What really scares me these days is the fuel. The two years following the introduction of ULSD fuel were incredibly bad on older injection pumps. I don't even remember how many CAT 3208 pumps I sent out. The Stanadyne DB2 pumps (GM 6.2, 6.5, 5.7 and early 6.9 & 7.3 IHC engines) suffered too. One other thing that I have noticed, and anyone operating Detroits that tend to sit for some time should be aware of this, is that I have seen more fuel racks hang up. Unfortunately on a Detroit, at least with a shutdown solenoid or cable, once the engine shuts down the fuel rack sits near the full fuel position until it starts and the governor tells it that it has reached the desired speed. Bad news if something sticks. This has been especially true on engines that are not in a climate controlled environment (ie. sitting outside in Michigan through all four seasons and the changes in humidity) I don't see it much on boats but quite a bit on equipment. Anytime I have to start one that has sat through at least two seasons, I pop the valve cover and manually move the rack and check all the injectors.

I always recommend a lubricity additive for ALL diesels. If money is a problem then I will always say contact a local tranny shop and get used trans fluid. Change fuel filters often, with quality filters, and filter the trans fluid before pouring in the tank.

I have heard of old timers saying they primed new fuel filters with straight automatic tranny fluid. I wouldn't do this on a new one.... Most of the ATS would flow through the bypass and mix into the tank.

I've run my old 2-71 detroit on straight (slightly used) oil, it would bog down and loose power. I didn't pre-heat it tho and that is supposed to be the key. While it was running i switched it back to diesel and flushed it out before shutting it down, it came back and ran fine. Don't let one shut down with used oil in the fuel system whatever you do...it might not start again till it's flushed out.

Rebuilt injectors for my 2-71 were only about 60 bucks 7-8 years ago. Can't be too much worse now?