All that work to restore it and get it started, only to have it go up in smoke in seconds

and where does Detroit come in to play? this could be any where in the state of country

I's not the city, it's the model of the engine.
You could have at least search for "Detroit 4-71" in Google and clicked the first link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Diesel_Series_71

HAHAH! Wisdom and experience....

You see the kids run away, while the old man just "handled business".

By the way #3... Way to look like an idiot on the internet.

This is an old GMC truck that has a Detroit Diesel (brand name) 4-71 two stroke diesel engine in it. 4-71 stands for
4 cylinders with 71 cubic inches per cylinder = 284 cu.in. displacement.
The only way to shut down a diesel engine that is "running away" is to shut off its air supply with a pillow or large towel.
When a diesel runs away it will start sucking-up its own crankcase oil to run on, so shutting off the air supply is
about the only option. On some large diesels I have even seen a large co2 fire extinguisher discharged into
the intake to shut it down. This damages the engine but not as bad as letting it blow up.

Why would they use a tiny rag to attempt to choke an engine this big? At least have a restrictor plate or something like that ready... not a wood bar

#6 Maybe they thought they were too young to die that day