SWMBO has other ideas...

Dave_Snelson

Dave_Snelson

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Porthmadog / Port Leucate
www.makeyourowngarments.com
Having put CI on the market without telling SWMBO (I didn't think it necessary!) she has declared a vote of no-confidence in selling the boat. Yep, seriously, she has put her foot down and said no way!

Hmm - so got me thinking about engines and LPG and maybe re-engining the boat and investing some TLC (as if it doesn't get enough) in the boats future.

CI has a pair of V6 Vortec 4.3L powered by LPG. Fine. Except LPG hasn't taken off as I thought. Fuel prices look to be on the slide and I don't really need over 400 Gee-Gees to make her go. I guess I could sell the motors (in great nick) and strip out the gas installation.

So...if (and only if) I wanted to fit a pair of physically smaller diesel motors without buying brand new Volvo units (say about 150HP each or less mebbe) and I wanted to buy re-con 4 pot type motors to couple to my existing VP 290 duos, what would the learned panel recommend?

There's lots more to this, but lets keep it confined to motors for now chaps.
 
How about Steyr. Was talking to Mermaid marine earlier today and one around the 150hp mark can be picked up new for about 8 grand.
 
I would think that for 4 pots you would be looking at either AD31's at 150Hp or probably a better bet KAD32's at 170Hp and supecharged for a bit of extra get on the plane punch.

How big is your engine bay? Would it take a couple of 6 cylinder AD41's? At 200 Hp they are more mechanically simply than the later KADs and will have better performance and torque. Both could be matched to your DP drives but you would need to look closely at the gear ratios and torque limits of your current drives as they may not be suitable for Diesels.

Look around for second user engines, you might even find new old stock KAD32s - the VP dealer on the hamble has had one in their reception for the past two years.
 
Steering away from Volvo engines, maybe look into units such as the 2.4ltr transit engines marinised by lancing marine? I think they are 145hp in turbo form and lancing make bellhousings to adapt them to suit volvo drives.
 
she has declared a vote of no-confidence in selling the boat.

Had a conversation with my SWMBO re move the boat, move her to a warmer climate to get more use or sell her........ instant retort was "selling her is not up for discussion!" /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

It's great to have an understanding Admiral! We Are moving her to a safer place? with the riff raff off here! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Tom
 
I fitted a pair of the Lancing 2.4 jobs in a Sunfury that had 171s. These were the earlier 140hp ones, now they are 145hp from a more modern block.
While not the most sophisticated of lumps they worked a treat and sounded wonderful.
Altho nominally down on power, the extra torque made life much easier.

Installation wasnt the easiest but all I guess that the windy may have a little more room in the bay.
You will need to check the distance between the drives and let Mike know first.

You will need to juggle with gear ratios (expensive) or prop sizes (cheaper) to get things right. PM me for details.
 
I have just fitted ad41,s and they are great. If you are looking for the 150hp you could do worse than put Volvo 151 four pots in. You can get them cheap. No issues with 16v head as in the 171. If the belt breaks It does not munch the valves.
It would be likely you would only have to change the props but you might even get away with it. The units are small and fairly bomb proof if you check the rear ports on the head and exhaust for corrosion, but these are repairable.
Get two electronic ignitions which makes them as smooth as a badgers backside and there you have it.
Fuel will be up on a diesel but you would have to use a heck of a lot to balance up the additional cost.
Just an idea but have had several of these and rate them highly for ease of maintenance and longevity. You can also cross match most of the parts easily. Plus you are set up for petrol and you wont have to put return pipes in. Cheers Simon.
 
Lots of good things about KAD32's.
Not sure that they are "physically smaller" than petrol V6's tho /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif They have about the same footprint as a petrol V8.

From Volvo, the only thing smaller would be a D3.

dv.
 
last year I had a similar post on here, asking for advice to replace a single V6 by a diesel,
The forum made me understand that I would never earn back the price of the re-engening; loss on the sale of the petrol engines, and the price of placing the diesel engines.
Besides that, I doubt very much that you will find a "smaller" diesel engine to fit in the space for the V6, especially not an older "second hand" diesel engine.
Finally if the fuel bill is the problem, and you don't really need the 400 gee gee, you could probably use less throttle !?
Personally I would leave the gee gee power in such a nice windy even if I don't really need it.
Another option is to replace the boat together with SWMBO, /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
sorry for being so rude /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I,m glad SWMBO has Her head screwed on properly, yer Old Fart!

Stop mucking about.
By the time yer spends dough on spoiling such a belting boat with puny power.
Get out and use Her more.
How much juice of either type can you buy with the drinking coupons wasted on re engining?

Be very thankfull You have a Great SWMBO.
Sort yerself out Snelson.
Consider this Post a Public Rollocking!
Cheers
K /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
I've re engined 2 boats from petrol to diesel and fitted another 3 engines like for like.
Like for likes are easy, less than a days' work.
Changing the engine is very challenging. Sourcing the little bit that you hadn't anticipated you'd need, many of which need fabricating etc.
It will cost hundreds or even thousands more than you expect in miscellaneous stuff.
With both my re engine projects I ended up with a great boat, but it was only tolerable because I enjoy the engineering aspects - its an escape from my sedentary day job.
If for you it will be a chore or you are paying someone - think very carfully or get a fixed price quote.
 
Mmm - maybe I didn't position this correctly. CI is currently worth (at best and due to current financial pressures) about £16k. Although SWMBO has said no to selling, she would also say no to spending the boats value again on engines.

But thanks anyway (and I am not being sarcy here)
 
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