Re-engine Moody 31 Mk1

[Landale]

Anybody done it? - currently I have a vp 2003 which needs a resonable amount of work done on it - crankshaft seal, injector clean and timing reset as I think one of the injector pumps which has been replaced may have timing issues.


It starts first time but only revs to 2k2 rpm on load (may be over propped?). Some - not too much white smoke (unburnt deisel). Oil fouls really quickly. Gearbox seems to need a significant push to put it into neutral(oil clean no sparkly bits or grot).

Has about 2k4 hours.

My reasons for considering replacement are:
a.) Fair amount of work needs doing now and I forsee further work in the near future (stern gland replacement etc)
b.) I want to do more longer single handed passages and in familar waters I'm fine about the engine, but it does not enjoy my confidence.
c.) I'm retiring and I want to enjoy the boat and sailing not the grief of the engine /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
d.) I'd rather spend money on a new engine that would give me (I hope) a number of reliable years that repeatedly spending on the existing one.

Overall the boat is well maintained and in good nick (Hull/Rigging/Sails etc) so spending the money is worthwhile and not the main concern.

Thinking about a VPD1-30 as it has the same bed width.

Two questions:

1.) The main advantage of the VP is it has the same bed width but I'm not sure about the length, whilst I could measure the 2003 on the boat where can I find the vp2003 dimensions on the web?

2.) What other engines? Betamarine/yanmar etc has anybody put one in a Moody 31 Mk1?

Many thanks and looking forward to your experience and suggestions,

J

 

[dickh]

Firstly, are you a member of the Moody Owners Association? They have a technical section in which someone will almost certainly have done a re-engine on your model. It's worth it to join just for the information you can glean.
I have a Moody 33 and re-engined with a Beta Marine 25HP. Very helpful company and one of the few companies who were willing to alter the mounts on the engine to suit the bearers on my boat, so I didn't have to rebuild the bearers(apart from raising the height which was easy). Beta also provide an oil sump pump and the servicing points are easy to get at. You should be able to negotiate a good deal at the boat show if you are quick!

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

When I re-engined my boat I phoned VP for a dimension diagram for the ancient MD2B and they supplied by return. Perhaps they can do that for you for the old and new. In fact I re-engined with another manufacturer, but did find the different scales of the plans a nuisance as I compared the different offerings. In the end I made cardboard profile cutouts to decide which motor would fit with the least furniture alteration. Hope this helps.

 

[Skyva_2]

Hi,
The MOA Technical Library actually does not have an article on re-engining a Moody 31, but that does not mean no member has done it. It is well worth asking on the MOA Information Exchange, you do not have to be a member, but you do have to register as auser, just like ybw.com. Take lots of pics as you go along and yours could be the first article on the subject!

http://www.moodyowners.net

 

[ditchcrawler]

I Have seen two M31 Mk1,s with new engines .One had the Beta 28HP & the other the Nanni 28HP which are both from the same Kubota block I understand.Both look to be straightforward replacements.Both owners were pleased with the engine.

 

[Ruffles]

I have a M31 MkII. The MD2003 was replaced with an MD2030 before I bought her. The gearbox was replaced at the same time. New bearer holes were drilled and an anti-syphon device fitted but that's about it.

I've heard of another boat where an MD2030 was fitted but they reused the original gearbox.

Be aware that the MD2003 (I believe) has all service components on the front of the engine and the engine bay is optimised for this. Access is excellent at the front, ok to starboard and lousy to port. I would let this drive your decision. And the price of Volvo parts....

 

[ebbtide]

My gut feeling is that your problems sound minor and could be remedied at a fraction of the cost of installing a new engine.
Seriously, one mistake I made was not to have the Volvo on my last surveyed prior to purchase (the gung-ho attitude of the vendor should have warned me) so when compression failed I was caught unawares and needed a rebore. The local agent pointed out that it took 2 men to lift out my old engine which was good for several rebores. but he'd carry a modern replacement on his shoulder!.
If your engine is of the good and solid vintage then spend £1k on it - I don't know about crankshaft seals but injectors and timing cost peanuts in the overall scheme of things.
I speak as someone who has always relied on professionals to maintain them. I still do, and tho my 1965 Perkins hardly runs like a wristwatch it attracts compliments from anyone within earshot.
Props are another black art, but can be sorted eventually.
Oh, I share your singlehanded concerns too.
Do PM me if you wish.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Any of the modern diesels that will fit will be fine. I know lots of people swear by Beta, but Nanni is the same engine and has a nicer control panel IMHO. See what fits and which you can get a good price on. The boat show is a good place to start haggling.

VP get cursed regularly, but when we rebuilt our 2040 the parts were amazingly cheap. The whole rebuild (due to salt water ingress through the exhaust from the previous owners faulty installation) cost less then £1k. Pistons and valves were extremely competitively priced.

I must contrast this with the £100 for a head gasket for a previous MD7A along with other parts which were eye-wateringly expensive. However I also think people ought to price engine parts for Yanmar etc when they start throwing insults at the VP spares pricing...

 

[wotayottie]

The problems you list really are relatively minor and even with a rapacious south coast engine dealer should be way less than the cost of a new engine. DIY would be a low hundreds I would have thought. So you are putting several thousand pounds price on peace of mind. 2400 hours is equivalent to maybe 50k miles on a car - there's been a thread about engine life elsewhere on the forums in the last few days

Replacing an engine can be fairly costly if the engine is of a different design from a different maker. Issues like engine beds are obvious, but you may have to move exhausts, wiring, water inlet, plus tank connections and shaft length. For that reason when replacing a Yanmar I went for another Yanmar.

Finally, if you do go ahead and your 2003 is fresh water cooled, can I buy some of your old engine to convert mine over to fresh water? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif