Page 1 of 1
Crusader Engines
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 10:23 am
by mytrojan
I have noticed that many of the 80's Trojan posted have Crusader engines. Not knowing too much about them, have they been around long and do they use a Ford of GM block? Are they as reliable/durable as the others?
What are some of the things to look for with these engines if you were buying a 80's era Trojan?
thanks.
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:22 am
by JuiceClark
Crusaders are usually considered the best gas marine engines. They use GM blocks but, I think, they may have used others years ago. Here's a good general article about them:
http://www.yachtsurvey.com/GasEngines.htm
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:39 am
by Stripermann2
Yep, as Juice says...
True Blue, is probably the best, especially their cooling systems.
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:10 pm
by prowlersfish
Good engines .
Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 3:06 pm
by 1967 seavoyager
I still like my Interceptor's.
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 8:15 am
by mtwolf
I have a friend that just replaced his engines with Crusader. He went from using twenty two gallons of fuel an hour to fourteen gallons. One heck of a fuel savings. These were complete engines and not cheap but worth it.
John
F-31
Galloway Creek Marina
Middle River, MD
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 12:13 pm
by LSP
John ...what was he running prior to replacement?
Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 10:48 pm
by mtwolf
Will,
They were 350 GM's but I am not sure what brand??? Old guadrajet carbs may have been half the problem. The bowl plugs always leaked on the damn things. I know his did for a fact.
The Crusaders were complete engines, carbs, starters, alternators, etc. Eight grand a pop, drop in, hook up the wires, oil gas and go. He did the work himself though. Filled up at Baltimore Yacht Club, went out and ran an hour and then filled again. This was a thirty one Concord. Keith has put a whole lot of work into that boat. He knows he will never get his money out, if he sells it, but he is happy with what he has. He is not getting the rpm's from the engines that he should, so he is going to pull the boat next weekend and either change props or have his props reworked.
John
Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:06 am
by aaronbocknek
hi john, i sent you an email at your regular email addy..... anyway, i'd love to see that guys concorde..... they were built like tanks from what i remember.
hope you and i can meetup soon. it's all in the email.
take care.
aaron
oh, will, have you launched yet? can't wait to tell you about how great the folks were at edwards boat yard. the new ball valves allow so much more water flow into the engines i think.
aaron