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Comment by msandford | Hacker News Reader

I feel like they could probably buy some 80s Mercedes 300d and get newer cars with lots of parts available as there's junked ones everywhere.

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I would argue the 6.2L/6.5L Detroit Diesel is a superior choice in North America, which is the engine used in the article.

The 5.9L 12-valve Cummins is also a fine choice. Another fully mechanical engine. In theory, with a manual transmission, you can operate a vehicle without even a battery after it's started.

Well, almost. The 5.9L fails safe: there is a fuel shutoff solenoid which operates in reverse: you give it power to keep the fuel flowing. You’d need to modify it to force the solenoid open (or remove it).

The OM617 (as used in many 1980’s Mercedes sedans) fuel shutoff operated on vacuum, and once started, the engine would run with no electrical system at all.

But the ECM?

What ECM? They're mechanically injected diesels. The main purpose of the electrical system is to run the starter to crank the engine. And maybe headlights and stuff.

They're very simple cars.

Yep to parent poster look at the fascinating mechanical fuel pumps in some detail they are incredible machines in their own right

Direct injected gasoline engines have a high pressure fuel pump (in addition to the electrical low pressure) mechanically powered by the crank

My Diesel has an analog glow plug controller. That's literally the most complicated electronics in the whole car.

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