Diesel Engine Acadia AD30

[Lou_tribal]

Hello,
I own a custom made trawler powered by a 6cyl straight diesel engine.
The brand of the engine is Acadia, model AD30.
This brand was an engine manufacturer from nova scotia that was building engine for fishing boat for what I found out about it. This manufacturer is long gone now (around 70s I think). The engine has been totally rebuilt when my boat has been built in 1994 and it is working like a charm, almost starting before I turn the key and turns like a swiss clock. It is purely old mechanic with no electronic on it.
I would like to know if anybody would have any information more than what I have about this engine or the manufacturer.

Thank you!

 

[Jeff F]

Huh. I grew up in Nova Scotia and remember seeing some old Acadia gas motors. Didn't realize they made diesels. They made the make and break motor for years - from the 1920s?

 

[Ski in NC]

Post some photos of the engine. There is a chance that Acadia bought an engine from someone else and put the marine kit on it. With photos might recognize it.

 

[Lou_tribal]

Post some photos of the engine. There is a chance that Acadia bought an engine from someone else and put the marine kit on it. With photos might recognize it.

I will go to my boat coming weekend and will take some pics that I will post here. Thank you all!

 

[Lou_tribal]

Finally I got some picture of my engine.
If anybody has any knowledge on it, or think it is a rebranded engine or whatever, please let me know.

Thank you!

 

[Ski in NC]

Hercules D298.

 

[Lou_tribal]

Ski, can you tell me more to satisfy my unlimited curiosity?
You look like knowing a lot about diesel engine!
What makes you find out that this one is an Hercule D298???

 

[Ski in NC]

It looked like a Hercules. Googled "hercules diesel engine" and there are lots of photos. Found a D298 and it's photo looked the same as yours, minus the marine manifold. On the side of the block you might find the mfr tag to confirm.

 

[Lou_tribal]

Indeed I did the same and found a picture of an engine that looked almost the same as mine minus some details. The description of the engine also matches.
I must thank you a million times for this information
Now I will try to find as much info as possible about these.

If anybody has knowledge about these engine please tell me!

Thanks again Ski, you are my hero for today!

 

[Jeff F]

Just in case you're looking for a spare!

Moteur de bateau Acadia diésel,
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-remorque-bat...sie/moteur-de-bateau-acadia-diesel/1111693195

 

[Lou_tribal]

Thank you for the link Jeff!
What id funny is that the engine is the same but the configuration is not exactly the same as mine. For example on mine the tank on the upper right (cooling fluid tank if I base on my own engine) is not there on mine as I have fresh water cooling. Looks likes this one was not in a boat.
With some research and a very valuable help from Ski in NC I found out that the acadia AD30 is based on Hercules engine which was used in military US trucks. There are different configurations of this engine and it was used to run trucks, water pump or generators for troups. For what I found it is a beast that is supposed to run forever on anything that could be burned. I found people that were able to run it using old used engine oil! ( yes I know not environmental friendly).
If anybody is interested I found the owner manual which can be helpful.
I just hope this baby will live longer than me as it looks like a piece of history.

 

[Lepke]

These engines were used in military trucks and some tractors. Also used in farm and industrial power applications such as running generators and pumps. Farm, industrial and surplus dealers are a good place to look for parts. Also ebay.

 

[Jeff F]

Just saw another one at a Dalhousie Lab going to tender. Be a good motor for someone. Looks like original marine version.

https://www.dal.ca/dept/procurement/surplus-materials/current-items.html

 

[Lou_tribal]

Just saw another one at a Dalhousie Lab going to tender. Be a good motor for someone. Looks like original marine version.

https://www.dal.ca/dept/procurement/surplus-materials/current-items.html

Thank you very much Jeff!
This model is a AD20, the 4 cyl. version. Mine is exactly the same but 6Cyl. version. It is funny to see how much similar they look like. The exhaust manifold is exactly the same but longer on mine for the 6 cyl.
I wish I was living in Halifax, for 500$ the entry bid I would certainly have bought it!

Again, thank you!

L.

 

[Lou_tribal]

Finally I got some luck.
I contacted Gary Brownsberger at Hercules Manufacturing company (from what I read on their website it is a fork from what was remnant of the original manufacturer where some employees from the original manufacter are still working) and he pointed me where to find S/N on the block.
Sending him the S/N he confirmed me that the base engine (the non marinized version) is an Hercules D3000.
At least now I know what to search for if I need any replacement part.

L

 

[RT Firefly]

 

[Lou_tribal]

LOL Yeah, strong like Hercules lol

L

 

[Lou_tribal]

I found a reference to my engine (or its brother) on a website showing collections from Nova Scotia museums.

http://www.novamuse.ca/Detail/objects/186702#

First ever seen picture:

http://www.novamuse.ca/media/novast...object_representations_media_125864_large.jpg

Funny this date back older than I thought, picture is from 1930!

Also it is mentioned as a Acadia Walkershaw engine. Anybody would know what (or who) walkershaw was?

L

 

[Island Cessna]

Also it is mentioned as a Acadia Walkershaw engine. Anybody would know what (or who) walkershaw was?

L

Waukesha were an industrial engine manufacturer, no doubt the Acadia in the photo is a marinized Waukesha.

 

[FF]

"I found people that were able to run it using old used engine oil! ( yes I know not environmental friendly)."

Detroit at least prohibits this as it is not good for the engine.

With such a rare engine I would be on the lookout for a second engine as a parts source.



Military surplus sites ?

 

[Lou_tribal]

"I found people that were able to run it using old used engine oil! ( yes I know not environmental friendly)."

Detroit at least prohibits this as it is not good for the engine.

With such a rare engine I would be on the lookout for a second engine as a parts source.



Military surplus sites ?

For what I found out this engine is based on a Hercules engine bloc and I found 2 vendors in US that still have some parts in stock.
The only part that would worry me is the exhaust manifold as it is specific to that marinized version, but still I guess you can get one custom made.

Still I wish I could meet an old salty dog from Nova Scotia who would tell me "hey I know your engine I had one 50 years ago!"

L