Basically.... ether, kerosene and a decent lubricant plus just a couple of % of ignition improver will give you the basic ingrediaents for a model diesel fuel. There is no "black magic" involved, the main U.K supplier of model fuels even puts the percentages used in their mix on their website.
Check out modeltechnics.co.uk to see the percentages used.
I couldn't agree with you more!
WARNING.....the follow is my opinion and you may be shocked to know about it. Futhermore, it is not intended to insult, defame or put-down anyone.
I believe what Slope-soarer just said.......that there isn't any "black magic" to the fuel problem! In fact, in my opinion.....the FUEL isn't the problem. Based on info you've all put in this forum.....you've been able to run diesels on ALL different kinds of fuels/blends? Some were harder than others.......some were easier. That means that the fuel works......but, there is something else missing. Right?!
A little about me.......33yrs old and grew up in a family-based, agricultural potato process operation. "Hanged" around the shop ALL the time.....as it was close to the office(where my mother could observe me). I've been around tractors, trucks(big and small), ATVs, skid steer loaders, forklifts, harvesters, planters, irrigation motors/engines, company pickups.....I even raced competitively in high school with a 5.0 mustang(which I did all the tweaks). All power types I've been exposed to.....electric, propane, gasoline, diesel, kerosine and more. Went to Auto Tech school......I am now an ASE Certified Master Technician......spent 8 years in the Honda/Ford dealership experience and another 10 years in my own NAPA Auto/Diesel Care facility before I sold it to start something different.
Now you know my experience.......but that does NOT make me an expert.....but I believe I might know the key which you seek. Or at least some it. What do we know about diesels in the "real" world? They are 4 stroke. Does that mean 2 cycles can NOT be diesel? Not at all. I have NOT had hands-on wrenching experience with 2 stroke diesels.....but I've seen a couple. They are strong, very efficient and can give you the RPMs expected of a 2 cycle. Not the typical slow-turning 4 cycles we see dominating the roads today. But,.....what are we missing on the model diesels that IS a part of every "real" world diesel(that I've seen/experienced). Anybody?
High Pressure injection! I believe that proper fuel atomization is what you SHOULD be looking for. The US Army M1A Abrams tank can run on about any fuel in the world. But, when set up to run in "diesel" mode.......it'll run on anything "oily". Didn't someone mention earlier that the started their engine with WD40? Using an aerosol can as an "injector" and sprayed the "perfect, atomized" mixture at the right amount down the carb.....then they turned the motor over which had good compression and perfect heat......viola! BANG!!! I've seen some REALLY old irrigation motors up in the high-reaches of the sandhills that have been there a LONG time with crude, simple setups. They run on ANYTHING oily. However, you MUST keep the fuel clean! Of course, good fuel is better......but, if you atomize it properly, and squeeze it with some warm air. BANG! Diesel baby!