Help - New engine block needed !!

[stuart0507]

I recently bought a 1958 27' Elysian with GRP hull and mahogany superstructure, fitted with a BMC Vedette 100 petrol engine. Despite the fitting of a new cylinder head (old one was cracked) water is still getting into at least one cylinder and oil filter which I'm told can only be due to a failed (cracked ?) block.
Does anyone know where I could find a short engine block for what is effectively a Morris Minor 1100 engine (I've posted on the MM owners club forum) or a reconditioned engine ?
I am new to boating, so any help, recommendations, or advice would be much appreciated ! Thank you !

 

[Pump-Out]

Try some of the Thames Boatbuilders.

BMC was a common engine in slipper launches and so forth, but now are being removed for electric conversions or more modern power units. Freebody; Henwood & Dean, Wootons and so forth.

 

[RobinBirch]

Bite the bullet and get a small Beta. I don't mean to sound unhelpful but the combination of old engine, moisture, petrol, fumes will detract from your sailing experience.

I sailed a 1953 Hillyard and the best thing I did was pulling out the old BMC 1.5 donk and replacing it with a Beta 25.

 

[stuart0507]

Thank you I will make some enquiries.

 

[stuart0507]

Bite the bullet and get a small Beta. I don't mean to sound unhelpful but the combination of old engine, moisture, petrol, fumes will detract from your sailing experience.

I sailed a 1953 Hillyard and the best thing I did was pulling out the old BMC 1.5 donk and replacing it with a Beta 25.

Thank you - that's for for thought ! Do you know a ballpark cost for a Beta 25 ?

 

[john_morris_uk]

Thank you - that's for for thought ! Do you know a ballpark cost for a Beta 25 ?

There’s a Beta 30 brand new on eBay. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/163806710208

 

[RobinBirch]

Stuart0507

Not cheap and these are late 2014 prices -Beta 25 was £4.2k delivered, marine engineer to fit £1k, other bits £1k (shaft, new batteries, prop, fuel pipes etc) and on top was haul out/in and engine lift out /in.

Having had the BMC let me down going west off Yarmouth IoW. spring ebbs and no wind I didn't regret a penny of it. Well worth it for my peace of mind. Once again many thanks to the fellow mariner in the big Rib that hauled me back to Yarmouth!

 

[Topcat47]

Try getting a short engine from Charles Ware's Morris Minor Centre.

 

[fisherman]

a member of the forum, mcalan, has a boat with a Vedette engine, on which he had work done by someone in Henley...might be worth an ask.

 

[gordmac]

Is it A series based?

 

[lw395]

There are several on ebay if you search for morris minor engine.

 

[Dan Tribe]

Is it A series based?

Almost certainly. A Series very easy to work on and spares fairly easy to get, you could even fit a Cooper S!
Not sure how the marinisation would affect the block though?

 

[rickwales]

I marinised a old A series into a ships lifeboat many years ago I direct seawater cooled it and ran it for over 10 years without any problem . Not that I would recommend doing it that way but I was 14 at the time and did everything based on Nigel Warrens book marine conversions, school metalwork shop had its uses !

 

[PeteCooper]

A cracked block can be successfully welded - a lot cheaper than replacement.

 

[mickywillis]

Any good:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/656278871810938/

Not mine but just came up on my FB feed!

 

[mickywillis]

Or this:

Bmc Vedette Engine And Gearbox for sale from United Kingdom

 

[mickywillis]

BMC Vedette petrol engines. -The Official NORFOLK BROADS FORUM

Not a all were A series apparently?
Is it a sidevalve engine?
If so, definitely not an A Series!