Repower Question ...

[MrWright]

SO ... I just bought a 63 Trojan 3100. I know that the last engine it had was a Ford Interceptor 302. Original equipment was some sort of larger, big block engine. Somewhere along the way, that engine was pulled and now there's nothing there. In cleaning the bilge I also removed the BW Direct Drive Tranny and I'm not sure what kind of shape it's in other than the fact that it DOES spin.

Anyway, here's the question: I have two options for my repower and I'd like your guys' thoughts on them.

A) I have a running, functional Isuzu C240 that puts out 60hp on her best day with a 2:1 transmission. This engine runs great and could easily be bolted in and I'm off and running. While I wouldn't be planing my estimations are that the boat would do around 10kts at WOT while using 4gph.

B) I have a line on a GM 350 ... this one is a chris craft 350 complete with tranny for $1000 but I don't know how it runs or the hours or how long it will last, etc. etc. I think there's enough power it in to get the boat up on plane while burning around 10gph. I could also probably get my hands on a 454 Crusader engine.

The boat will be mainly used for living aboard with some short crab and fishing runs. Long range cruising will be a rarity.

If you were in my situation, what would you do?

[Tim R.]

Find a powerboat forum????

I don't want to seem rude but this is SAILnet.com.

[BubbleheadMd]

You might have better luck on cruisersforum.com. They handle wind and power cruisers.

[olson34]

If the value of the boat has 'bout bottomed out, and you just want a way to be under way...
That smaller diesel will probably get it up to 7 kts, i.e. displacement speeds.

Many years ago I talked to the owner of a classic Tolly 34 (fiberglass, but an early one) whose boat had been converted to a pair of 50 hp Perkins diesels.
He said it would do an economical 8 kts. Evidently a prior owner had a lunched V8 on one side and chose to repower with the smaller diesels. It's been a while, and perhaps both original gas engines were shot for some reason, but I just do not recall the details.

Owner seemed quite content with it, and the boat was in good condition otherwise.

As to where to post your question, well, most of us here are effectively driving a "trawler with bridge clearance problems" half the time anyway!

I would also advise that you try to find a power boat forum where someone will know about the structure of your hull and may have suggestions for your scope of work... and then will try to talk you out of pursuing it!

Cheers,
L

ps: be sure to factor in a prop change and changing the fuel system over.

[tommays]

If you can go slow the Diesel would be fine BUT for a powerboat Opine you cant beat the iBoats forums