help replace volvo engine

[cutt]

I wonder if anyone could share their experiences replacing the
volvo MD7B engine with any other engine ?

1. How easy is it to take the engine out ?
2. What kind of egine did you use and did you have to redo the
engine mounts ?

thanks,

paul



cutt@netcom.com

[Larry DeMers]

Hi,

I rebuilt my MD7B 2 years ago. THe engine comes out surprisingly easily. Just clear away the bulkhead to starboard of the engine (I had a water filter and the fuel filters and valving mounted there), take polaroid photos of all 4 quadrants of the engine compartment before doing anything else. Then mark and disconnect the wiring harness (some come marked already), fuel and electric supplies, engine kill cable and throttle cable. Then undo all 4 mounting bolts.
I used an old piece of aluminum channel about 6 ft. long to help lift the engine from the mounting studs, and then slide the engine out into the galley area. To make this work, you need the services of the marinas crane. Picture the 6 ft. beam. about 1/3 the way down one end, I attached a lifting ring, which was connected to the crane. This short end also had a short chain witha chain hook attached to it. We first lifted the engine from the transmission end,and blocked it up, then lifted it from the lifting eye on the engine. It basicly swings into the galley,then right out the companionway opening. We had cardboard on hand to act as a bumper betweent he engine and the wood, but there was no real problem.

This whole thing took maybe 45min. to do. Installing it is easy too..just the reverse procedure. It took a bit longer, because we checked the engine alignment carefully.

Good Luck!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

I wonder if anyone could share their experiences replacing the
volvo MD7B engine with any other engine ?

1. How easy is it to take the engine out ?
2. What kind of egine did you use and did you have to redo the
engine mounts ?

thanks,

paul

ldemers@win.bright.net

[Lyn Heiges]

Hi,

I rebuilt my MD7B 2 years ago. THe engine comes out surprisingly easily. Just clear away the bulkhead to starboard of the engine (I had a water filter and the fuel filters and valving mounted there), take polaroid photos of all 4 quadrants of the engine compartment before doing anything else. Then mark and disconnect the wiring harness (some come marked already), fuel and electric supplies, engine kill cable and throttle cable. Then undo all 4 mounting bolts.
I used an old piece of aluminum channel about 6 ft. long to help lift the engine from the mounting studs, and then slide the engine out into the galley area. To make this work, you need the services of the marinas crane. Picture the 6 ft. beam. about 1/3 the way down one end, I attached a lifting ring, which was connected to the crane. This short end also had a short chain witha chain hook attached to it. We first lifted the engine from the transmission end,and blocked it up, then lifted it from the lifting eye on the engine. It basicly swings into the galley,then right out the companionway opening. We had cardboard on hand to act as a bumper betweent he engine and the wood, but there was no real problem.

This whole thing took maybe 45min. to do. Installing it is easy too..just the reverse procedure. It took a bit longer, because we checked the engine alignment carefully.

Good Luck!

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

I wonder if anyone could share their experiences replacing the
volvo MD7B engine with any other engine ?

1. How easy is it to take the engine out ?
2. What kind of egine did you use and did you have to redo the
engine mounts ?

thanks,

paul

Paul,

The Volvo in my CD28 was replaced with a Yanmar 2GM20F. The job is much like the explanation given by Larry DeMers. The engine mount bed was raised about 2.5 inches by placing solid wood stock on top of the stringers where the former engine mounts were used for the orginal Volvo engine. There is stainless steel embedded in the orginal bed and this can be drilled and tapped to provide lifetime secure mounting struts. Then the wood was glassed in and gelcoated to match the oil drip pan in color and new engine mounts for the Yanmar installed. The Yanmar is lighter and easier to install if the alternator is removed to assist in getting it into the engine compartment under the companionway. 4x4 wood stock was used to raise, slide and position the engine in and out and it is less marring to anywood (sole, engine compartment-way, etc.) than the aluminum or steel alternatives.

The 2GM20F is a great engine, reliable, fresh-water cooled and easy to start. The 20-HP is bad either, but don't plan to water ski!

Best Regards,

Lyn Heiges
CD 28 MOON CHILD (#307)



lheiges@compuserve.com