Marinised Isuzu Engine questions......

[JasonB]

Hi,

I've come across a Bayliner 2455 that has had it's original engine replaced by a "marinised" Isuzu 2.8 engine from a crashed '93 Trooper.

Has anyone any experience of these engines?

I'm waiting on the seller to come back to me with the contact details of the Marine Engineer that did the job for him but what questions should I have for him?

I understand I'd need to check on the Sterndrive and prop as well but I'd appreciate any advice.

I looked at the Lancing Marine website, but saw nothing on it relating to Isuzu engines. Anywhere else I could look?

Thanks,

Jason.

 

[bdsweeting]

Quite a lot of info via Google on 'Isuzu Marine' including this one --
http://boatdiesel.com/Engines/Isuzu/Isuzu.cfm

Had an Isuzu van many years ago, had a tough engine in it.

 

[SitaRam]

I have had a 156 hp 6cl natural desiel this came from the factory in my Albin trawler for more than 10 years of hard use & have never given me any troble, it has started every time & has had bad fuel many times with out dammage,
its a great engine!

 

[savageseadog]

They are very good engines, people retrofit them in Landrovers and the like as an upgrade engine. The quality of the engine installation will depend on the quality of the conversion.

 

[wcarpenter]

The cooling system is very important. Direct raw water cooling is very easy to fit but not the best solution. An indirect system with cooling coils and and header tank should be fitted. Don't buy without having a survey by a marine engine expert, a lot of surveyors in Ireland are not engine experts.

 

[JasonB]

Hi Bavwally,

Yes, I'd prefer to have it "fresh" water (Hope the terminology is correct) cooled especially as I would be moving it from the Shannon down to Cork Harbour. Ideally adding a Calorifier as well. If it looks and sound Kosher enough I was going to get a seperate "surveryor" for the engine - Do you know any good ones in Ireland?

I haven't seen anything apart from an outside photograph of the boat but the seller is going down to her this week to take some photos of the engine and interior for me. I don't want a 7hour round trip to discover a fundemental problem with the boat.

I saw one boat that the interior had been beautifully redone with chipboard!!!!!!! Run away! Run away! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

If the marinisation was fine with all the right gearbox, sterndrive, cooling bits and she could be protected with anodes etc in saltwater I'd go up and take her for a spin to see if the engine is man enough for the job. I haven't been able to find any decent sites yet which give me the specs of the particular engine, so all I have to go on is the fact that he says it's 130HP which sounds a bit low for a 24ft sportscruiser, even for a Diesel! He also passed a comment which worried me afterwards - He was getting the trim tabs fixed because they weren't working and without them she couldn't get up on the plane." That sounds underpowered to me, or is that standard for sportscruisers? I did my Level 2 powerboat on a 7 metre RIB with 225 angry Horses on the back - What trim tabs!!!!!

J

 

[twisterkai]

I think the power rating quoted by the seller is rather suspect. He reckons it's 130hp, whereas the new Isuzu 3.0 DOHC TD is rated at 131hp - unless, of course, when it was marinised it was fitted with a much larger blower.

 

[neale]

Not sure how old the 2455 is but I have an 80's 2455 which I have removed the petrol and replaced with a 170hp Volvo. The boat makes 29knots with this engine, but I think with 130hp you're going to struggle. If the boat planes, it is going to need full throttle to keep it there which is not good for the motor.

On the subject of sterndrives. If It is an OMC sterndrive there may be an issue with its ability to deal with the extra torque created by a diesel. Also the gear ratio may be all wrong.

You must take this boat out for a trial and get it looked at by a respected marine engineer before paying out any money. It could be a bargain, on the other hand it may turn out to be a money pit. If you want to take a gamble, make sure the boat is cheap enough to replace the drive, engine or both should it all go wrong.

 

[JasonB]

Hi Neale,

That's kinda the way I was thinking.

Pros: She's Diesel - Easy to get and Isuzu produce Marine Diesels based on their Automotive engines and a lot of Marine Diesels are Automotive based.
She has a layout that I happen to like.
She's the same price as a lot of the Petrol engine ones for sale - so seeing as I'd want to replace the petrol engine if I bought one, why not?


Cons: Underpowered????
Marinisation not done properly!
She's the same price as petrol engined boats - must have something wrong - if she's the same price as a petrol one, why not buy a perfect petrol engined boat and replace it anyway???

If she's under powered most of my trips are from one side of the harbour to the other (approx 4 miles) - maybe not so important.......

If I may be so bold - how much did it set you back to do the whole diesel job? PM me if you like.

Decisions, Decisions.

J.