Engine size

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banger

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Looking at a boat for the Thames, one has a six cylinder, 108 bhp lump, is that a silly size for the river considering that 4 mph is the supposed max speed, diesel like to work , but would probably be running at low rev's, all information is gratefully received.
 
lots of boats chugging up and down with vastly more horses than that with no issues, might also depend on exactly what is pushing through the water.
Would not give two hoots about the horses, condition is king and can you get spares.Avoid modified marinised road engines if at all possble.
As for fuel consumption costs , 400HP at Thames velocities sips about 1-2 GPH in 35 flybridge boat.
Preferably shafts but needs must.
 
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banger said:
Looking at a boat for the Thames, one has a six cylinder, 108 bhp lump, is that a silly size for the river considering that 4 mph is the supposed max speed, diesel like to work , but would probably be running at low rev's, all information is gratefully received.
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Tidal or non tidal? Boat size and weight? Engine Model? As OG says. HP only one factor. Happy to throw in an opinion but need bit more info.
 
My twin 5.7ltr diesels.are.so much quieter and smoother than my old boat with a pair of 1.8's.
I believe that turbo diesels aren't too happy chugging for months at low revs, but was advised that a good old clear out up the tidal or simply running one engine at a time for a bit should please them.
Plus what oldgit says.
 
Lower Limit 1909 said:
Tidal or non tidal? Boat size and weight? Engine Model? As OG says. HP only one factor. Happy to throw in an opinion but need bit more info.
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Engine could be an early Volvo 40 series with that HP, as fitted to many Princess 32 or Thornycroft as fitted to Freeman 32.
Problem with Thornycroft would be spares /
 
oldgit said:
Engine could be an early Volvo 40 series with that HP, as fitted to many Princess 32 or Thornycroft as fitted to Freeman 32.
Problem with Thornycroft would be spares /
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Weren't Thornycroft engines mostly BMC power plants with a Thornycroft marinisation? - Not that it helps that much...
Just interested you understand...
 
banger said:
Volvo MD32 is the engine pushing a 27' boat, an old engine, don't know what the spares situation is.
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Spend few moments searching the forums for posts regards spares MD32 , not talking abourt filters etc and other generic bits such as alternators etc but major components such heat exchangers.
No reason at all to not buy if engine has been lovingly cared for over its life with loads of service history etc,might have many years of trouble free life left, however an engine nearly 50 years old is going to need major bits at some point.
Age and type of engine could be a good bargaining point in your favour.
There are several companies such as Lancing Marine who produce quality replacements of now obsolete VP parts.
No more bits for MD32 from Volvo but 40 is very similar.

https://www.marinepartseurope.com/en/e-volvo-penta-649-MD32A.aspx


[url]https://www.marinepartseurope.com/en/e-volvo-penta-653-MD40A.aspx
[/URL]
 
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oldgit said:
Spend few moments searching the forums for posts regards spares MD32 , not talking abourt filters etc and other generic bits such as alternators etc but major components such heat exchangers.
No reason at all to not buy if engine has been lovingly cared for over its life with loads of service history etc,might have many years of trouble free life left, however an engine nearly 50 years old is going to need major bits at some point.
Age and type of engine could be a good bargaining point in your favour.
There are several companies such as Lancing Marine who produce quality replacements of now obsolete VP parts.
No more bits for MD32 from Volvo but 40 is very similar.

https://www.marinepartseurope.com/en/e-volvo-penta-649-MD32A.aspx


[url]https://www.marinepartseurope.com/en/e-volvo-penta-653-MD40A.aspx
[/URL]
Click to expand...

A md32 in a displacement boat on a river and governed to 3000 well maintained would be the best way to give it long life so might just have some life in it but not much but in any case probably walk away Rene as they say .

MD40 totally different beast only thing in common would the paint !
 
scottie said:
A md32 in a displacement boat on a river and governed to 3000 well maintained would be the best way to give it long life so might just have some life in it but not much but in any case probably walk away Rene as they say .

MD40 totally different beast only thing in common would the paint !
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Word of caution that if it is a an MD32 I think if my memory serves me correctly that was an Renault Industrial engine and its main failing was its aluminium cylinder head.
 
Thats a shame, that 27 Fjord was a great boat, i had one myself (i put a Transit 2.5 DI engine in mine - it was up for sale in Ireland recently)
 
banger said:
Thanks for the info, decided not to go ahead with the boat, I don't favor Volvo anyway as the cost of spares is ridiculously high and after looking on the net the MD32 is best avoiding.
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It can be a problem to persuade some owners to wake up to the fact that even well kept popular boats very rarely now attract the prices they could a few years ago and there is a absolute glut of ancient moneypits lurking out there.
For the determined buyer who knows the market, now would be the time to sort the wheat from the chaffe and bargain hard.
 
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Yes it was a Fjord, I haven't looked at it as I was put off by the engine, hence my post about it, pity as the example seems to be a very well kept one and I like the layout, however the one I was considering would need to be moved, expensive as it may be considered a wide load.
 
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