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What temperature are your Detroits running at?

Discussion in 'Engines' started by Capt J, Nov 12, 2008.

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  1. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Fort Lauderdale
    What operating temperature are other Captains seeing on their Detroit Diesels when running in gear at 600 and 800rpm's (without running at cruise first). Please state temperature, engine model (ie 8v71TI) and boat model.
  2. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Miami, FL
    mines (8V71Ns) will get to operating temp (170deg or so) at 800 RPM in gear from a cold start.
  3. Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    9114 S. Central Ave
    165 to 180

    8v71 8v71TI 12v92
  4. Seafarer

    Seafarer Senior Member

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    Location:
    Hudson River
    ~170-180 clutched in.

    8v71NA
  5. riptidecrew1939

    riptidecrew1939 New Member

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    Jun 24, 2007
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    Location:
    Port Orchard, WA
    GM 6-71 Running Temp

    I have a pair of 671's in my 53' Elco. They run between 160 - 180 at cruising speed 12 knots, 1750 rpm.
  6. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    I have manage to find a Detroit Diesel Service Manual from 1975 that gives a Normal Operating Temp Range for the engines as 160 to 185 Deg F.
  7. mariog

    mariog New Member

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    Coral Gables, Fl
    our 8-71ti's run at about 160 in gear at idle. too low a temperature for proper combustion IMHO...
  8. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Not according to published Detroit literature it aint.
  9. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I've seen a lot of Detroits run at 140 degrees at idle, some run at 160 degrees, none of the ones I've ran (1,000's of them) have made 180 degrees under 1,000 rpms. According to modern Detroit literature they recommend running at 180 degrees, and in the latter years all came with 180 degree thermostats. They also recommend oil changes at 200hrs now instead of every 100hrs.

    I too feel they run a little dirty and rich on fuel at 160 degrees. At 180 degrees they seem to burn the fuel a little better (mechanical injectors), and the DDEC two stroke motors all ran at 180 degrees and actually run very nice. The DDEC's had a lot of low end torque and ran similar to a modern cat C series across the rpm range. Unfortunately they didn't install all that many DDEC series in yachts.