds to hot and cold cycles with oil gushing about, getting a machine with thousands of parts to handle this environment is no easy feat. 

He then turns to the reliability question. Why do some motors last a million miles (with maintenance) and other blow apart at 200,000?

  

The primary reason engines blow is overheating. 

When an engine gets hot, all of the components of the engine warp and expand. Engineers design for these expansions within a certain range but when an engine reaches temperatures outside of its intended range, seals and gaskets can blow — or worse — cylinders and other components can catastrophically fail under the stress. 

To deal with all this heat engineers developed cooling and lubricating systems. Coolant conveys the heat away from the engine. Lubricants reduce the heat generated by friction and also serve to mitigate heat. 

 

English breaks down the various way design failures in these cooling systems can lead to premature death for an engine at certain failure points. Cooling systems are also dependent on radiators to dissipate the heat, which is another variable in the reliability equation. It's more than just having oil and coolant though. Oil and coolant capacity is also a variable. This, he states, is one of the first design features that can make an engine "ultra-reliable." 

 

Interestingly enough, there are ways that small engines can be designed to be more reliable. And just because an engine is big, he states, it doesn't mean it will live longer.

Diesel vs. gasoline

The heart of this story for us comes at this point after all the other groundwork has been laid. Why are diesel engines regarded as more reliable, especially for long distance travel and towing? The answer, he states, has to do with lubrication. The fuel itself is more lubricative than gasoline. 

What he is referring to is what happens when the fuel is injected into the cylinders. Diesel fuel helps lubricate the enhine and minimizes friction. By way of contrast, gasoline usually has detergents that clean the interior of oil and other grime inside the cylinder.

Additional considerations

The article is essentially about reliability and all the decisions engineers must consider when creating a new engine design. For example, what material to use for the head and the block, as well as the head gasket, which is a common failure point.

"Another factor that influences the reliability of engines goes beyond thermal forces and rather deals with kinetic forces from the movement of the pistons. The way these forces are dealt with primarily comes down to engine layout," he explains. 

The various kind of engine designs are discussed next followed by a discussion of engine cycles as it goes from cool to hot and back to cool, and how this has a bearing on an engine's durability.

   

In short, this is an exceedingly thorough discussion that is worth reading in whole. We've only touched on some the highlights here. Be sure to check it out. If you do not have tine to read it now bookmark it for a good weekend diversion.

What Makes an Engine Reliable

https://interestingengineering.com/what-makes-an-engine-reliable

See also: Why Do Diesel Engines Make More Torque

https://theblueflameblogger.blogspot.com/2021/01/why-do-diesel-engines-make-more-torque.html