Urba Centurion Update - (Kubota diesel, 100+ MPG in mixed driving - Fall 2012 on)

[changzuki]

The original Centurion has a pulse!
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I think we can save her!
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~CrazyJerry~
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgkk...ature=youtu.be

[changzuki]

In spite of sitting outside for decades, the original Centurion's little Kubota 750bb diesel engine runs as good as a swiss watch!
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~CrazyJerry~
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhCW...ature=youtu.be

[redneck]

.

Swiss watch...???

Isn't Kubota Japanese...???

How about, Seiko... ???



>

[changzuki]

Originally Posted by redneck

.

Swiss watch...???

Isn't Kubota Japanese...???

How about, Seiko... ???



>

Ok - you are correct! My "watch literacy" isn't very good.. Come to think of it, the only watch I have is a really old Vulcain Cricket! And... It might be of swiss origin.
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~CrazyJerry~

[ellenor2000]

If I tried to replicate this over a compact 4x4 pickup frame, with a 1250cc turbo Diesel, a truly power-robbing transfer case (or maybe a locking centre diff, who knows) and a five on the floor manual, would I have the "offroad police interceptor" version of Centurion?

I know, it wouldn't be Centurion if it couldn't pull off 100mpg, but would it still earn "honorary Centurion" naming if it got more than 30km/l (74mi/USgal) in mixed driving on WVO with a DCN of something awful like the bare minimum 40?

And would it still be Centurion if it was designed to be relatively comfortable, even if mileage was >42km/L?

In any case, if I was trying to replicate it I'd probably call it the Umbrellix Speed Demon rather than the Centurion (Umbrellix being the name of my IRC network and website...).

At this point I'm just fantasising. Got more time than money and haven't gotten my N plate yet.

[changzuki]

Originally Posted by ellenor2000

If I tried to replicate this over a compact 4x4 pickup frame, with a 1250cc turbo Diesel, a truly power-robbing transfer case (or maybe a locking centre diff, who knows) and a five on the floor manual, would I have the "offroad police interceptor" version of Centurion?

I know, it wouldn't be Centurion if it couldn't pull off 100mpg, but would it still earn "honorary Centurion" naming if it got more than 30km/l (74mi/USgal) in mixed driving on WVO with a DCN of something awful like the bare minimum 40?

And would it still be Centurion if it was designed to be relatively comfortable, even if mileage was >42km/L?

In any case, if I was trying to replicate it I'd probably call it the Umbrellix Speed Demon rather than the Centurion (Umbrellix being the name of my IRC network and website...).

At this point I'm just fantasising. Got more time than money and haven't gotten my N plate yet.

ellenor2000,
If you do your project, please do a thread on it!!
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~CrazyJerry~

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by changzuki

In spite of sitting outside for decades, the original Centurion's little Kubota 750bb diesel engine runs as good as a swiss watch!

How much "winding" did it take to get it ticking again?

[changzuki]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

How much "winding" did it take to get it ticking again?

Well, it did take a bit of "winding" as you say. One of the more notable moments was exploring the cooling system. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts at draining the block, air pressure was used to blow it "up" (see video below)... It's been a delicate and interesting experience with the original Centurion!
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~CrazyJerry~
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nws...ature=youtu.be

[elhigh]

Oooohhhh....the goo coming out was orange...

That isn't Toyota coolant, is it? That was water when it went in, wasn't it?

[Stubby79]

Originally Posted by elhigh

Oooohhhh....the goo coming out was orange...

That isn't Toyota coolant, is it? That was water when it went in, wasn't it?

Probably rust, since it's an iron block and been sitting for years.