Advice

[Freemanlover]

Does anyone know if it is possible to convert a ford fiesta 1.25 engine to run in a boat. I'm unsure of what is required to convert a engine to a marine use.

 

[Freebee]

have a look at lancing marine.com they sell marinising parts!!

 

[stelican]

1980s Freemans we're quite often fitted with Ford Cortinas engines
Marinised of course by Watermota of Newton Abbott

 

[TQA]

Why on earth convert a petrol engine to fit to a boat. The extra cost to find a diesel will be repaid ten fold when you come to sell.

Then there is safety insurance etc.

 

[Tranona]

Does anyone know if it is possible to convert a ford fiesta 1.25 engine to run in a boat. I'm unsure of what is required to convert a engine to a marine use.

The main things needed are a water cooled exhaust manifold, a heat exchanger to cool the water and a seawater pump to circulate seawater through the heat exchanger. Then a damper plate and bell housing to mate to a marine FNR gearbox.

The demand for marine petrol engines of this hp is just about zero so the answer is no - nobody makes the parts to do the conversion.

 

[Ferris]

Isn’t the 1.25l engine a Yamaha engine built for ford and as such was used as a base for 4stroke Yam outboards? I know the 1.4 and 1.7l engines were similarly used.

 

[rafiki_]

Isn’t the 1.25l engine a Yamaha engine built for ford and as such was used as a base for 4stroke Yam outboards? I know the 1.4 and 1.7l engines were similarly used.

Yam involved in the design, but not build.

 

[SEARANGER ANCASTER]

why would you??

 

[Assassin]

Yes it is possible and I will guarantee you will find it is at least 10 X the work you envisaged and many times the cost you envisaged and most likely you will end up with a poor installation on so many levels.

 

[Freemanlover]

The reason I asked is I have a 1950s Freeman 22mk1 and I want to keep it running on petrol as thats what was fitted when it was built and it's far more quiet than a rattly old diesel engine that I can't talk to my guests over the top of.
So those who haven't bought any helpful advice to the thread please refrain from any further comments. As for asking why would I that is my concern know one else's.

 

[markc]

So those who haven't bought any helpful advice to the thread please refrain from any further comments. As for asking why would I that is my concern know one else's.

Easy tiger!

 

[[2068]]

Just be aware that those "unhelpful comments" reflect what people might be thinking as prospective buyers if it ever comes to selling the boat.

If you want to keep the boat for ever, then that's not an issue, but if you do want to sell, then there will be a proportion of buyers that will be put off by an engine that isn't typically found in a Freeman.

 

[Chris_d]

Sure you know them already but speak to Sheridan marine https://www.sheridanmarine.com/
Experts in Freemans and have an off the shelf re-engine package for your boat.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

So those who haven't bought any helpful advice to the thread please refrain from any further comments. As for asking why would I that is my concern know one else's.

Tee-hee, you're going to get a lot out of the forum with an attitude like that...

 

[NEB]

I've no idea what's wrong with the current engine but if you need spares Sheridan Marine maybe able to help - https://www.sheridanmarine.com/bran...&utm_campaign=freeman_spares&utm_content=text

 

[NEB]

Sure you know them already but speak to Sheridan marine https://www.sheridanmarine.com/
Experts in Freemans and have an off the shelf re-engine package for your boat.

Ooops - I took too long in finding the link !

 

[Ferris]

More on https://www.freemancruisers.com/engines/new-engines (who refer to Sheridan marine).

To summarise they say that there is no suitable petrol replacement for the old Watermota's which, I presume, is why the OP is asking about marinisation of the Ford 1.25. FWIW I totally agree with the OP with respect to diesels engines in small river craft, give me a small, smooth quiet petrol in a Freeman 22 anyday.