Which new engine for a Westerly Pentland?

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riosdad

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Hello all,
I need to re-engine my Pentland as my old trusty MD2B is smoking worse than ever and running on more lub oil than fuel, I've put on reconditioned heads, changed the piston rings (already oversize) but the cylinder blocks are just too far gone to keep the oil in her.
So that's the reason that I'm asking for any opinions on which engine I should go for next, I have looked at Beta28's, Volvo D1-30's and Yanmar 3YM30's. I would like to change to a more powerful engine along these lines.
Has anyone ever had the experience of replacing their MD2B with newer more powerful units?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks, Alan.
 
Sorry to interuppt, can you not fit liners to the bores of this model of engine? Would have thought it would be much less disruptive and costly than a new engine?
Just trying to be helpful

Mal
 
Mal,
Many Thanks for your suggestion but another factor to consider is supply of parts for my MD2B, It's getting difficult to find the big parts now, if I could fit liners (I don't know if I could) I'd be waiting on the next part to go.
She's had her day!
Many thanks again.
Alan..
 
Whichever engine you choose, I have a Yanmar 2GM20F, make sure that the configuration of your engine matches the access to your engine compartment. e.g. how easy is it to reach dipstick, oil filter, fuel pump, water pump. My (limited) experience indicates that some makes of engine are more suited to a particular layout than others. For example, if you have a removable panel on the port side, it's handy if the engine maintenance points are on the port side also (not like mine). To me, this is more important than power/weight ratio or fuel consumption. Although a good reliability record is an asset. As someone else suggested the Westerly owners club can probably offer specific advice.
 
If going for the Beta then remember they do "Atomic" feet which fit the beds....Also get the high rise exhaust to reduce the chance of water back flow in a low mounted engine and make it easy to get the exaust across the back to old one. You may want large alternator...All extras /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Sorry to interuppt, can you not fit liners to the bores of this model of engine?
**************************************************

This engine has solid blocks. It was the next model MD11 that had wet liners. Not sure if a [--word removed--] version can be made???

The MD 2 relies on rebores of the blocks and oversize pistons and rings. There used to be a couple of sizes of oversize pistons and rings but heaven knows what is now available
 
I changed an MD21A for a Yanmar for the same reason - shortage of parts. Do take Ghostly's advice.

Check if you need a new propeller, size, direction of rotation, gear ratio. Check the gearbox for lever direction forward/reverse, it might operate the other way round, or it might not care.

Do check which side the exhaust exits. The Yanni is on port and the Volvo was on starboard, so I had to sacrifice battery box space to fit mine. Check for the diameter of the exhaust pipe. I had to push and shove a new larger diameter pipe through, which also meant changing the water lift and exhaust exit. See if the raw water inlet is on the same side as the pump. Check the drawings for dimensions from your bed rails. I lowered mine and added a Python drive to lower the CG and win space above the engine. Watch out for the alternator, it often sticks out and may be on the opposite side to your existing wiring. Same for the fuel filters.

Best of luck
 
Beta every time- quieter, a lot less vibration , engine mounts at a sensible price, Kubota spares can be sourced at non-marine prices, choice of gearboxes, helpful assistance at the end of a phone, and the factory will modify engine mounts to suit your beds if the installation has been done before, and most Westerly variants have.
 
Yanmars are more compact and have been designed for Marine use. They are light and come in two and three cylinder which is suitable for your size boat. On my previous boat (Bruce Roberts) I replaced the old British Leyland 4 cyl diesel with the Yanmar 3 cylinder, the engine was excellent, powerful and very economical. My present Boat has a Volvo MD2C and when it due for replacement I will go for the Yanmar; however, they are more expensive.

As the others suggest, it is very important to consider direction of rotation of the current propellor. To my knowledge, your Westrley has plennty of space for access. Another thing to consider is that the 3 cylinder engines are more smooth and less vibration than the 2 cylinder.

Good luck
 
There is not a lot to choose between the 4 major brands, but Beta seem to have the edge in the re-engine market because that is what they target. Their range of mounts, gearboxes alternators, exhausts etc allow you to customise more easily. You will probably find that they have a price advantage as well. They always get excellent reports here.

Be prepared to replace the whole drivetrain, coupling, shaft, prop as well as the exhaust. Not only will some items be unsuitable but new items are so much better.
 
I have just purchased a Beta engine due to pick up on Wednesday .Of all the people I contacted for prices and information on fitting the new engine Beta were easily the best
 
have a look at an isuzu, changed an md3 when it gave up and fitted an isuzu, never looked back,they do marine engines, not just canal boat engines, and a lot cheaper than the others
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sorry to interuppt, can you not fit liners to the bores of this model of engine? Would have thought it would be much less disruptive and costly than a new engine?
Just trying to be helpful

Mal

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with you - having gone the route of new bearers, shaft, coupling, mounts .... it's not only the cost of the engine - it's the other stuff added on necessary to fit it. Plus of course making sure you get the right prop for boat / engine combo.
 
I have a Pentland & sent the 35 year old MD2B to the deep 6 about 2 years ago. I had rebuilt it a couple of times in the 10-15 years I had it & the cost of rebuilding was getting close to half the cost of replacing it! I had a Yanmar insatlled, a 3ym30 (IIRC) and it is superb.

Quieter, smoother, more responsive, lighter & smaller, better in every way. Probably more fuel efficient too, but I use so little I haven't tried measuring it. I now have so much more confidence in the engine it makes sailing a lot less stressful. But I do miss the ability to handstart - however I do now replace my batteries more regularly!!
 
two points about Betas

1. If you go for the larger alternator, particularly with an oil pressure gauge, do check the final width. The combination on my BD722 was significantly wider than I anticipated requiring a mod to the port side engine cover. The largish oile pressure sensor (digital) prevents the alternator swinging in completely so making the pump belt more difficult to change.
2. Propellor choice. My BD2 had a LH prop but the Beta a RH prop with different dia. and pitch. Do take care in determining these numbers. Beta had in 2000 a limited range of pitches and I had to repitch from 9 to 7.5 inches to get the loading right.
 
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