Repowering education continues...

[JuiceClark]

Well, that dude with new, Volvo rebuilds nearby turned out to be a bit flakey. Good thing because I learned more about it this week:

I found a great place to buy diesels...have 2 friends that bought power there. This ad is the one I'm considering but they have dozens:

http://www.goldcoastpower.com/product_d ... t_ID=22016

At this horsepower (200) I can keep my shafts, running gear and only have to change the pitch a little on my 4-blade props if I can find 1.5 to 1 gears. Besides getting all new gauges and cleaning out the gas tank...I think it will be almost like a "drop-in." Of course, the tooth-fairy may come tonight as well. It seems like they should fit from the measurements, height the only problem, but if it's close I can raise the floor 2 inches.

Anyway, for $12k it's worth a try. I'll sell the new 454 I'm having all the trouble with to my mechanic. If anyone wants the other (counter-rotating with 2.5 to 1 tranny), I'm sure I'll sell it cheap. It has about 350 hours, a new impeller, new manifolds and has been perfect.

I wonder if 200hp is enough to please? If not, I suppose I could add turbos to get 270hp...but then the 1 3/8 shafts are questionable. I really would like a 20k cruise.

[jav]

Juice,

I see the picture of the engine tag but the other pictures do NOT appear to be of 41B engines. If they are, then it's possible the intake manifolds, air cleaners and turbos have been swapped out. This is what the 41B looks like.



As far as if they're enough... is this for an F-32 or F-36?

[rossjo]

Tony,

Twin 200s will be very marginal in an F36. TAMD means Turbo Aftercooled Marine Diesel, so they already have/had turbos. If not, they are removed and I would avoid them.

I have twin 225HP Cummins 6BTAs, 11:1 VDs, and 17x20 propos on my F32, and would not want less power..

You'll also double the price when you add new trannies ... which you will need. Trojan stuts are too short (close to the hull) to use anything bigger than 17-18" props (please confirm prop distance, as I'm referring to the F32), so you'll have to go to a 1:1 ratio like I did. Most diesels use 1.5:1 and large diameter (preferred), but then you'd need new struts, and a different shaft angle. You could go crazy and install a set of surface drives throught the base of the transom, and use nice big propos and gain a ton of effiecney and throw a great rooster tail - but thats not the Trojan experience.

Do yourself a favor and join BOATDIESEL.com ($25/year). The HorsePower and Prop calculators alone are worth it, but Tony, who is the Diesel boat expert on the site is very knowledegable, as are the 1,000's of threads and articles on diesel boats and re-powers. In addition, there is technical information available on almost any model marine diesel - including sizes, weiht, torque/power curves, etc.

My best advise to a friend with an F36 woul d be a minumum of 2x300HP (twin Cummins 6CTAs would fit), and new transmissions.

[rossjo]

Here is a Cummins 6CTA 8.3L 300HP Marine diesel w/ Turbo and Intercooler w/ 6 month warranty for $11k.

I think your 1 3/8 shafts will handle 300HP.

You'll still need trannies.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cummins- ... dZViewItem

What diameter props can you fit on an F36?

By the way - I have some FlexiTeek on the way .... will let you know how it works out. I'm thinking of doing the floor on my 25 express - reduce glare and add some class!

[JuiceClark]

That's a good looking 6B. I think those used ones I linked you to were made before the civil war.

As I look around and talk to a few salty types, the field narrows. These Cat 3116s are only 2 inches taller than the 6Bs and come with the low-rise tranny. These were just freshened and they want $30k for everything including new panels. I think they'll fit but would love your input. My brother is a big-shot with Cat...hope that would help if I need parts.

http://www.goldcoastpower.com/product_d ... t_ID=22009

Many people aren't too happy with Cats lately. So, I'll going to keep lookin' for a good pair of 6Bs.

About the props....I have 22/19s now. So, the F-36 has enough room for the torque ... but does it have enough for the engines?

Ross,
Thanks for the link on the 6CTA on Ebay...I just sent an email to see if there was a 2nd to sell me too. Lemme' know how that Flexiteek looks.

TC in Sw Florida
1981 F-36

[prowlersfish]

I will give you my 2 cents here 200 hp is to low IMO The 250hp cummins ( B ) seen to work well as do the 300-315 hp . the cumins B it about as tall as you want to go as mine and others are close to the floor ( with a 10 deg down angle gear)
so I don't think the C will work . can't tell you about the volvos
as far as the wheels I am runing 22x22 seens liltle close to the hull but it works with no isues with stock shafts (1.5") and and struts using a 1.5 to 1 gear

as far as gold coast power I belive they broker engines for other people
so I don't know if they will stand behind anything. read the ads they all say repored as good rto or core or etc etc . just becareful

[rossjo]

Also remeber :

You'll need more cooling and Sea-Water-After-Cooled (SWAC) Intercoolers (not Jacket Water, JWAC) to go above 260HP.
http://www.cmspower.com/PubDown.asp?Doc ... n/6BTA.pdf

In addition, the 6BTAs should have the famous "P Pump" (Bosch 7100 - looks like a miniture 6 cylinder engine bolted to the engine). The Lucas CAV pumps found on some (mine) will not go beyond 250HP.

check out http://www.dieselenginemotor.com/diesel ... 980,1.html - $14k w/ trannies

There are ways to achieve 330HP with upgrades, and a friend of mine has a 700HP 6BTA in his Dodge Duelie, and another friend runs 800HP (Bully Dog power, twin tubos & nitrous) in his 205 Dodge daily driver - 12sec 1/4 mile ETs! They are tough, proven engines!

I have the Navistar 7.3L diesel in my Ford Excursion, and love it . Stock (can get more HP) but love 23MPG in my land yacht!

[JuiceClark]

I only get about 17 on my Lincoln Blackwood with the 5.4 gas engine...and it's slow as hell.

I think I got this repower under control. Now, it's just a question of lookin' around and being patient. I can buy fresh 6BTA rebuilds for 11k w/o the gears. So, I'll give it a couple months to see if I can beat that with fresh take-outs.

If no deals pop up, I'll just get going in July. I just ordered new heads for my troubled 454. One of them had an invisible crack and was leaking when hot -- damn it! The engine never went over 145 degrees and only has 110 hours on it! Don't think I ever went even 3400 rpms. GM can bite me!

I'll sell those asap then start the repower. Somebody will get a really good deal on some really fresh big blocks with Floscans on them and new mans and risers...and, of course, new heads.

[rossjo]

I'l give you a set of heads from my old 7.4L from my 25'er ...

[JuiceClark]

Thanks Ross,

With only 100 hours on that engine and BOTH heads leaking, my mechanic has promised to make heads roll and get me some kinda deal on new ones.

We shall see! This IS a great site though ain't it?!

[Danny Bailey]

Juice,
You have my deepest sympathy!! I've been through what you're going through now and it ain't no fun. I even considered buying a 6BT 210 from Goldcoast that had been sunk. Considered buying and rebuilding 8.2 Detroits, 3208 Cats, 3116 Cats, etc, etc. There are loads of used marine diesels out there, but you are better off with gas engines with cracked heads than with some of those 'deals' you read about. I joined boatdiesel.com and researched their archives for six months before I decided on Cummins 6BTA 250's. There are drawings there of different engine / gear configurations with dimensions and weights to help you decide. It was the best $25 I've spent lately.
Danny