Gardner diesel, a very brief history

A quick look at one of the most important yet overlooked engine manufacturers of the last century and some of the many machines they have powered
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[@dartskipper3170]

In WW II the Royal Navy had 72 ft Motor Launches used for harbour and coastal defence and anti submarine duties.Some of them were powered by Gardner 8L3 engines, and most of them had a 1L2 powered generator. The launches had a top speed of 12knots and saw service in home waters, the Mediterranean and Pacific.

[@jondor3433]

Excellent piece of work! I have a refurbished 6LXC that, one fine day, will be installed into a 116' x 17'6" ex black-oil tanker that spent it's working life on and around the Humber Estuary and River Ouse up to York. Can't wait to hear it burst into life....

[@waynematthews2362]

Gardner still exists, although not making engine but rather rebuilding and repairing them. Based in Canterbury Kent

[@trevordeane3940]

Did not know that, thought they had gone completely.

[@troygardner8870]

I must go. It's my family name. I'm intrigued. I'm only just finding out about these engines.

[@seanoreilly7293]

I was an apprentice at Gardeners in the mid 60's. Worked in the casting shed learning the moulding process. No doubt there are plenty still about.

[@alexanderlebaigue3954]

Nice little round up. I too went to school on Gardner (sometimes AEC) engined buses, later got to work on them. Bulletproof really doesn't do them justice.

[@alanwareham7391]

It tickles me that people rave about German diesels .many years ago my family ran a transport business and for arctics we ran Atkinson Borderers ,power by Gardner 180s and plated at 32 tons . The only time those engines went cold was a Saturday night or for a regular service because they were collecting exports in the daytime ,and running long distance of a night .Some of those trucks had done 200000 miles and never needed an ounce of work (OK the usual brakes or clutch ,but that's not the engine. ) I'm sure in Britain we could make a Foden or Atkinson again and powered by Gardner that could easily be the best truck in the world .Other people may have other ideas, but when you consider how many still run fishing boats in what must be one of the toughest environments there is ,what better reference could you ask for

[@stephencresswell4760]

Great vid. Thanks for mentioning the role of the Submarine Service at Normandy. They also acted as surface makers for the flotilla in full range of the enemy guns. A seldom mentioned story. Paxman diesels are used as emergency power on board the T class boat. At the power station we have Gardener diesels and Detroit diesels as power for fire fighting.

[@turboproductions212]

Thanks for being in the submarine service and keeping us safe from the Russians! I think the diesel electric the navy flogged to the Canadians was Paxman powered too, same engine as the inter city. The power station sounds like an absolute paradise, other than boats, and Detroits big brothers in the locomotives, i dont think ive heard one in person and the sound track is meant to be the best thing about them.

[@LadyMoonstar6601]

The boat mv regal lady has a Gardner 8l 3xb Diesel engine. Sadly she is no longer used as a pleasure boat and is moored up permanently and used as a floating museum. I hope I got the numbers correct for the model of Gardner engine she has

[@davidwolff8903]

Still the best engine in the world to ever be made.

[@trevordeane3940]

Good video about these very well designed and superbly engineered engines.

[@IrlDave71]

Another top shelf presentation. Cheers James - keep them coming.

[@Traderjoe]

Bulletproof Gardner’s! I have only seen one or two here in the US. Though I am sure that I have been in proximity to them and had been unaware of their magnificence.

[@turboproductions212]

They'll all be hidden away bellow decks or bolted to gensets, I hope this little vid did their magnificence justice!

[@snowflakemelter1172]

The demand for vintage engines for narrowboats has probably saved hundreds of these engines, in fact the two and 3 cylinder ones are becoming scarce now, though the 6 + cylinders no one wants and are cheap as chips.

[@turboproductions212]

I hope there will be another stash uncovered in an abandoned mine some day, maybe the next batch of boat engines are still hard at work now in some obscure place.

[@belchnasty]

Brilliant video. Thanks for taking the time to research and compile!

[@TheTrev1982]

I had the joy of working on a 107ft huon pine river cruiser with twin 8L3B engines for 5 years. Truly a remarkable feat of engineering. Such low fuel consumption for its output. Servicing, maintenance and rebuilding easy, although O'ring seal placement to the cooling and lubricating galleries to the heads and block were sometimes troublesome, a very solid well built and designed engine!

[@matui6983]

You listed 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 and 8 cylinders. I have a genuine Gardner parts book that shows a 7L3 Gardner crankshaft. Shame it never came about.

[@samc705]

Loving this series,I'm not any sort of gearhead but you make it funny James and that's what counts.

[@turboproductions212]

Thanks man, I'm glad you are enjoying it, not sure how much I'll do once I'm back in the shed but I'm having fun and getting a bit more practice editing and talking to the camera without tripping over my words!

[@samc705]

Always a bonus mate.

[@pradolover]

Fantistic thanks Turbo hope the hand is getting better

[@turboproductions212]

glad you enjoyed it, and yes, it is healing up nicely thanks

[@Thefreakyfreek]

Just bought a boat garner 6lw in it and cant wait to start it up I'm 24 boat is 100 years old and engine produced under license by kromhout in possibly 1925 so not much years in between

[@benspeedschannel888]

Excellent video once again dude 😎

[@turboproductions212]

Thank you mate

[@johngreco7171]

Very nice looking engine, but I'm particularly intrigued by those midget submarines. Covertly swimming in to shore from one during the night would be one hell of a job.

[@turboproductions212]

The idea was they would be towed to their destination by other subs then cast off to go and conduct their businesses, for the Turpitz raid they were towed a couple of hundred miles by trawlers with a couple of tons of explosives strapped to them, they had air locks, and crewmen swam out with hydraulic cable cutters for getting through torpedo nets and these blokes were expected to motor on through the whole operation with no sleep, just amphetamines and the smell of each others farts to keep them going, can only imagine things would have been a lot worse on D day without the effort of these men.

[@garypeatling7927]

Did really smoke like other deisel of time got life boat here in Ireland 2 in it, 6 cylinder so smooth and start on idle

[@filmclipuk]

lol @ Gardner-powered candy floss 😂 🎉 7:05

[@andyb9555]

You went to school in the early 90's....sound a like you've had a hard life. Cheers for the video 👍

[@jayamd3579]

there still alive and thumping today, go to any classic bus rally and take your pick, if you want to ride on daddy of all Gardner's the 6lxb then "Dekkabus" a coach company down Dorset still run a Bristol lowdekka with a 6lxb :D

[@wamgoc3637]

I'd like to have an old English car with a Gardner engine. They look like a steampunk version of an Offenhauser to me.

[@alexanderlebaigue3954]

Search for Gardner powered Land rover, it's either a 4LK or 4LW

[@haraldpettersen3649]

This is a Great Video 🧐

[@millomweb]

Have you done a similar vid on Meadows' engines ? If not.... Please ?

[@koos48]

Thanks so much for this fabulous video. I used to own a tug with a Gardner 6LX, which in my country was often referred to as a Kromhout Gardner, because this Dutch manufacturer had a license to build them. These engines, too, were sold to Arab countries. Often in those cases the Kromhout cover was replaced by its Gardner counterpart. Google "Kromhout Gardner" images and you'll see.

[@turboproductions212]

I had no idea, I spent ages trawling Google and missed the kromhout engines, thank you my friend!

[@truethought369]

Excellent engines, also, making universal arts, that can be used in a wide range of engines is a good use of, 'no so, common sense! Last for ever.

[@mikegardner2376]

Will have to buy a generator on trip abroad 60 cycle of course.

[@vinniesdayoff3968]

How about outboard engines Turbo? How goes the healing process?

[@turboproductions212]

a gardner powered outboard? id need arms like your's to lift it on and off the boat! finger is doing nicely thank you my friend.

[@vinniesdayoff3968]

@@turboproductions212 No, I mean a video about outboards in general. I'm only a decrepit old man, it would take a young blood like you to lift a Gardener!

[@turboproductions212]

Hate the things Vinnie, although id happily give canoe racing a go kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXyydWmrm5yjqtU

[@xDrDeath78x]

Quality bro

[@izaakgray1718]

Geeza.

[@Draxindustries1]

Long lasting robust engines but very low on power /torque

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

you should do a video on how important amphetamines have been in the events of history next!

[@turboproductions212]

Ha, that sounds like a question for ask Reddit, I do wonder how much the modern military relies on it, they probably have something better that we are not allowed to know about.

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

remote control via gamma rays man, subversive hypnosis subconsciously indoctrinated into our brains via usage of social media maaaaaan! legit though it's probably some hypnosis based thing that uses behavioural conditioning, drugs are too 20th century.

[@turboproductions212]

Yes mate, lindybeige did an excellent vid on conditioning soldiers to kill, didn't mention uppers, downers, crack or smack once either.

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

do like that channel in general, but that video was very good indeed.

[@turboproductions212]

Really interesting what he was saying about most VC winners being elder brothers who carried out their acts of selfless bravery because of love and the need to protect their brothers, it makes them even more special.

[@ChefEarthenware]

Love your videos, but would it be possible to please drink your tea before or after - not during.

[@edm8906]

👌👍

[@johngreco7171]

awwww yisss, first

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

👍 👍

[@hrxy1]

Ffs learn to speak prooperly, stop ssmacking yr lips

[@turboproductions212]

So glad you enjoyed it