Perkins 4.108- What's it worth

[Boat44]

I have finaly done it and bought a new engine to replace my perkins 4.108. We eventually went for he Beta 50 (I like red!)

The new engine has realy been prompted by a desire not to have to do maintenance on a 30 year old Perkins. That said it has been reliable and is rather robust (running on leaking high pressur fule lines last year and seemed happy enough that I didn't notice!!!)

So, now I will have 4.108 to shift on. I have had suggestions from £500 - £3000. Don't belive either so... any ideas?

It runs fine, belches a bit of smoke and only leaks a little

I would like to get a general idea as any "extra" above the £500 would go to pay for a 2nd alternator to be fitted and all the associated gubins, and it would be nice to do that when the new engine is fitted.

Ta
A

 

[Dockhead]

So, now I will have 4.108 to shift on. I have had suggestions from £500 - £3000. Don't belive either so... any ideas?

It runs fine, belches a bit of smoke and only leaks a little

Only leaks a little??!! You need to urgently consult a Perkins tech! Definitely something wrong with it!

These are great motors, bombproof and extremely long-lived, real classics. I had one with the hour meter broken and stuck at 8,000 hours when I bought it. Ten years and oceans later, when I sold it, it was still running perfectly, with no failures and no significant repairs in the intervening years. The only negative thing about it disappeared as soon as I discovered using Pampers in the engine compartment bilge.

They are widely used and widely loved and I'm sure you'll find it to be in great demand. I suppose the value will be closer to the higher, than the lower number you mention.

 

[nimbusgb]

I bought a running marinised 4-108 with alternator and starter for £200.

How many hours does yours have on it?

 

[dovekie]

Sold a running 30 year old one (which had a two year old injector pump) on Ebay recently, £750.

 

[Sybarite]

You've got the Beta now but locally here they recommend the Lombardini to replace Perkins as it uses same engine mounts and so is cheaper to install...

 

[gardenshed]

I bought one two years ago as a non running lump for spares & paid £200.

I thought that was exceptional value as the heat exchanger alone is worth £650, and there is value (to me as the owner of a 4-108) in all the other spares that I can get from it.

If your's is running well, I question why you are changing it, but that aside, I'd have thought you'd get around £1,000. If you don't get enough, then break it down:
Injection pump £200
Heat exchanger £200
set of fuel lines £50
water pump £50
cylinder head £200
you get my drift .....

 

[Tranona]

I would think somewhere above £1500. Best to sell it while it is still running in the boat. Free ad in Boats and Outboards will likely find a buyer quickly. Advertised my Yanmar there and got serious buyers within 24 hours.

 

[Boat44]

Thanks for all your thoughts. Cheered my up on a Monday

Might now be able to afford full fit of 2nd alternator this year. Keep the little one happy watching DVDs!

 

[clyst]

Sorry for the thead drift but I have a 4108 which has an annoying oil leak from the sump fwd and aft "rope" gasket . Is it worth taking the lump out to refit ?? (It would be a pig of a job) Or will it still leak and my effort wasted ?? Comments please.

 

[rich]

I took both mine out in 2004, stripped down and rebuilt with all new gaskets, well worth doing. engines are 1974, and start on the button.

 

[nimbusgb]

Sorry for the thead drift but I have a 4108 which has an annoying oil leak from the sump fwd and aft "rope" gasket . Is it worth taking the lump out to refit ?? (It would be a pig of a job) Or will it still leak and my effort wasted ?? Comments please.

The one still in our boat has the same problem, leaking from aft crankshaft seal. i am considering dropping the sump in place to try and sort it out without having to pull the whole lump.

On the other hand i have a tray under the engine, catch the leakage and just have to remember to check the oil frequently

 

[freedom44]

Perkins 4108

I sold my 10yr old recon 4107 (ie probably 25 yrs old in total) on ebay for £500 and was pleased!! I also replaced with a Beta 50hp with 2 alternators. New boat!! Goes 7knts into the wind at 2000 revs.
Check the sump depth carefully as we didn't specify a shallow one, which resulted in quite a lot of serious hacking about.
Whatever they say, it sits further forward, especially with the 2nd alternator, which meant we had to move the bulkhead.
Good luck and allow about 2 months!!!