Volvo MD2 Replacement

[JMBaker]

I'm looking to replace a 1966 Volvo MD2 in a 35 ft wooden sloop I've just bought.

I'm thinking of a reconditioned engine and was wondering if anyone had any experience or reason not to. It is about £2k difference based on what I've learned at Southampton.

The other question is does anyone know of any postings about the different engine choices. I know Yanmar is a global name and generally loved for newer engines, Volvo Penta respected but expensive -- any experience with Beta, Westerbeke or Vetus.

Thanks,

John

 

[Mirelle]

How bad is the MD2? Mine is the same age and still running and if your water pump unit is still good.....

The MD2 unlike the MD2B seems almost indestructible.

But apart from that I have pretty much settled on the 29hp Nanni (same size boat as you) when I can afford to replace it, which will be the end of next season at the earliest.

 

[dickh]

Varous choices on new engines - Nanni and Beta are based on KUBOTA industrial engines - well proven engines and similar prices but compare warranty/spares.
Volvo Penta 2030(29HP) is based on a Perkins designed, built in Japan engine which has been marinised by Volvo - don't be put off by "expensive spares comments", a recent survey on spares prices did not place Volvo as the most expensive - but it does depend on what you require.
Vetus is a marinised Mitsubishi engine, again with a good reputation.
A lot will depend on layout of your engine bay, don't forget you might have to have a new prop and shaft, couplings, silencer, exhaust pipe, water trap, gooseneck etc and you could also fit a leak proof shaft seal while your at it.
Yanmar also have a good reputation.
If you fit a reconditioned engine you will still have an old engine, a new engine will be a modern unit, more reliable, smoother, quieter, economical etc etc. and you should not have to have any major maintenance for many years.


dickh
I'd rather be sailing...

 

[Peterduck]

I would not recommend a secondhand, even a reconditioned engine. as one marine mechanic put it to me, that boat engines do not wear out, they rust out from the water jacket toward the oilier parts of the engine. This was after I had a pinhole leaking water into my combustion chamber in my old BMC Commander. I have re-engined with a 40 hp Kubota industrial engine, [the Nanni and Beta marinised versions not being available here in Oz] and marinised it myself for roughly half of the cost of a comparable Volvo. The Kubota is wonderful; it starts immediately, as soon as the first injector squirts, it's away!

 

[JMBaker]

Thanks for the comments folks. I think a bit part of the decision will be how old the available reconditioned engines are and if I put them in I have to replace everything else!

Looks like the exhast needs to be modernised. It is an MD2 and still running so I'm tempted to carry-on -- not sure if there is a raw-water-corroding-through-to the-cylinders test. At least not that I've heard of.

Thanks for the comments -- if you hear of a 1 year old Yanmar that is getting ripped out of a boat for some untold reason, let me know.

John

John

 

[Mirelle]

I did ask the most sensible-looking chapo on the Volvo stand at the Boat Show about that; he said they did not know of any case of an MD2 corroding through. The castings, and the waterways, are pretty massive, when compared to later engines. The usual "mods" are to fit a water injected exhaust bend if you dont have one (I did'nt), fit an alternator and use the Dynastart as a starter motor only. My water pump casing is corroding but apart from that the engine is fine.

 

[PaulAG]

I have an old (1972) model MD2C in my Centaur. About 3 years ago it was blowing a bit of black smoke and starting was a bit sluggish. Outcome was two new cylinder heads - all well but a bit expensive. Bores were hardly oval at all - well within the tolerances in the workshop manual. Then fitted fresh water cooling with outlet to calorifier and to car heater body + computer fan for some internal heating - great and works well. Last summer alternator blew, new Adverc kit fitted with astonishing results re. battery charging, as original alternator only 40 amps output - 90 A now!! On tickover when Adverc unit cuts in with low batteries you can certainly notice the extra work the engine is required to do!
The only real problem is that the older engines are noisier, less fuel efficient and weigh in pretty heavy for a given power output. If funds short (when are they not!) advise to keep it running as they seem not to wear out!


PaulAG