Diesel engine differences

[lumphammer]

I'm hoping to re-engine my Moody 36 (79) to replace the original Thornycroft T90.
There seems to be a wide variety of choice, and if you believe the salesmen then each one is perfect for me.

What factors would the forum use to differentiate between opposing claims, or is it just down to picking one at random?

 

[Jcorstorphine]

Why not go for a recon BMC 1.5

Why not go for a reconditioned BMC 1.5 (Thornycroft T90) from Calcutt Boats

http://www.calcuttboats.com/engines.html

Would be a direct refit, same propeller, same controls, same fuel line, same exhaust, same engine bearers.

Complete recon engines and new gearboxes from £3,500 to £4,000 including VAT.

OK its an old design of engine but they were reliable (the one in my old boat is still going strong having been built in 1971 and spent the first 10 years in a Van before I converted it)

Alternative is a Beta at £6K plus at least £2 to £3K to get it fitted with all the bits and bobs required.

 

[pjssailor]

I like most of them

Hello.

You are right to be more than a little suspicious. I have met very few sailsmen who gotten their fingernails dirty doing the work. I would start talking to any machanics who will talk to you and have some real experience repowering. The problem tends to me the task of installation not the quality of the machinery.

I have found that amost all modern producion stuff if really pretty good and will last far longer than I can remember what it cost. I aways look at a good local business. Do they really have a shop that is handy to help with the installation. YOu might get each of these people to give you 2 prices. Do it yourself installation and they do it. Might give you an idea of what they are not telling you. I replaced a 25 year old Yanmar 3 cyl with a current producton 3 cylinder Yanmar in 2006 in a 1984 Catalac 10 meter. It was just about set straight in but I did have to pull the intake manifold off the new engine to get it in and then spend a couple of days making things fit. So I would take my time figuring out what all has to be worked around to make it all fit. That seems to me to be the biggest problem.

Lots of luck. pjssailor

 

[William_H]

Replacing engine

Yes a lot less cost and problems to replace with same type of engine. But then why not overhaul or repair what you have? But then perhaps you don't like the engine for some reason.
In which case the Kubota tractor engine variations seem hard to beat. Beta etc. good lcuk olewill

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Like the others have said, I suggest that you look into overhauling your existing engine or straight swap for a reconditioned. Less hassle with controls, prop shaft, propeller, electrics, cooling, exhaust, engine location, etc.

For a different make new engine you will have little change from £10K.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

I'm hoping to re-engine my Moody 36 (79) to replace the original Thornycroft T90.
There seems to be a wide variety of choice, and if you believe the salesmen then each one is perfect for me.

What factors would the forum use to differentiate between opposing claims, or is it just down to picking one at random?

Mostly picking one at random. The days when there were huge differences in reliability and quality between (say) a Merc at one end and a Petter at the other are long gone. The basic engine will be much the same quality wherever you go just as all cars now do 6 figure mileages without problem.

Concentrate on the marinisation bits cos thats where the small cowboy outfit will cut corners. Even there many of the bits used are standard.

 

[lumphammer]

Mostly picking one at random. The days when there were huge differences in reliability and quality between (say) a Merc at one end and a Petter at the other are long gone. The basic engine will be much the same quality wherever you go just as all cars now do 6 figure mileages without problem.

Concentrate on the marinisation bits cos thats where the small cowboy outfit will cut corners. Even there many of the bits used are standard.

Thanks, that's mostly what I thought.

My main reason for changing the engine is that we are planning on leaving the country and heading south for as long as we can stand it, so I'm definitely looking for reliability, also I find the T90 a bit underpowered for our old tub when bucking a headwind.

To re-phrase my question I more interested in what made us choose one engine over another when all are very similar when it comes down to the specification.

 

[GrahamM376]

Thanks, that's mostly what I thought.

My main reason for changing the engine is that we are planning on leaving the country and heading south for as long as we can stand it, so I'm definitely looking for reliability, also I find the T90 a bit underpowered for our old tub when bucking a headwind.

To re-phrase my question I more interested in what made us choose one engine over another when all are very similar when it comes down to the specification.

Later Moody boats went over to Mitsubishi K4D (Thornycroft 80D) 35HP engines, which have proved reliable over the years. Last year I re-engined our M376 with a Thornyccroft T105 based on the Mitsubishi S4L rated at 42 HP and changed from 2 blade fixed to 3 blade Featherstream prop. The extra power + prop make a big difference in performance when pushing into wind and chop. Although larger capacity, the new engine fitted exactly the same footprint as the old, all 8 mounting bolts just dropped into the existing holes!