KAD 43 vs 44

[simonfraser]

44's need tappet adjustements every 200 hours, cant find out of 43's require the same

I'd rather have simpler, slightly more fuel comsumption, which would mean 43 ?
Guess the parts are likley to be available for some time for the 43's ?

 

[Momac]

The kad 44 has 24 valves, compared to the kad43 is 12 valves.
The more important valve adjustment requirement comes with the 24 valve arrangement.
Parts for normal service are easily available.

 

[neale]

43 is 230hp, 44 is 260hp. This may be more important than fuel consumption or simplicity of valve arrangement. If 230 is enough, I would prefer the 43, but if the boat needs 260 (or 520 rather than 460 if twin) then go for the 44 and accept a slightly more rigorous requirement for valve checking. Parts should be good on both for a good few years yet.

 

[simonfraser]

tnx, the boat will get on the plane with either, unlikely to cruise at 30 knots for any length of time.
seaway, as i only coastal hop, this should be 'easy' to avoid, famous last words ....

and there is less electricary on the 43 ?

 

[Momac]

The kad43 has the advantage of less electrical complications and usually comes with mechanical throttle and gear cables as opposed to the kad44 has more complicated electronics including electrically actuated throttle/gear.

A boat with kad43's could have electrically operated throttles (my kad32's do) but that would have been a substantial cost option so its unusual.

 

[spannerman]

200hrs is the interval on everything from 30/31/32, 40/41/42/43, 44/300. They are all very easy to adjust 30/40 mins, except for 44/300 which require removal of the injector pipes to remove the rocker cover so allow at least 2/3 hrs. These times assume good access which can easily be double if there is no headroom.

 

[simonfraser]

tnx.

 

[CLB]

200hrs is the interval on everything from 30/31/32, 40/41/42/43, 44/300. They are all very easy to adjust 30/40 mins, except for 44/300 which require removal of the injector pipes to remove the rocker cover so allow at least 2/3 hrs. These times assume good access which can easily be double if there is no headroom.

If I had any of those engines, except the last two, I would be rather relaxed about valve adjustment and would have no problem letting them slip over the 200 hour mark, maybe even as far as 300 hours, and check / adjust them when it suited me. If I had the last two, I would be considering checking them from about 150 hours and do it as soon as feasible after that. I would certainly not let them go over 200 hours. That, and the extra work involved with the injector pipes, means I would rather have a 43 than a 44 if the HP difference wasn't an issue.

 

[aquatom]

If I had any of those engines, except the last two, I would be rather relaxed about valve adjustment and would have no problem letting them slip over the 200 hour mark, maybe even as far as 300 hours, and check / adjust them when it suited me. If I had the last two, I would be considering checking them from about 150 hours and do it as soon as feasible after that. I would certainly not let them go over 200 hours. That, and the extra work involved with the injector pipes, means I would rather have a 43 than a 44 if the HP difference wasn't an issue.

We often come across KAD44's and 300's here in the med that have never had the valves adjusted. Some of them with 1200+ hours on them. Never heard of any valve problems here.

 

[Sneds]

That's nice to know, I'm just about to buy a boat with the 44's and electronic throttles, 150 hours on her and quite happy to get work done at the required service intervals.
Same with the car, perhaps I'm a bit anal about it, but I like it when things are "right"