Engine Replacement

[Helimech]

I''m now looking at a 1979 boat with a Perkins 4-154 engine. There is no hour meter and the broker tells me it’s the original engine. What would be a rough estimate for a replacement engine if I did all the work? I''m having a hard time finding any prices on the internet and I''m trying to work out an offer based on replacing the engine. Any good engine sites would be great too. Thanks, JC

[PaulBl]

One of the best sites is:

http://www.tadiesels.com/index.htm

TransAtlantic is located in White Marsh, VA (SE on the bay). They are the ones to go to related to Perkins anything as well as other engines. They can do a rebuild or sell you a rebuilt engine. having a rebuilt done can be quite a bit more affordable. Also replacement may require more work than you might be ready to bite off. A rebuild would be cheaper and drop back in place. A decent engine survey will tell if you even need a rebuild.

A 1979 engine should not need replacement unless it was poorly maintained. It probably could be rebuilt too if need be.

They can be reached on the phone or EMail and I would rely on any information they give you. I would call them and discuss it with them. They are pretty good folks. I live 5 miles from them and they do a lot of work on gensets and big engines too.

[dman]

Helimech Don`t worry too much about the engine.Get it checked out and then make your offer accordingly.To have this engine done over you are looking at around 5 to 7K,probably less since a rebuild for the Perkins will give you liners pistons rings bearings gaskets...for around 1500.These are solid running motors and top quality.Yeah they weight more,noisier than the Yanmars but they are built for reliability and low RPM.Getting this engine rebuilt would be your best option if it needed to at all.At the least you should get the exhaust side cleaned out and put in new thermostats,impellers............Don`t give up on this motor just yet and there are alot of low cost industrial engines around that can be marinized with your parts.If it sounds like I am a Perkins fan I am.These older motors are workhorses.Many people that do not like them are into fancy design,less vibration and low weight.Dollar for dollar with a person who doesn`t have money to burn they cannot be beat.If you check around your area there will be a quality mechanic that will build this motor for you really cheap on the side.I purchased an industrial 4108 that was at an auction from government surplus(fresh) for 1200.I than marinized it myself and for about 1500 I have another 20 years (my boat does).

[Alchemist909]

Depending on the price of the boat that you are looking at, repowering it could easily cost more than the boat is worth. Recent reports for repowering with a small Universal (M25) were in the area of $10,000 installed (about $5,000 sitting in a box)

If your Perkins is in reasonable shape, have it worked on as described above.