Switch from petrol to diesel?

[Dave Levett]

Hi all, just wondered if anyone could offer me any advice on the feasability of switching my volvo AQ211 petrol over to a smaller powered diesel lump. My main questions are to do with which engines will work with my current outdrive. My boat is a Falcon 22SPC, with a 5 litre V8.

 

[Actionmat]

Nanni would have a suitable lump. If you're changing for fuel economy reasons, would an LPG conversion be feasible?

 

[[2068]]

Which outdrive do you have?
Later AQ211's were hooked up to SP/DP drives that were the same as fitted to diesel engines like the KAD32 (170hp), which would be a good candidate to replace an AQ211 with, if you can find a good one, assuming it will fit in the engine bay.
Props will probably have to be changed too.

 

[Bandit]

The Best would be a D3 220 HP with a DPS drive at 363kg a pokey little diesel.

The next engine up would be the D4 225hp DP at 644 kg which is just too heavy although this engine with a DPH goes up to 300kg.

Don't touch a second hand Mk1 D3.

The reality is if your V8 and drive are running well it will not increase the value of boat by fitting a new diesel and outdrive and this is a costly affair changing over even with a px on the old engine and drive.

Probably you would do better looking to sell the 23 as it is and buy a Falcon 28 with a single diesel often with Kad42 or Kad 43's. or a similar boat.

 

[Canopy Locked]

Could you take out the diesel engine - have a GRP "pod" made for the transom and attach an outboard (or 2)?

 

[oldgit]

"Probably you would do better looking to sell the 23 as it is and buy a Falcon 28 with a single diesel often with Kad42 or Kad 43's. or a similar boat."

+1. Have fun with the boat you have,but when the urge to change starts hammering on the door, find the extra dough and move up to a diesel.
Better economy,better range and the worry of obtaining fuel at the end of any decent journey disappears.
All marinas/ports have diesel. As opposed to a handy supermarket selling petrol at less than stratospheric prices.

 

[Chris_d]

Presume you are looking at putting a small (40/50hp) diesel in for river use, this has some merit but unless you intend to keep the boat a long time you will
never save enough in fuel to justify the outlay. The boat will also become noisy, vibratory and smellier, petrol engines in small cruisers are very good on the river
quiet, smoke free and don't mind running slow under little load for long periods. I have seen similar small sports cruisers converted to small diesels
on the river Thames and they just become unsellable oddities. I know it seems like a great idea but it makes so much more sense to just buy a diesel cruiser.

 

[Mermaid-Jon]

I'm not sure which model of sterndrive is fitted to this engine, but if it's a 280, 290, SX or DX then the FNM diesel engine range are available with adaptor kits to couple direct to the Volvo leg. If you need more details, call Julian at the Poole office on 01202-677776.

 

[PCUK]

Well, you've heard all the megabucks advice, if you are looking for a sensibly priced job, think about a marinised vehicle engine.

 

[Spi D]

"Probably you would do better looking to sell the 23 as it is and buy a Falcon 28 with a single diesel often with Kad42 or Kad 43's. or a similar boat."

+1. Have fun with the boat you have,but when the urge to change starts hammering on the door, find the extra dough and move up to a diesel.
Better economy,better range and the worry of obtaining fuel at the end of any decent journey disappears.
All marinas/ports have diesel. As opposed to a handy supermarket selling petrol at less than stratospheric prices.

+1

Far better budget, far less hassle. Al uncertainties out, chance to select from wide range of makes & models.

 

[wipe_out]

If you are doing it for fuel economy reasons I would think the cost of the conversion would buy you a LOT of petrol..

 

[Elessar]

Hi all, just wondered if anyone could offer me any advice on the feasability of switching my volvo AQ211 petrol over to a smaller powered diesel lump. My main questions are to do with which engines will work with my current outdrive. My boat is a Falcon 22SPC, with a 5 litre V8.

I've twice re engined from petrol to diesel.
My question, what's your motivation for doing it?

 

[Momac]

Petrol engines run at higher revs than diesel , usually.
I think you would need to change the leg as the gear ratio will not be correct for a diesel.

Better to buy a boat with a diesel engine already fitted.