Need Perkins Replacement Part(s) for Volvo Penta MD2020 Engine

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Goofeyfoot

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Hello All:

I have a Volvo MD2020 Engine built around year 2000. 20 horse, 3 cylinder.

I believe I need to replace the head. That's what the mechanic told me.

Volvo quotes an astronomical price for the head. I am vaguely aware that the motor is actually a Perkins product.

I have contacted several outlets to see whether I can cross reference a Perkins part to use as a replacement for the Volvo head. But those that I have contacted seem to be unable to figure out which Perkins part would be the right one.

Does anyone have any information in this regard?

Thanks for your help.

Michael
 
I know this does not answer your query, but there must be an answer out there somewhere; because I have seen comments about the subject of Perkins parts for the 2020 on other forums. I seem to recall that one does not have to have Perkins alone; although I am not sure that this applies to the 2020.
May I suggest the Cruiser forum as a possible source
However, I would also question why you need a new head. Is it cracked? Are there any waterways in the head that have corroded? If not then the part could be re-machined, could it not?
There is also a company that deals in second hand refurb marine engines in the SW of the UK somewhere. Someone on the forum may have the name.
.A search & an enquiry to see if they have a head for sale may save you some money.
 
Surely the cost of any new head for a 20+ year old engine will be more than the value of the lump?

If it really needs replacement (rather than rebuilding), perhaps look for a used donor engine?

Also double check that your mechanic knows the (marine) context: If the head went in a 2000 Honda, say, it’s perfectly reasonable advice to grab a ‘new’ (old) replacement from a breaker - but that’s not so easy on a marine engine, as you’re finding out.
 
Goofeyfoot said:
Hello All:

I have a Volvo MD2020 Engine built around year 2000. 20 horse, 3 cylinder.

I believe I need to replace the head. That's what the mechanic told me.

Volvo quotes an astronomical price for the head. I am vaguely aware that the motor is actually a Perkins product.

I have contacted several outlets to see whether I can cross reference a Perkins part to use as a replacement for the Volvo head. But those that I have contacted seem to be unable to figure out which Perkins part would be the right one.

Does anyone have any information in this regard?

Thanks for your help.

Michael
Click to expand...

Parts4engines would be the best place for anything MD2020. They don't list a head, but might be able to source one.

That said, the head on these engines is close to indestructible. If it's cracked (pretty rare) it can be welded, if it's warped it can be skimmed. If the valves, seats etc are knackered they can all be replaced.

What is actually wrong with the head ?
 
PaulRainbow said:
I don't think "valve grinding" constitutes an overhaul.
Click to expand...
Maybe that is all it needed. The company has a good reputation. As already suggested these engines rarely need any attention to the head throughout their life. No doubt the seller will explain why the head was removed in the first place and what other work was carried out. The the buyer could make his own decision as to whether it is suitable for him.
 
Something to bear in mind I remember reading that in order to up the horsepower to 19 Volvo increased the stroke of the Perama M 20 if this is correct then many parts may have been altered including the crankshaft ,conrods and possibly the head. I think the Perama was nearer 17 hp.
 
parbuckle said:
Something to bear in mind I remember reading that in order to up the horsepower to 19 Volvo increased the stroke of the Perama M 20 if this is correct then many parts may have been altered including the crankshaft ,conrods and possibly the head. I think the Perama was nearer 17 hp.
Click to expand...
The head is flat IIRC. I had mine very lightly skimmed to ensure it really was flat…. There was an opening and a cavity where the injector and pre-heat went in? I seem to recall the main part of the combustion chamber was in the piston crown.
 
Tranona said:
Maybe that is all it needed. The company has a good reputation. As already suggested these engines rarely need any attention to the head throughout their life. No doubt the seller will explain why the head was removed in the first place and what other work was carried out. The the buyer could make his own decision as to whether it is suitable for him.
Click to expand...

I dare say it is all that was deemed necessary and it's all they said they did, but you said it was overhauled, it isn't.

I did one of these about 18 months ago (they do need work at times, the same as any engine). It was pressure tested, skimmed, new valve seats, valves, springs and seals. That's overhauled, in my book.
 
Well, this engine probably has about 1800 2B97BDD2-51A2-4C82-B231-AEC62B201E82.jpeghours on it. I’m attaching photographs that the mechanic took which he says shows some form of corrosion in there. I don’t think he’s taken the head off yet because he ran out of time.
 
Goofeyfoot said:
Well, this engine probably has about 1800 View attachment 118205hours on it. I’m attaching photographs that the mechanic took which he says shows some form of corrosion in there. I don’t think he’s taken the head off yet because he ran out of time.
Click to expand...
The circled feature is a pushrod and a pushrod tunnel; there are no obvious faults with either, although it's fair to say your engineer is no Patrick Lichfield.
 
Goofeyfoot said:
Well, this engine probably has about 1800 View attachment 118205hours on it. I’m attaching photographs that the mechanic took which he says shows some form of corrosion in there. I don’t think he’s taken the head off yet because he ran out of time.
Click to expand...
To me that looks to be simply a rough surface of the original casting. There should only be oil present in there, nothing that would cause corrosion. Is the engine running OK? Has the mechanic spotted this while doing a routine service or do you have running issues?
 
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