Just a question : What Diesel engine would replace my Gasoline one ?

[Refueler]

Present engine 6cyl Gasoline VP AQ170A driving a 280 leg .....

Would there be a Diesel engine that could basically bolt straight in as replacement ?? I appreciate prop change to account for lower RPM and different torque.

I am not looking at new engine ... but a used engine that's maybe from about the same era or just after that could match the leg .... as the VP AQ range are basically Volvo Car engines with some modifications to suit marine use.

 

[scottie]

Not sure that there is simple economic answer especially if you want to keep the added hp that came with 170
I think that not a lot more than the transom shield would be retained
The original D3 model was hoped to the simple answer but failed badly on several fronts
It probably a case of seeing what is available and working from there to achieve best worse case

 

[Refueler]

The boat originally had a (B10) AQ130 4cyl VP 130HP unit ... previous owner swapped it out for the 6cyl AQ170 ... which TBH - is a bit heavy for the boat ...
Probably why the underhull cracked same place each side of engine box. All repaired and re-inforced now.

My thoughts are that because the boat is going to spend its life on quieter waters - lakes and rivers .... there's no need for that big engine ...

I'll probably hang in there with it ... till it gives me real trouble ... it needs new ring gear as starter has trouble sometimes catching gear to spin engine over .. its not starter as that's just been revamped with new solenoid and gear mesh.

Boat may be old .... but she's a gem for the river ....

Apologies for my Latvian pal's language !!

 

[Refueler]

Anyone ever changed ring gear on one of these ??? Does annoy sometimes when trying to start engine and you need 5 or 6 hits of the key to get engaged.

 

[BB1]

Present engine 6cyl Gasoline VP AQ170A driving a 280 leg .....

Would there be a Diesel engine that could basically bolt straight in as replacement ?? I appreciate prop change to account for lower RPM and different torque.

I am not looking at new engine ... but a used engine that's maybe from about the same era or just after that could match the leg .... as the VP AQ range are basically Volvo Car engines with some modifications to suit marine use.

Nanni do a bell housing kit to fit a number of Nanni units to the 280 leg I believe.

 

[oldgit]

A long time ago went out on a Thames based boat.
A 4 cylinder Mercedes ? ex vehicle deisel engine had been fitted to replace the defunct petrol unit.
A great deal of time and trouble had been spent to do the installation to the highest possible standards, only problem was that due to a gearing/ prop/engine torque miss match, to achieve the 6 knots or so to cruise ...... the engine was revving at around 1500 RPM.
Everything seemed to feel a tad to "busy" as you went along, especially if you were used to 500-600 rpm to achieve the same result.

 

[stelican]

There is a company in UK called Lancing Marine who were well known for re-engining early Volvo installations.
Well worth looking at even if only for inspiration.

 

[Seastoke]

Stick an outboard on it

 

[Refueler]

A long time ago went out on a Thames based boat.
A 4 cylinder Mercedes ? ex vehicle deisel engine had been fitted to replace the defunct petrol unit.
A great deal of time and trouble had been spent to do the installation to the highest possible standards, only problem was that due to a gearing/ prop/engine torque miss match, to achieve the 6 knots or so to cruise ...... the engine was revving at around 1500 RPM.
Everything seemed to feel a tad to "busy" as you went along, especially if you were used to 500-600 rpm to achieve the same result.

Agreed ... I know I would have to re-prop .... there is a table of props for my leg - engine combo.

 

[Refueler]

Stick an outboard on it

I hope you are joking ...... no way mate.

 

[oldgit]

Ex forumite purchased a little ancient Fairline of some sort as his first boat.
It had a Transit diesel engine bolted onto a VP outdrive leg .
Who ever did the conversion used Lancing Marine as a source of parts.
Probably the most shoddy and horrific bodge job ever inflicted on a harmless boat and any subsequent owner.
Nothing but expensive grief from day one , suspect it spent more time being towed back home than under its own power.
Needless to say it was unloaded back on the market as soon as the new owner ran out of time/patience and money.
This skipper being quick learner then purchased a boat with diesels on shafts. A Turbo 36.
Lancing did their level best to try and help sort all the nasty little bodges the previous owner had done but to no avail.

 

[Refueler]

Guy here took a 25ft motor boat .... cut in hlaf and added about 5ft section midships (we do that to ships !!) ... took out the old Soviet Urals and dropped a BMW 3 ltr diesel in ... works a treat .. crap boat though !!

He used it for day trips on the river .. 20e per person .. 2hrs trips ..

Yo9u can see it behind my boat ....

 

[PaulRainbow]

Ex forumite purchased a little ancient Fairline of some sort as his first boat.
It had a Transit diesel engine bolted onto a VP outdrive leg .
Who ever did the conversion used Lancing Marine as a source of parts.
Probably the most shoddy and horrific bodge job ever inflicted on a harmless boat and any subsequent owner.
Nothing but expensive grief from day one , suspect it spent more time being towed back home than under its own power.
Needless to say it was unloaded back on the market as soon as the new owner ran out of time/patience and money.
This skipper being quick learner purchased a boat with diesels on shafts. A Turbo 36.
Lancing did their level best to try and help sort all the nasty little bodges the previous owner had done but to no avail.

I had a Princess 32 with twin Peugeot 1800 diesels, Lancing did the bits for those too. Mine was a good conversion, from straight 6 petrols i think. Bit slow and roly at sea, but not bad at all on a river.

If the marinising bits are still available it's not a massively expensive job, the engines should be peanuts to buy and not a fortune to refurb.

 

[scottie]

I admire your optimism but mix metaphors is there a time to stop nawing at hole