GM V8 Diesels

syd

syd

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Hi all
I'm back. I see some familiar names are still here. How you all been.?

I'm looking for opinions on the GM V8 Diesel engines. 6.2 and 6.5 , whether anyone has had good or bad experiences with these engines, where they bought them and who they use to carry out any maintenance or rebuilds.
These engines are used as a convenient replacement for the petrol V8's being of the same footprint, but they achieved a really bad press as SAMOURI Diesels who have long gone bust.
Also, anyone who knows anyone who has these engines in their boat? Any information will be appreciated.

Cheers for now

Syd
 
Hi Syd

I don't know who else marinises these engines other than Samurai - who let a good opportunity slip through their hands..

The basic GM block is fine and very robust - especially the non-turbo version. Maybe get hold of one and rebuild it yourself?

At one time this was the favourite conversion for the Bayliner 2855 and 2855 wide-body. I nearly bought one once but ended up with my Windy.
 
What DS said, the GM diesel is a great lump.

I have heard of probs in the past with companies selling recon engines that were not much good. A new engine, properly marinised would make a good, but maybe heavy, replacement for a petrol.

There was a company called something like 'Marine Diesel' at Southampton boat show a couple of years ago. They were selling new marinised GM V8 oil burners, but the price was up there with a compact diesel such as the KAD32 at that time.
 
"At one time this was the favourite conversion for the Bayliner 2855 and 2855 wide-body. I nearly bought one once but ended up with my Windy."

That was a master stroke!

Hi Syd!
 
HAve a look at this stuff...

http://www.peninsulardiesel.com/marine.html

The 6.2 had some problems in the beginning with cracked heads as a result of undercooling I believe.... but if you are looking for an engine which have been running for a while, it should mean that they have got that sorted. Basically quite sound engines, but marinising kits here in the UK leaves a bit to be desired. Quite popular engines for re-powering in Norway and appears to be very reliable with the right marinising kits.

On the 6.5 the cylinder heads were sorted and became very good indeed, but once again, do remember that the higher output engines are more sensitive if cooling system failures/blockages occur... common sense actually ... more fuel and air combusting, generates more heat to dispose of, so if blockage in cooling syste happens, it takes less time to overheat.

Solid engineering in base engines, but marinising kit may let it down if not done well. Well spread out in the automotive industry and parts for the engine, (when bought from the automotive trade), should be easy to come by and relatively cheap.

Quite high torque engines, so be aware of sterndrive installationsw, which may be on the limit of what some Mercruiser drives (most commonly used) can/could handle, so worth investigation before committing..

Good luck....
 
Had Samurai GM 6.2L engine in my Fairline Sprint which sunk (nothing to do with engine it was sound). Nearly finished rebuilding for this season and have purchased another second hand GM 6.2L engine that came from a Range Rover that Samurai had re-engineered. It's in my fathers garage (he's a shipbuilder/engineer) and seems to run well on a test bed. Will be refurbishing sunken engine at later date and selling on. From what I gather Samurai conversions were a bit of a lottery, a former owner of my boat apparently had a nightmare with the Samurai engine that was in it, sold the boat to Samurai who replaced the engine and sold it on from there.
 
Jez is correct. Cruising club allocated me a "condemned" mooring. The ground chain had been dragged closer in and the boat bottomed on spring tide, tipped to one side and took water in the engine vents.

However, insurance paid out quickly and handsomely and have a better boat with lots of new toys to go in the water this year.

Downside is I'll be working in West Africa for 9 months of the year so SWMBO, kids and my dad will be enjoying it most of the time.
 
Didn't replace. Kept hull and rebuilt with Insurance money. Was a nice boat before but looks nicer now. Will post some pics when it's a bit tidier. Currently in my driveway and I touch up little bits at a time whenever I can. Learnt a lot about boats from this project but definitely wouldn't want to go through it all again.

Possibly change the boat at end of next season for something newer.
 
Re: Ather Marine

I am looking at a boat tomorrow that has a gm v8 oil burner, he says its a 5.7 (was there one?) and it's overheated but he says there is no mayo in oil etc, and he rekons iron head so wont crack?? i'm not sure on it so looking for advice asap before I look at it, he says heat exchanger has gone but he didn't sound like he knew alot about engines!! I'm thinking its maybe got a blockage or something, he said when it got hot water came out the header and he stopped it, so maybe it's not too far gone, I'll do a sniff test if he lets me run it, is there any way to check for salt in the fresh coolant?
there is a new coolant out now that is waterless and is much better, it does not build up pressure etc so am thinking once I have fixed it that this would work better, I think it's a conversion done by the company beginning with s on page 1 but I can't remember the name!! I'm sure I could improve it if the engine is salvagable!, it's running a bravo 2 so hopefully the torque wont have minced it!
 
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