Diesel-News – Upcoming Events, Ford Cancels Super Duty Orders and more
Trick Of The Week
April Fools, 2022 Was Epic
Last week ushered in the month of April, and with it April 1st…and with that all the pranksters were out in droves. Not only did Firepunk Diesel serve up the ultimate April fool’s joke, but Ben Shadday’s Pro Mod Corvette was photoshopped with a blown Duramax under the hood. In the former scenario, the guys at Firepunk titled their latest YouTube video “The Quad Cab Can’t Handle 3,000HP!!!.” So naturally, 9,300 viewers immediately tuned in. Once there however, Firepunk’s Lyn Miller treated his audience to a detailed breakdown as to why Barq’s root beer is better than all others. The Ben Shadday/blown Duramax mix-up was easier to spot ahead of time, but it still got quite a few folks talking on the interwebs.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHngAhfr0Eo
Highlights
All The Nitrous
What is Logan Yelton up to? While on the surface this photo indicates an intention to send his Scheid-built 12-valve Cummins into orbit, he has assured everyone that he intends to take “baby steps” in adding N2O to his P-pumped first-gen. And baby steps it will likely be, being as the engine’s big single isn’t wastegated yet. This may be the next step in Logan’s training for the 5.90 Index class, or preparation for a return visit to World Cup to run the True Street class once more. In the words of Logan himself: “Fuel only is so 2012.”
Source: https://www.getloganbuilt.com/
Turbodiesel Go-Kart?
So what did you do during the pandemic? This one is an oldie but a goodie, built during the early months of Covid-19 (remember, back when we were all going to die…) by Warped Perceptions. The ground-up go-kart build revolves around the use of a single cylinder Kohler diesel power plant, which of course was fitted with a turbocharger. Later on, and because the original CVT torque converter would only allow for a top speed of 35 mph (only 3,700 rpm), they machined a new sprocket to give the kart a more usable drive gear ratio—along with switching to a 40-series torque converter. Result? They squeaked another 10-mph out of the kart with a top speed of 45 mph!
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFSPr47f1pw
Another One Gone Way Too Soon
On March 19, 2022, owner of Tri County Diesel, Thomas Hughes (best known as TJ), lost his life in a vehicle accident. The Godfrey, Illinois shop owner is remembered for his wizardry of diesel engines, especially Cummins, a quick wit, and an outgoing personality that never made you a stranger in his presence. Like so many success stories in the diesel industry, Hughes built his business from the ground-up. It all started in his home garage, but through hard work, long nights, and a growing customer base expanded to a larger location just a few short years later. Hughes’ knowledge, easy-going nature, and presence at events will be greatly missed.
Source: https://tcdperformance.com/
Events
Golden State Diesel Fest – Sacramento
This Saturday in Sacramento California the Golden State Diesel Fest returns to Sacramento Raceway Park. Holeshot Series Drags, Dyno competition (big prize for the highest HP too) and a 300+ truck Show N Shine is on the docket for the day. This event, now in it’s second year is the premier diesel event for the western US. If you can’t be there, make sure to check out our stream from the event on our Facebook page, presented by Shell Rotella with huge thanks to BD Diesel, KT Performance; Pacific Performance Engineering, Blud Lubricants and Turbo Time USA.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/events/636067111158973
Is The Traveling Mechanic The Best Path For Young Diesel Mechanics?
DW-DIESELNEWS-05
With a decade of experience wrenching on diesels and diagnosing their various issues, central Connecticut youngster, Mike Satkowski, started his own business in April. But it’s not your typical brick and mortar establishment. Instead of you bringing your problems to him, he comes to you to solve your diesel’s problem. As a traveling diesel mechanic, “Mobile Mechanic Mike” is able to keep his overhead low and his availability high. If your equipment is stuck on the side of the road or out in the field, he can come to you. It’s a genius way for a young, knowledgeable diesel mechanic to become an entrepreneur and we wish him all the best.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/Mobile-Mechanic-Mike-LLC-108263791813104/
OEM News
Ford (Temporarily) Stops Receiving Orders For Super Duty’s
You serious, Clark? Bad news from Ford, or is it? On April 1 (no joke), Ford is rumored to have stopped production of all 2022 model year F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 trucks. Is this simply the end of the ’22 production run? Through the grapevine we’re told 2023 orders will not resume until later this year. Straight from the horse’s mouth (a Kentucky Truck Plant employee), the chip shortage has reared its ugly head once more in all of this. But on top of that, Ford’s order bank now sits at over 280,000 vehicles vs. a typical year of 100,000. That’s huge. In order to not keep customers waiting from now into eternity, this move might turn out to be a smart move for Ford.
Emissions
CARB Cancels Long-Discussed Zero Emission Regulations For Passenger Boats
After recognizing that California’s overly-stringent commercial passenger vessel industry regulations were going to cause “significant economic harm to small business owners,” CARB amended an alternative emissions plan on March 24. The new plan represents a “more realistically achievable compliance schedule” and will call for boats to be re-powered with lower emission engines as the technology to make it possible becomes available. The amendment also recognized that the latter scenario was already unfolding, with vessel owners gradually converting to cleaner engines as it became feasible (and safe) for them to do so. This is a big win for Californians, as the original regulation as written would’ve rendered thousands of commercial passenger fishing vessels illegal for service beginning in 2023.
