Perkins 6354

[CMWS]

I know there has been a lot written about the 6354 on here but I'm a little unclear as to which version is which (dot 2, dot 4, T, HT etc) so I'm having difficulty figuring out which comments are relative to me...

My scenario is that I am looking at buying a nice old displacement fishing boat that is fitted with an early 80's naturally aspirated 6354 (horsepower unknown). The engine is said to be in excellent running condition with good service history etc.

The boat will be required to be 100% reliable as usage is expected to be fairly high and potentially commercial.

So my question is, is this a good engine for this application I.e. Old boat plodding along all day at about 8 knots?

Is there anything particular to look out for or should I expect to have to re power in the not too distant future? What is the parts availability like? And finally, if a re power were necessary, is there a replacement that will drop straight in for sensible money (it's not viable to re power her with a new motor).

All thoughts welcomed!

 

[Greg2]

The HT was the 'horizontal' version i.e. the engine was effectively built so that it laid on its side to reduce height. We had a Broom Ocean 37 with a pair fitted. They were used extensively by a Broom in the 37 Continental, Ocean and a Crown and were typically 145hp. There were some later one updated to 175hp (I think) but it was effectively the same engine.

My understanding is that the 'T' was the standard 'upright' engine, which is probably what is fitted to the boat you are interested in.

Good engines capable of lots of hours but parts becoming more difficult to source would be my summary but there may be more knowledgeable people along to offer comment

 

[Latestarter1]

I know there has been a lot written about the 6354 on here but I'm a little unclear as to which version is which (dot 2, dot 4, T, HT etc) so I'm having difficulty figuring out which comments are relative to me...

My scenario is that I am looking at buying a nice old displacement fishing boat that is fitted with an early 80's naturally aspirated 6354 (horsepower unknown). The engine is said to be in excellent running condition with good service history etc.

The boat will be required to be 100% reliable as usage is expected to be fairly high and potentially commercial.

So my question is, is this a good engine for this application I.e. Old boat plodding along all day at about 8 knots?

Is there anything particular to look out for or should I expect to have to re power in the not too distant future? What is the parts availability like? And finally, if a re power were necessary, is there a replacement that will drop straight in for sensible money (it's not viable to re power her with a new motor).

All thoughts welcomed!

If you are dealing with a naturally aspirated motor you will have few problems and if vessel has a N/A Dot 4 motor it will be particularly nice as this used a simple off the shelf Bowman exhaust manifold. If engine was fitted in the early 80's very likely to be a Dot 4, real simple to see by the cast alloy rocker cover instead of stamped steel.

Older Dot 2 N/A engine is OK other than the cranky old seawater cooled exhaust manifold arrangement which does have a finite life, other than that an OK engine.

T stands for turbocharged and H for horizontal, a whole bunch of nausea not applicable in your case.

Parts available everywhere, commercial factors, but agricultural outlets cheapest and best.

Good luck

 

[CMWS]

Thanks for the replies both... That's really helped put my mind at rest after reading some of the horror stories on other 6354 threads. It sounds as though it could be a good motor for my needs.

I think it's a dot 4 engine as it doesn't have the traditional 6354 rocker cover with the 'ridges' (for want of a better word) in it. Is there anything specific to this engine to look out for during a sea trial?

Thanks

 

[fisherman]

Should be about 120 hp, I think, quite highly regarded for a FV. I was told on trial give it a hard run up to max temp, check all readouts and for leaks/rattles, oil in water or vice versa. Anything else is down to ancillary kit like heat exchangers oil coolers, all should be readily replaceable. Perkins used to have very high market penetration in the 70s.

 

[mainshiptom]

I Had a Mainship 40 1981 with two 6354T (175HP) I thought the T was for Turbo's , they are very reliable engines although a bit smelly . the only thing to watch is the up-risers exhaust they tend to rust and cost a bit other wise a solid lump.

Tom