bunyip
New member
Has anyone any experience of replacing a 24 year old MD7A and 110S saildrive with a new engine as an alternative to a major overhaul?
MD7A/110S replacement
- Thread starter bunyip
- Start date
Viking
New member
I have just brought a 30 footer with a new 28hp and 3 blade prop. which replaced the original MD7A/110S. Its great, at full power, I now get motor boats waving their fists at me!
It will depend on how the engine as been looked after and if its giving you problems now. I had a MD7B/110S had it take out deglazed, new rings etc went on sweet as a nut.
It will depend on how the engine as been looked after and if its giving you problems now. I had a MD7B/110S had it take out deglazed, new rings etc went on sweet as a nut.
bunyip
New member
Thanks for the comments Frank - I see you had(?) a Maxi 84 which is what I have - No167 - brilliant boats - I would go anywhere in it! The MD7A is the original from 1978 - I goes well - starts first time, but has started to show signs of blocked water passages - also very rusty on exterior.
I have considered a rebuild but have been frightened by reports of unavailability of parts and very high prices - if they are available. So also with the wish to have a bit more power I was considering total replacement - at least of the engine - I dont know yet whether the 110S would marry to any other units - Beta seem to suggest in their advertising that their BD722 will - I am waiting to hear from them.
Its the old problem of cost of new against a major overhaul - I will just have to gather the facts and then decide - mind you with the weather we have been having here in N. ireland I might just sell the whole thing! My brother in law has been holed up in Troon for over a week trying to get to Belfast Lough!
Alistair Jameson
I have considered a rebuild but have been frightened by reports of unavailability of parts and very high prices - if they are available. So also with the wish to have a bit more power I was considering total replacement - at least of the engine - I dont know yet whether the 110S would marry to any other units - Beta seem to suggest in their advertising that their BD722 will - I am waiting to hear from them.
Its the old problem of cost of new against a major overhaul - I will just have to gather the facts and then decide - mind you with the weather we have been having here in N. ireland I might just sell the whole thing! My brother in law has been holed up in Troon for over a week trying to get to Belfast Lough!
Alistair Jameson
Rob_Webb
Active member
I'm interested in what conclusion you come to here - I've recently purchased a '79 Leisure 27 in great condition with an original MD7A that also seems to be doing fine (touch wood) but lacks power under some conditions and being a single pot runs less smoothly than something newer with two pots. I have also experienced a bit of overheating at high revs when the cooling intake seems to become a bit air-ated on accassions - possibly from some restrictions to the flow in through the saildrive leg and inlet valve?
Anyway, I am considering a replacement as opposed to an overhaul as I would fundamentally like 2 cyl and a bit more power - 15hp would be great.
If you are able to keep me posted on what your research shows I would be grateful. My only contribution is that a new Volvo meeting the above criteria would set me back nearly £4k inc. fitting! (I think it was for a 2010 model?).
Regards
Rob Webb
rob.webb@kpmg.co.uk
Anyway, I am considering a replacement as opposed to an overhaul as I would fundamentally like 2 cyl and a bit more power - 15hp would be great.
If you are able to keep me posted on what your research shows I would be grateful. My only contribution is that a new Volvo meeting the above criteria would set me back nearly £4k inc. fitting! (I think it was for a 2010 model?).
Regards
Rob Webb
rob.webb@kpmg.co.uk
bunyip
New member
Thanks for your comments Rob - are you sure that your engine is an MD7A? - mine has two cyl!
I have had a quote of £5300 ex VAT for a Volvo 2020 and another from Beta of £3500 inc VAT - using my old saildrive - some difference! The problem with my MD7A is that the water passages are becoming blocked causing insufficient cooling to the engine and exhaust. I think that in the long term a replacement is the best option - and to h**l with the expense!
I have had a quote of £5300 ex VAT for a Volvo 2020 and another from Beta of £3500 inc VAT - using my old saildrive - some difference! The problem with my MD7A is that the water passages are becoming blocked causing insufficient cooling to the engine and exhaust. I think that in the long term a replacement is the best option - and to h**l with the expense!
Rob_Webb
Active member
No, you're right, I have got an MD5A! That would account for the single cylinder! But I would still like a twin - had several before on Westerlies and liked them.
I gather that the nice thing about the new Volvos is that they use internal freshwater cooling like a car engine, hence no corrosion issues over time. Apparently the latest models all include a heat exchanger if hot water is an important part of your washing routine! But they do cost......
I thought that I was quoted about £3,500 for a 2010 which would then cost several £100 more to fir - hence the £4k+ figure. I think that would be enough power for my 27' but whilst my 5A is stuill running just about ok then I'll be spending the money on other equipment!
Rob
I gather that the nice thing about the new Volvos is that they use internal freshwater cooling like a car engine, hence no corrosion issues over time. Apparently the latest models all include a heat exchanger if hot water is an important part of your washing routine! But they do cost......
I thought that I was quoted about £3,500 for a 2010 which would then cost several £100 more to fir - hence the £4k+ figure. I think that would be enough power for my 27' but whilst my 5A is stuill running just about ok then I'll be spending the money on other equipment!
Rob
Viking
New member
I sold my Maxi 84 (No1084) in the UK 1998 I have moved to Norway and just a month ago I brought another Maxi 84 (No866) with the new 28hp. My old Maxi had roller reefing headsail. This new Maxi as hank-on headsails and with this lighter engine she flys. I had 7.2kts to windward with heeling under 20degrees without trying.
But they are great boats. I had my old Maxi out in 4 gales and near gales with no problems.
Sorry about your weather. But here, 62 degrees North, we have had practically non-stop sunshine since before Easter.
I hope your problem is solve without being to expensive. (Throught!) This there any chance of picking up a reconditioned engine?
But they are great boats. I had my old Maxi out in 4 gales and near gales with no problems.
Sorry about your weather. But here, 62 degrees North, we have had practically non-stop sunshine since before Easter.
I hope your problem is solve without being to expensive. (Throught!) This there any chance of picking up a reconditioned engine?
bunyip
New member
I'm interested to hear that you have 28HP - must be fantastic! What type of engine is it? Does your stern not dip down under this power?I use a folding prop which is ok in forward but is very poor in reverse - does the 3 blader - fixed I presume? - not slow you up when sailing? Your boats are both much later on the production line than mine - I saw 1118 in Largs 2 years ago - did'nt seem to be many differences except all the controls were led to the cockpit. Presuably there are quite a few Maxis of different types where you are? Although I did'nt own it, I did a lot of sailing years ago on a Maxi 95 - It was an excellent sea boat as well. I think that Maxi's should feature more in rewiews/comparisons in the magazines.Maybe I should forget about changing my engine and just change the boat!
Viking
New member
Maxi's are popular here around me in the marina (£100 per year including water, elect. and security) are a few 77's with outboards. My 84 looks big against them. The 28hp engine is a Volvo 2030 with folding prop. which graps well. You can practically water ski of her at full tilt when she goes on the plane! All the controls in my old 84 I lead back to the cockpit But I still have the mast winch for the main on the new one, which I will change in time. The main sail reefing needs sorting to.
My location is in Ålesund in Norway. On the west coast.
There was a brief review on the 84, the other month, in one of the mags. saying it was very safe family boat.
I hear the 95 is a good boat, But it doesnt look as elegant as the 84, the mast is to short, for the size and bulk of the hull.
Anyway that what I think.
Good luck. Be interested to hear how you get on.
Regards
My location is in Ålesund in Norway. On the west coast.
There was a brief review on the 84, the other month, in one of the mags. saying it was very safe family boat.
I hear the 95 is a good boat, But it doesnt look as elegant as the 84, the mast is to short, for the size and bulk of the hull.
Anyway that what I think.
Good luck. Be interested to hear how you get on.
Regards
mark ashby
New member
Rob,
Just been reading your notes in the YBW forum, (back in 2002) about upgrading your Volvo engine. I am in the process of buying a L27 which has been upgraded to a Beta BD722 using the original sail drive 110s. This has caused issues with prop sizing as the engine is rated at a3600rpm at max power instead of 2500rpm for the Volvo. This has lead to overheating.
Did you ever fit a Beta engine? Was you L27 called Windrush by any chance?
Best Regards,
Mark Ashby
