Engine installation angle

[cindersailor]

I am in the process of measuring up for a new diesel engine. The engine beds and stern tube have a forward/aft angle of 14 degrees. This is close to the max of 15 degrees recommended by Yanmar and Beta, and presumably other engine manufacturers. A down-angle gearbox will add considerably to the cost. What is the experience of others on this, has anyone installed an engine close to the max recommended without problems? I assume that the problem with high installation angles is the potential for the oil level in the sump to uncover the oil take-up pipe, or are there other problems? I would be grateful for guidance on this.

 

[DaveW]

If your engine beds and sterntube are the same angle 14 deg. then to fit a down angle g'box would mean you have to fit tapered packers at 7 deg for a Beta 722 engine under the engine mounts. Down anngle g'box is about £380 extra.
I'd seek advice from the manufactures.

 

[stevebirch2002]

Fitted lots of Betas into Vegas and they have a down-angle of 12 degrees with no problems.

 

[capt_courageous]

Before I knew about these things I wrecked an engine by motoring at to big an angle of heel. Oil starvation as you say. Most boats pitch a lot less than they roll but I guess the same can happen if you are pitching a lot and the installation angle is close to the max of 15 degs. As Dave says I should give Beta a call.

 

[cindersailor]

Thanks for your comments Dave. Changing the angle of the bearers to accommodate a down-angle gearbox is not a problem as I will be attaching angle iron to them to mount the new engine, the original bearers being too wide. Beta say that 14 degrees is within spec. but the more level the engine the better. Since I am so close to the max angle I was looking to find someone else who has fitted an engine in the same situation without problems. This would then give me some confidence that all should be OK for that particular engine.

 

[Roach1948]

Have you considered fitting an Aquadrive? This is what I did on a self-installed Beta 10 - the bearers are now flat and the Aquadrive deals with the angle perfectly. Also easier for an amatuer to line-up to shaft.

 

[jerryat]

Don't know about anyone else, but this fore and aft angle thing really baffles me. After all, these are marine engines, and I've yet to see ANY of 'em fitted dead level, excluding the angle-gearbox types.

Propshafts have to go through the hull at an angle and the engine manufacturers must know this surely, so why aren't the units designed with the oil pick-up inside the sump at the aft end? It has long been so in the Bukh range (like what I 'ave /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) so why not the rest?

Praps it's because it's so many 'marine' engines are basically car/truck/dumper engines, designed to run virtually level.

Anyone got any other thoughts?

 

[capt_courageous]

The Bukh 24 has a max fore and aft of 12 degs which is less than the Beta at 15 degs but it does much better in heel with up to 25 degs continuous.

 

[Ric]

If I were installiing a new drive to any sailing boat, I would install a diesel-electric system. They are now available off the shelf from Fischer-Panda, and they are the business. For a start, you won't have to worry about your shaft angles etc - just mount the generator anywhere in the boat that it suits you (but best low and central), then mount the (tiny) electric motor in line with your existing shaft. But then add to that the fact that the electric motor turns in complete silence, and that when you do need to run the generator it makes virtually no noise or vibration as it is in fully damped sound-proof box, and then that you have 240v available on your boat, and that when sailing the prop turns the electric motor recharging the batteries...

I would dearly like my Volvo to blow up so I could get a DE system on the insurance!!!