Quote:
Originally Posted by Seeker
Will the new ones have reverse gears?
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Yes. Like the old engines, the new engines only go in one direction. However the new gearboxes, which connect each engine to a drive shaft, can be put in reverse while the engines are running. With the old gearboxes it took as long as 30 seconds to stop one/both engines, switch gears, and restart the engines.
As a side note, the new engines are much lighter than the old engines. Ballast will be added to the bilge to assist in stability.
Updated 03-MAR-10. After posting the above I was corrected. I had no idea that diesel engines could run backward. In doing some online research, reversing a bi-directional diesel engine is accomplished by shifting the gears on the cam shaft so that the valves open/close at a different time than when running forward. This requires bringing the engine to a complete stop before shifting the cam shaft. The diesel in my VW does not have this option, but then again, I can shift to reverse without stopping the engine.
02-17-2010, 08:41 AM
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