4-108 Engines

[dave6330]

OK - maybe a dumb question, but I'll take that chance: What's the differrence between a WESTERBEKE 4-108 and PERKINS 4-108 engine? I'm closing in on finalizing the purchase of a 1979 Pearson 365 Ketch and it has the WESTERBEKE engine...no wories at this point, just curiosity.

Dave

[ehmanta]

I have the Westerbeke 4-108 and it's been a very good engine considering it's 33 years old now, but it only has 2800 hours on it. It leaks a little oil, but the drip pan catches that and oil is cheaper than tearing down the engine and replacing seals.....
From my understanding Perkins built the blocks, and Westerbeke puts on their external components like heat-exchangers, fuel injectors and such. A lot of these componets are built by common suppliers anyway, so either engine will have similar performance and longevity. Westerbeke parts may be more expensive though. The other differences may be the horsepower, some have larger bores than others. I believe the range was between 37 and 50 HP ( I could be remembering these wrong)

[dave6330]

Thanks

[Valiente]

The 4-108 is the Atomic 4 of boat diesels. Big, dumb and easily fixed. I mean this as a compliment. I don't know if they were the most common diesel in the '70s and '80s, but it sure seemed that way.

[dave6330]

Originally Posted by Valiente

The 4-108 is the Atomic 4 of boat diesels. Big, dumb and easily fixed. I mean this as a compliment. I don't know if they were the most common diesel in the '70s and '80s, but it sure seemed that way.

"Easily fixed" I like -

[Valiente]

Well, everything's relative! When confronted with a throughly modern diesel with turbo, intercooler and a couple of little black boxes, my hands begin to tremble. I didn't take shop in school, and it's all I can manage to keep my naturally aspirated, old-school "big iron" in working order.

I'm getting to the stage where I have to be picky about which new skills I acquire, because an old skill has to be forgotten to make room!