Don't buy any secondhand diesel that does not have a warranty attached to it. These engines are very durable, and will generally go for ages, but they rust out from the water jacket long before they quit mechanically. Also, there is a well known saying here in Oz that "recondtioned" means that it has been repainted. "Totally reconditioned" means that they cleaned the dirt off before repainting it! I found the truth of this the hard way. I bought a running engine, which only ran for a little while before I had to apply lots of TLC [time, labour and cash] to it. I ended up selling it for $50.00 and feeling guilty about accepting the money.
Peter.
You could consider new engines too. A company in Dorset (Portland I think) will sell you a new marinised Ford transit engine with a coupling to mate with your existing gear box for about £4500 I think.. I haven't used them yet, but have been scouting for a replace for my ageing Lister 4 cylinder and they seemed quite reasonable.
I've got the same question. I'm looking at a 1966 Enderlein 35' wooden sloop that has the original Volvo MD2 engine -- the surveyor has said it would make a very good mooring anchor (once coated with epoxy to keep the oil in, of course).
The MD2 is 15hp -- is this enough -- and can anyone recommend a good boat yard that understands wooden boats and isn't too expensive. I've found a second hand Yanmar for around £2k but it doesn't sound like a good idea, even if it is a good engine.
I live in London so East Coast (Maldon area) or South Coast (Hamble/Southampton).
