Yanmar to simply bolt in place to replace my Universal M4-30?

peterxr600 · #1 08-31-2010

I have a Cal 2-30 which originally had in an Atomic 4. This was later repowered with a 25HP Universal M4-30.

I am currently doing a temporary replacement with a Yamaha ME-125 (I know you havent heard of it, nobody and few in Yamaha have), thats why its temporary.

When I save up enough I want to do the "right thing" and put in a Yanmar which will fit easier etc.

I do not mind giving up some HP as speed is not as important as reliability, ease of maintenance, access to spare parts, space requirement.

The actual replacement should be basically plug and play however and if there is a popular 2 cylinder diesel that you would advise might be a better option than the Yanmar please suggest and say why.

Thanks.

mitiempo · #2 08-31-2010

Beta is a good choice. They are reliable, compact, and less expensive than a comparable Yanmar (at least around here). They are based on a Kubota block and parts (except the marinized ones) are available for less from a tractor dealer. They will also do custom mounts to fit your engine beds. I know several who have installed a Beta in the last few years and thay are pleased with the results.
My neighbor will soon replace his Volvo MD2 with a new engine and he was quoted about $2000 less for the Beta vs a comparable Yanmar.

But if the Yamaha does work out why change it? As long as it will fit it should be fine. And it is not likely to need much except filters and impellers for many years.

peterxr600 · #3 08-31-2010

Will look into the Beta option also. Like the idea about getting it from a tractor dealer, but would that have a transmission and heat exchanger...on a tractor?

Everyone has also said if the Yamaha works why replace it. Well as at now the damn thing is very heavy and big and I am loosing a lot of cockpit space.

Also as at now I can't find a Yamaha dealer anywhere in the world who has heard of it or has any parts etc. Can you imagine after all of this conversion I am down for months waiting on a filter.

I want my boat for sailing all year round in the lovely waters here in Jamaica. I don't mind and even enjoy working on her as she is my baby, wife etc.

What I don't want to be doing is working on her and waiting on parts while the rest of the fleet are off each weekend cruising and enjoying the sail.

I hate it at the bar hearing all the great stories whilst looking at my hammered knuckles and dirty nails with nothing to show for it.

tommays · #4 08-31-2010

The Beta is from

beta marine diesel propulsion engines and generating sets for all boats, ships, yachts, longboats, cruisers, workboats

With a good size world wide dealer network

int_dealer

We use the twin 14 Hp in a C&C 35'

The Beta is also its third motor as its a 1970 boat A4 to saltwater cooled Volvo to freshwater cooled Beta

mitiempo · #5 08-31-2010

Peter
Parts if needed can be purchased from a tractor dealer. Not the marinized engine or marine parts like a heat exchanger.
As far as the Yamaha, filters are not model specific and there are usually many that will fit. Yamaha didn't make the filters and I doubt that such a rare engine has a filter that fits it only.

You're losing cockpit space? What do you have to modify to make it fit?

JimsCAL · #6 08-31-2010

Actually, your Universal was a marinized Kubota engine just like the Beta.

pdm26 · #7 09-07-2010

Yanmar is the only marine engine made 100% by one manufacturer, makes a big difference in parts and component availabilty. Think about finding parts 10-20 years from now, not just tomorrow. And wordlwide service second to none. Yanmar block, fuel pump, heat exchanger, manifolds, etc.

Also, get real quotes for Yanmar and look apples to apples versus smaller brands. Most of those do not include items you will buy such as motor mounts, panels, wire harness, etc...