rebuild vs replace?

[rtbates]

Rather than hijack a thread on engine replacement I thought I'd ask my question in a new thread.

I've noticed that a bunch of folks are going to replacement motors in their CDs. Why? Or more correctly why not rebuild? I always thought diesels were long range blocks at least compared to gasoline engines. Do you replace or rebuild your car engine when it gets tired? Most are rebuilt not replaced. So why the seemily large number of folks replacing that tired diesel and putting up with all the hassles of engine beds, props, pointing the wrong way, etc rather than a simple rebuild. Is it the fact that it needs to be removed to be rebuilt? Or is it the fact that a diesel mechanic does the actual rebuild rather than buying an off the self rebuilt short/long block?

I'm very curious to learn what I'm missing here, so please jump in and educate me.

Thanks for listening and especially if you care to repond.

randy

[Joe CD MS 300]

I have never been though it but just from digesting what I have read I think there are a couple of common reasons: 1. Underpowered boats; 2. Old models that are difficult to maintain and get parts for; 3. Smaller, lighter engines with the same or more HP and more room in the engine compartment for maintenance.

Having chartered a lot of boats, some of which were extremely underpowered I have come to appreciate boats with adequate power.

[Parfait's Provider]

The short answer for me was that I was looking at a rotting bed and WWII technology, complete with leaks, and a diminishing supply of rebuilders, parts, and dealers. I guess if I had been very serious about going with a very popular block, I might have gone with Beta Marine's Kubota that is used in many tractors, but Yanmar has the majority of the marine market world-wide, so it is hard to ignore.

I sold my Perkins 4-108 to someone who needed a replacement for his which had over 7,000 hours. He planned to have mine repaired as necessary and then to replace the old engine and have that rebuilt as a spare. The phrase "more money than sense" came to mind, but I was glad to be rid of the leaking blue monster.

It probably cost me 2X or 3X, but a rebuilt Perkins 4-108 isn't worth even 1/8th in my estimation.

[darmoose]

LABOR costs in south florida are $100 per hour and they are talkin 40-60 hours to rebuild plus parts!!!!!!

darrell
s/v mystic rose

[Tom Blanchard]

Last winter I decided to replace the tired perkins 4-108 in my CD 36 with a Yanmar 3JH4 which replaced the 3JH3 and is used in the Robinhood 36. Partially on Ken's advice and after pricing and considering Volvo, Westerbeke and Universal, I went with Yanmar. The original steel beds were in good enough shape to be cleaned up and adapted to the new engine. Although some modifications had to be made in the mount adapters, after about 40 hours running time the 3JH4 is smooth, quiet, easy to start and dependable. There are no oil leaks. The Perkins was sold for parts and the transmission is going into a rebuilding Alberg 37.
It's probably 2x the cost of rebuild, but if you're going to keep the boat and want to enjoy it, go for new.

[rtbates]

I'm beginning to understand. Especially how lucky I am to have a bullet proof 1GM in my 25D that's running like watch, a loud vibrating one! The costs of repowering/rebuilding is just down right amassing.

thanks guys

randy

[Mitch F]

Darrell -
When we looked at rebuilding our MD7A we too were shocked by the labor estimate at the local boatyards. In the end we hauled the engine out and brought it to a place that primarily works with big rig diesels where the labor cost was less than a third of the boatyard estimate. Just thought I'd mention it in case you hadn't looked at this possibility.
That little kicker looked pretty funny when I dropped it off and sat it down next to two engines that were bigger than my whole car! A half dozen mechanics who were used to working on 18 wheelers came out to look at it and call it "cute." The guy who did the rebuild told me that when he finally got it running all work in the shop came to a halt as the entire crew came over to watch and coo over it. I must say that the MD7A looked pretty big to me when we were trying to muscle it into the trunk of my car! Its all your frame of reference I guess.

- Mitch

[Phil Shedd]

Mitch

A fellow club member removed their M25 from a catalina 30. They got the engine rebuilt by a local rebuilder and then installed the engine them selves. There cost to do this was around 1700.00 Can.

To me being a mechanical type rebuilding is the way to go.

IMHO

Phil