One Strong Bold Diesel

The November issue of Diesel Tech featured a mouth-watering story by Colin Peterson about a striking 2006 LBZ Duramax Chevy 2500HD. The owner hasn't even turned 20 yet, but he's certainly demonstrated where his passions lie. It's a long detailed look at not only what this diesel beauty has become, but at the challenges the young owner overcame to make it happen.

One of the best features of this story is the quantity of photos accompanying it. When you start scrolling down the page (on the website) you half wonder if this is only a montage of photography and whether the full story would be there at all, but indeed it's there, with abundant detail.

The owner is Chastin Tollakson of Murdo, Sough Dakota. Murdo, for reference, is on South Dakota's Western prairie between the Missouri River and Rapid City. There's undoubtedly a sign there that says 81 miles to Wall Drug. (Trivia: Did you know that the Missouri River is the longest river in North America? Yes, it is even longer than the Mississippi.)

Peterson begins with a little background, writing that the youth "has worked tremendously hard to get to where he is now with his 2006 LBZ Duramax Chevy 2500HD. The truck is his daily driver as well as his work vehicle. With zero rust, a custom black and white paint job, and a whole lot of big upgrades, this truck is full of character and looks newer than it is. The paint scheme also has a silver stripe between the black and white tones midway up the rig, helping it to stand out even more, especially when someone gets up close to it."

One reason there are so many cool photos of this truck is that Chastin is quite active on Instagram. Evidently he's built up quite a following.

The LBZ began its life as a farm truck, no doubt working its tail off for a few years. Chastin bought it and began personalizing it, turning it into his daily driver. 

Chastin is a model of what it takes to succeed in life. He knew what he wanted, worked very hard and saved his money in order to buy it, illustrating the principle of delayed gratification. Once he owned the truck, he had a lot of the work performed at a pair of top notch diesel shops in Idaho and Montana. He's also learned a little about how to do other kinds of upgrades and how to add accessories. Some of these include "a 7- to 9-inch Cognito lift kit with aftermarket traction bars and Air Lift air bags sitting on Cooper Discoverer STT Pro 37-inch tires wrapped around 20-inch Hostile wheels." 

The work he's done under the hood says a lot. In addition to rebuilding the engine, "every other part on the motor was replaced or rebuilt," he says.

Peterson outlines all the add-ons inside the engine compartment and it's extensive, more than two paragraphs worth. Add the bodywork and his stereo system with Bose speakers and you have a standout venue for any tailgate party. The lights under the wheelwell are as sweet as cherries.

There's much more to this story, so you really need to head of to the full account at Diesel Tech. This young man is well on his way to being a hero in the Diesel Army.

Read the full story here: Strong & Bold

https://www.dieseltechmag.com/2021/01/strong-bold

Kudos to the builders who helped Chastin with his dream:

PowerTech Diesel in Idaho Falls, Idaho
G&J Diesel in Billings, Montana

Full list of suppliers for Chastin's upgrades is found at the end of the Diesel Tech story.

Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil Recommended for Limited-Edition Shelby F-250 Super Baja Pick-Up

In February the story broke about the new Shelby F-250 Super Baja Limited. It was a fun story because for many, this is what dreams are made of. The name alone is iconic, in part because of its celebrated history. It's not every day that you see a car designer featured on the silver screen. (Ford v. Ferrari) Then again, the Shelby story really does at times appear to be bigger than life.

So it with special enthusiasm that I read yesterday's news headline: 

Champion Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil Recommended for Limited-Edition Shelby F-250 Super Baja Pick-Up 

Here's the rest of the story.

Champion Oil, a global leader in performance diesel engine oil now celebrating its 65th anniversary, announced that Shelby American is recommending Blue Flame Diesel Engine Oil  for its new Ford Shelby F-250 Super Baja, a Limited-Edition off-roading pick-up truck. 

“We deigned the Shelby F-250 Super Baja pickup to perform under extreme conditions, both on and off-road," said Gary Patterson, president of Shelby American. “With 6.7-liter V8 Power Stroke Turbo Diesel churning out 475-horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque, the truck can really fly. For such an aggressive application, we recommend using Champion’s Blue Flame 15w40 CK4/SN Performance Diesel Engine Oil."  

Built for Shelby in Elkhart, Indiana, by Tuscany Motor Co., and in Las Vegas by the Shelby American team, the trucks will be sold at select Ford dealers in the U.S. Each will be documented in the official Shelby Registry. Production will be limited to only 250 vehicles.

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. The Shelby F-250 Super Baja needs a total of 13 quarts of oil including the capacity of the oil filter.

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. 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

Ford F-350 Goes 1.3 Million Miles With Original Diesel Engine.

Diesel engines are noted for their longevity, among other things, but the engine on this Ford F-350 seems out of this world. Then again, regular oil changes and routine maintenance can produce a significant service like for your workhorse.

Mircea Panait's March 5 story in Auto Evolution begins by attempting to give us a sense of how far 1.3 million miles is. Since 52 times around the circumference of the earth doesn't have the same wow factor as two and a half trips to the moon and back (plus a little extra) he chooses the latter comparison. Either way, it's a pretty good haul.

If you've ever owned a vehicle for an exceedingly high number of miles, you're probably aware of how the wear and tear of daily use takes a toll on various other parts and components. The owner of this Super Duty detailed all those replacement steps he took along the way. The most shocking stat was the replacement of 12 windshields. Not sure what he did with that truck but I hope no one was hurt. Other replacement parts included "two sets of brakes, four alternators, four radiators, three sets of belts, and two batteries."

Other replacements also occurred during the life of this truck. It's worn out three turbochargers and getting close to needing a fourth. The universal joints have been replaced a couple times as well as the hub lockouts three.

But that Power Stroke V8 has been something else, a stalwart indeed. In part this is because he's dutifully changed the oil and filter every 8,000 miles. He also uses a gasoline additive with every fill and an oil additive with every oil change.

The fellow who put all these miles on that engine was not the original owner. It was purchased in the neighborhood of 98,000 miles, at which time he removed the EGR cooler and diesel particulate filter in or to improve efficiency and performance.

In the closing section of the story Panait describes the meticulous attention he gives to how he drives his truck, thereby lengthening the life of his tires. In short, the owner has been giving attention to every aspect of his truck's "care and feeding." By giving attention to the thing he loves, his F-350 has given him much in return, though I would still like to know why he had to replace all those windshields.

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If you want to take care of the truck you love, here are some Champion products to keep in mind as you baby your own.

Diesel Engine Oils

Diesel Fuel Additives

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Here's the full article at Auto Evolution. Lots of photos help tell the story:

1.3 Million Miles Later, This 2013 Ford F-350 Still Has the Original Diesel V8

When Do Diesel Engines Need To Use A Break-In Oil And Why You Should Choose Champion PowerShield

Champion PowerShield: A Premium Break-In-Oil and Top Choice of Diesel Engine Builders

Champion Oil, with the help of testing from top-tier diesel engine builders from around the country, now offers three different motor oils specifically designed to reduce the potential of engine failure during a hard break-in. These purpose-built “mineral based” lubricants are offered in SAE 30, 10w-40, and 20w-50 viscosities.  

Champion’s PowerShield Break-in oils are specifically formulated to seal the piston rings against the cylinder wall for maximum engine compression and power. Break-in-oils typically use conventional base stock without friction-modifier additives to allow controlled wear between the rings and cylinder wall. They also contain a high level of zinc and phosphorus additives to protect the camshaft and other components during break in.

How PowerShield Works

Break-in oil is different from regular motor oil because it is designed to allow the rings to wear down the peaks on the cylinder wall to form a good seal. Regular motor oil, in contrast, is designed to prevent wear.  

Sealing the piston rings when breaking in an engine requires allowing the rings and piston skirt to carefully wear down the peaks on the cylinder wall. Although a new or freshly honed cylinder appears smooth to the naked eye, it contains microscopic peaks and valleys. If the valleys are too deep, they collect excess oil, which burns during combustion and leads to oil consumption.

The sharp peaks provide insufficient area to allow the rings to seat tightly. That means highly pressurized combustion gases can blow past the rings and into the crankcase, contaminating the oil and taking potential horsepower with it. The result is maximum compression and minimum oil consumption.

Plus, Champion’s PowerShield Break-In-Oil helps harden the camshaft so it’s more resilient to wear. The solution is to use a properly formulated break-in oil that contains conventional base oils and high-quality ZDDP additives. These additives are heat-activated, meaning they provide wear protection in areas of increased friction. The additives form a sacrificial layer on the surface of parts, which absorbs contact and helps prevent cam and tappet wear. 

Champion Brands Engine Builder Products 

Compared to synthetic oils, conventional base oils result in a thinner, less durable protective oil film on engine parts. The thinner fluid film allows controlled wear at the cylinder wall/ring interface.

When Do You Need Break-In Oil?

New diesel trucks don’t need break-in-oil. Some OE manufacturer might still require you to drive under light-to-moderate load for a few hundred miles, then change oil.  But diesel rebuilds or competition engines should use a designated break-in-oil. 

A simple guideline is run the diesel engine above 1,500 rpm for 15 minutes. As for seating the rings, testing has shown it can take multiple dyno passes or more. That time varies depending on the engine, ring tension, cylinder hone, temperature, and other factors. The dyno provides the best method of determining exactly when the rings are seated. Your screen data from the dyno will show a boost in horsepower as the rings seat. 

Another guideline for Champion PowerShield Break-In-Oil might be to run the rebuilt or competition diesel engine under light-to-moderate loads for about 500 miles. Then, drain the break-in-oil, install your diesel specific oil and commence driving.

About PowerShield Break-In Oil

Champion’s robust formulations contain a proprietary technology contains unique high levels of zincthiophosphates (ZDDP), in combination with Champion’s proprietary TVS® (Thermal Viscosity Stabilizer), which extends oil film capacity for proper ring seating.

These top selling break-in-oils are also formulated with polymers and viscosity modifiers. During break-in and heat cycles, as the oil heats up, the friction modifier thickens and allows the oil to behave more like a heavier viscosity oil at operating temperature.

Dispersants and other additives are put in the break-in motor oils to help keep the engine clean. Any wear particles generated by the piston rings, cylinder walls and other moving/sliding parts as the engine breaks in will be suspended and carried away by the oil to the oil filter.

Professional engine-builders that use Champion PowerShield Break-In-Oil will experience the difference provided by numerous barriers of protection. These robust products are field tested and suitable for use in all types of diesel engines. 

https://www.championbrands.com/power-shield-engine-products/

RELATED 
Special Offer For New Champion Diesel Oil Distributors

Limited Edition Armed-Forces-Inspired Ram Trucks Bolt from the Gate

On March 2 another branch of the U.S. armed forces was honored with the introduction of a special edition Built to Serve Ram 1500 pickup. Now available with a 3.0-liter V6 diesel with 260 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, this fifth installment offers a maritime force-inspired theme with both Spitfire and Bright White exterior colors offered, along with a black interior with orange accent stitching. Ram is producing 500 models in Spitfire and 750 models in Bright White.

According to the news release, Ram has been celebrating America's five land, sea and air-based armed forces with Built to Serve editions of its popular Ram 1500 half-ton pickup truck lineup. The Built to Serve Ram trucks will be available in Ram dealer showrooms beginning in the second quarter this year.

"We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our armed forces and the brave men and women who serve them. These Built to Serve models are just one way we honor those who have selflessly served our country," said Mike Koval Jr., Ram Brand Chief Executive Officer – Stellantis. "Whether civilian or military, Ram truck owners are very familiar with this adage as it's something we strive to build into every truck and van we produce." 

Each of the five U.S. military service branches have now been honored by Ram with two specially selected exterior paint colors that evoke the spirit, the mission and history of that service. One of each branch's "Built to Serve Edition" models is offered in a new low-volume paint option exclusive to this program.

Here are the paint options and quantities for each branch of the service:

• Gator (1,000 units) and Diamond Black Crystal (1,000)
• Ceramic Gray (1,000) and Patriot Blue (1,000)
• Anvil (1,250) and Billet Silver Metallic (1,500)
• Tank (1,000) and Flame Red (1,000)
• Spitfire (500) and Bright White (750)

There are a number of other unique interior and exterior features that set the five breeds apart, including a United States flag and "Built to Serve" decal on each of the rear quarter panels.

Stylish embellishments abound, including 20-inch aluminum wheels with a unique-to-the-edition Technical Gray finish. Body-color wheel flares also accent the exterior.

Each of the new Ram front ends gets a unique treatment consisting of an all-black grille and surround, black bumpers with black-bezel premium lighting. Complementing the look are black badges, black wheel-to-wheel side steps and dual four-inch black exhaust tips.

Inside, the Built to Serve Ram trucks are accented with unique, color stitching that corresponds with each branch of the military: Light Frost, Light Ambassador Blue, Light Diesel Gray, Medium Greystone or Orange.

Underneath the skin, each Ram Built to Serve edition is ready for action, loaded with 4x4 Off-Road Group content, including:

• All-terrain tires
• Electronic-locking rear axle
• Hill-descent control
• Front suspension skid plate
• Steering gear skid plate
• Fuel tank skid plate
• Transfer case skid plate
• Tow hooks
• Heavy-duty off-road-calibrated front and rear shock absorbers

Ram Built to Serve edition packages are available on all body styles and all powertrains.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 7% of the U.S. population is an active member, reserve member or veteran of the armed services.

As part of the Built to Serve initiative, Ram is bringing further attention to its volunteer initiative called Ram Nation. Ram Nation has been organizing grassroots volunteer events since 2015 and, through the launch of the Built to Serve edition trucks, is reinforcing its commitment to recognizing those who serve our nation and our communities.

Much the same way that the NFL encourages professional athletes to serve their communities Ram Nation has been recruiting individuals to donate their time and to volunteer in their own communities across the nation. It's an exemplary "leadership through service" mindset. 

In addition to activating the Ram Nation volunteer corps across the U.S., Ram is extending the invitation to all individuals, regardless of whether or not they are a Ram truck owner. To join and learn about new Ram Nation volunteer events, new members can register at www.ramtrucks.com/ram-nation.html.

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Story Source
Ram Launches Final Phase press release
Related: Two Diesel Stories About Ram Fuel Efficiency

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

Surf's Up! This EcoDiesel Is Ready to Hit the Beach

There are some people who just can't get enough of beach culture. "Surf's up!" is more than an expression. It's something that gets your heart racing. As the Beach Boys once sang, "Catch a wave and you're sitting on top of the world."

That's the spirit Jeep is trying to re-capture in their new Wrangler Islander. According to a Fox News story, it's been 11 years since Jeep last produced an Islander. This time the machine has an EcoDiesel engine, and it looks like fun.

The story, by Gary Gastelu, appeared just yesterday. The lead on this story reads, "The Jeep Wrangler Islander is ready to hit the beach."

He describes to new Islander as a beachy 4x4 that is essentially a Wrangler Sport S, all dressed up with somewhere to go: The Beach.

Sporting 17-inch wheels and rock rails from the Wrangler Rubicon, it's emblazoned with its brand name on the edge of the hood along with Surf Blue stitching on the upholstery. You can order it in a variety of colors and some islander-themed accessories. Even the choice of engine is optional, gasoline of diesel.

According to Gastelu. you can get the Islander look on the Renegade subcompact SUV, that includes white roof accents at no additional cost. The article includes pricing for these various vehicles, and also a video from last year of a diesel -powered Jeep in action.

They're selling the Islanders as a Limited Edition, though no word on how limited that limit will be.

HERE'S THE LINK for the full story:
https://www.jeep.com/limited-editions/wrangler/islander.html

SEE ALSO: Three Engine Options for the Current Jeep Wrangler, Compared