Re-engine question

[Fergus]

I have a saildrive - presumably if I replace the engine that also means the SD and prop? I also presume there's no benefit of staying with the same manufacturer? (am inclined to Yanmar)

 

[rob2]

I have no personal experience, but I'm sure when looking through boat details that many engines are grafted onto other manufacturers saildrive legs. I know of one owner who has a Beta on a Volvo leg - so some engine manufacturers do offer the option.
Rob

 

[Topcat47]

Even if you retain the saildrive, you'll probably need a new prop.

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

As said - Beta will match to your old volvo leg - they do a lot of these. They will also make up custom mounts to fit your existing engine bed. Makes fitting a new engine a bit easier.

Its the route I went last winter (replacing MD11C with Beta 1005 - but keeping the 110S) - no regrets so far...

The Beta revs 3600 as opposed to 2600 so with the existing prop and gearing of the saildrive I don't get the full 3600 out of the Beta as its held by the prop - but its pushing me along at hull speed and Beta said there was no problem running at say 2600 as a max (in fact they said it just saves a bit of fuel)

 

[Fergus]

But if the leg is 20 years old prob worth changing it anyway?

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

I did have this dilemma - but had it stripped right down - and it looked like new - no wear at all. And I picked up another one that someone was throwing out for spares a couple of years back - so I have two legs with no real noticeable wear (unlike the old engine) - so in the end I decided to risk it.

If it all goes belly up and I have to get a new leg - well I didn't reckon it would cost a whole load more to get it in 2 bits.

Mind you there is another thread fairly recently with someone doing the same and complaining of an oil leak on the saildrive as soon as they had installed it - so I'd definitley make sure the leg was in good condition !

 

[Channel Ribs]

Is it worth having the engine stripped down and all replacable parts changed?

 

[Topcat47]

A Sweden 41 is a class yacht and one capable of serious mileage, but I do wonder why you're thinking of replacing the engine anyway? I expect an engine to last for years and my 30 year old Volvo only went because there were critical parts subject to rot that couldn't be replaced. there was nothing else that a de-coke and an injector service couldn't have put right.

Similarly marine gearboxes are not highly loaded, and propperly serviced, I'd expect a saildrive in a private yacht to last the life of the hull if properly cared for.

 

[Fergus]

It's been rebuilt once, smokes a lot and is difficult to start from cold, won't rev above 2k - I suspect compression loss which means £££ - could be a better long term investment to replace?

 

[Topcat47]

It rather depends on how much investigation you're prepared to do yourself. Pulling the injectors and doing a compression test will tell you if it's a broken ring or leaky valves. If the head is off and the bores are not scored then the valves are a possible culprit, touching them in with grinding paste and a new head gasket doesn't cost a fortune. Smoke and low revs would make me question timing, but this is one of those matters that requires confidence in the amateur engineer. Black Smoke is unburnt fuel, white is more often water.

If you have to pay a Marine Engineer to do the work for you, a re-engine is almost always better value than a re-build. That way you get a new set of auxhiliary equipment too, which is always a confidence builder.