Volvo KAD42 upgrade to 43?

[Cashbuyer]

Am I correct in thinking that there is an upgrade available to turn Volvo KAD42 into 43?

It seems from the forumites that the KAD42 is not well liked and was better as a 43?

42's on a 1996 Sealine with drives. Might the issues have been sorted or is that just wishful thinking?

 

[scottie]

Not an option

With the method of designating engines that VP used at that time 4 being the size rounded up in litres and 2 then 3 being major changes then I would suggest that without checking part books it would not be a viable option but if rebuilding then it may be able to fit some of the upgrades but?
Volvo Paul may well be able to give more details.

 

[Greg2]

We had KAD42's on our last boat and didn't have any real issues. They were the 42B's, which on a '96 boat I would expect yours to be so maybe some of the issue with the 42A's were ironed out.

I am not really sure what the difference between the engines is - they have the same output (230hp) and there are one or two obvious differences such as the coolant header tank being bigger on the 43 (apparently considered to be a bit small on the 42 but ours was okay) and the supercharger air pipe is metal on the 43 and rubber on the 42. Not sure if there were any major mechanical differences.

Plenty of 42's about and I haven't heard of ay real problems. Thing is if you look hard enough someone will have a tale of woe for virtually every engine.

 

[Cashbuyer]

Thanks Greg

Yes, that seems to be the danger of forums. I've noticed for one bad comment there will always be a positive. A bit like proverbs. Although having said that, I have come across more negative comments and issues for the 42. And it's interesting that the boats for sale with the 42's seem to be cheaper or hanging around. Perhaps that is the 'power' of the internet and rumour and scaremongering drive prices down and buyers away unecessarily.

If I read and took as gospel everything posted on here, I wouldn't buy anything

 

[Wiggo]

Well, the fact that they produced the 43 implies that there was something on the 42 that could be improved...

AFAIK, the external air plumbing was reworked to reduce noise, and they changed the belts and pulleys a bit, but I think the main reworking was to internals: improved piston cooling being the main one, from memory.

 

[DavidJ]

I believe there were some head gasket problems which were sorted on later 42's. Maybe it was one of the differences between the 42A and 42B.

 

[mbird]

We have a pair of KAMD42A's (1992) and after a faultless run from Norfolk to St Kats and back again at the weekend, our starboard engine suddenly decided the coolant should actually be in the exhaust just as we re-entered Gt Yarmouth harbour. We are now awaiting the services of a professional, but it would seem the head gasket is the most likely candidate.