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Locomotive lube oil-consumption

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  • Member since
    April 2008
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Locomotive lube oil-consumption
Posted by Jerry Pier on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 8:49 AM

Twenty years ago or so a Fairbanks-Morse guy gave me a method of predicting oil passing related to cylinder circumference as I recall. I have forgotten it and have been unable to dig anything out of my old records. In that locomotives carry 300 gallons of lube oil (or more?) it is likely a significant volume. F-M engines were 4 stroke cycle, if memory serves me, but I suspect oil passing would be similar for 2 stroke cycle engines.

Any help will be much appreciated.

JERRY PIER
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Posted by Last Chance on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 8:56 AM

You may find better information with World War Two Submarines, Liberty Ship engineering online.

Those were FM engines that otherwise might have been used for the railroads. There may be more precise oil data that you seek.

I dont know about LUBE oil in desiels. You had engine oil probably we are talking about the same thing anyhoo.

It would bear for interesting thinking how FM was able to adequately keep the entire crankcase in oil with the opposing cylinders versus a more normal V style engine that we are familiar with today.

The old two cycle engines were more for stationary work and carried a oil reservoir above the cylinder that needed to be filled from time to time. They ran more of a spin-cough-spin -cough with much sloshing of that oil.

4 Cycle engines were contained. I think it was possible for engine men to access a cylinder from time to time while out on the road.

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Posted by beaulieu on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 9:35 AM

 The FM engines used as propulsion power in naval ships and in locomotives, were 2-stroke cycle diesels.

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Posted by Kootenay Central on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 4:32 PM

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