Engine replacement curiosity....

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yachtorion

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I seem to have been really lucky with the engine in my Horizon - but I expected not to be and looked into alternatives.

The most common thing (on this forums at least) to do with an old Yanmar 1GM10 that has seen better days seems to be to put in a Beta or Nanni instead. These are definitely fine engines, but the quote I got was the same or a bit more than just getting a brand new 1GM10 which would slot straight on to the mounts and shaft vacated by the last.

So my question is this.... why do people go to the hassle of measuring up and replacing / re-working / getting custom made engine mounts in order to put in a Beta or Nanni when they could for the same money put in a new Yanmar with no hassle... or a good recon for a fraction?

The Yanmar seems to be a simple to work on and cracking little engine and Yanmar seem to have a good reputation for reliability or at least as good as Beta and Nanni... what am I missing?

the only thing I can think of is perhaps people really don't want raw water cooled engines? At 25 years or so old the engine in my boat doesn't seem to have suffered from it?
 
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yachtailsa said:
I seem to have been really lucky with the engine in my Horizon - but I expected not to be and looked into alternatives.

The most common thing (on this forums at least) to do with an old Yanmar 1GM10 that has seen better days seems to be to put in a Beta or Nanni instead. These are definitely fine engines, but the quote I got was the same or a bit more than just getting a brand new 1GM10 which would slot straight on to the mounts and shaft vacated by the last.

So my question is this.... why do people go to the hassle of measuring up and replacing / re-working / getting custom made engine mounts in order to put in a Beta or Nanni when they could for the same money put in a new Yanmar with no hassle... or a good recon for a fraction?

The Yanmar seems to be a simple to work on and cracking little engine and Yanmar seem to have a good reputation for reliability or at least as good as Beta and Nanni... what am I missing?

the only thing I can think of is perhaps people really don't want raw water cooled engines? At 25 years or so old the engine in my boat doesn't seem to have suffered from it?
Click to expand...

The only reason I can think of is that owners may want to go for a small twin-cylinder engine rather than the 1GM that is only a single cylinder as the 1GM can be a bit of a "thumper" at low RPM - that said it's a good little engine!.

If you want a twin then the smallest Yanmar is probably more expensive than the equivalent Beta or Nanni.
 
Having recently done this - replaced a 1GM with a Nanni 14 can say it is nothing like as difficult as you suggest. It is as close to a direct replacement as is physically possible. Virtually the same length, width and height, but a bit bulkier at the rear top, same distance part for the mounts, but a bit longer base and the beds need raising by 20mm by adding a spacer. Exhaust is on the other side and you need an adaptor to match the diameter of the outlet plus a 3/4" water inlet rather than 1/2". If you choose your reduction ratio correctly you can probably use the same prop.

Result is freshwater cooled, much quieter and smoother. Not worth doing if your Yanmar is in good nick, but for many boats it is marginal on power (as with my boat) and when it does get worn or suffers from the well known cylinder head and water in the cylinder problems it can be very expensive to rebuild.
 
Looks like the thing I'm missing is noise then. Oddly it seems I love the sound the little Yanmar makes :) Just sounds like a marine engine should to me!
 
I understand that Nanni and Beta engines are based on a common industrial engine - possibly Kubota - so spares are a good deal cheaper than Yanmar. Also Nanni and Beta are twin cylinder, i don't think they do a single, so are considered smoother. It is a matter of balancing the extra up-front costs of installing a different layout against the on-going costs of expensive spares.
 
(1) Fresh-water cooled
(2) Much smoother
(3) Much quieter
(4) Kubota spares are much cheaper and are widely available wherever you travel.


If the MD2b that I have gives up the ghost before I do, my next engine will be a Kubota...whether it is called Nanni, Beta, or any other flavour makes no real difference.
 
Why have cars all changed from carburettors?
In truth the 1GM is obsolete technology - and now replaced in Yanmar's line-up.
Hence the low-price.
I had a 2GM - great 1960's technology - now I've got a 3YM and moved forward 20 years in technological terms - but marine engineering is at least 30 years behind current diesel technology.
 
Well thanks all. You inspired me and I bought one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERMAID-M...at_Engines_EngineParts_SM&hash=item27f130184b

TBH at that price, it was also an easy solution to add hot water to the boat instead of messing around with a Truma boiler and I suspect once I sell the 1GM the cost to change will end up around a similar price to the Truma boiler.

Also found a gearbox.

I know it's a chinese engine, but spares are available and at that price.... I can't honestly say I'm concerned about buying what is effectively a chinese industrial engine.... they seem to know what they are doing in industrial terms and much as a I want to dislike the Hidea outboard my sailing club bought when one of the old Yamahas was stolen... it's a good bit of kit.
 
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