Installing yanmar 3gm30f in place of old volvo

Cruxandreams · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2011

Hello everyone! My restoration project is well underway, and I am getting close to ready to installing my new motor. Today I pulled the old motor out with a similar rig to the one I used to lower my spars,( two 40 foot ladders extended to full length, tied together at top, with a pulley hanging from the crotch that pulled from below spreaders to slowly lower both main and mizzen as I walked out the bottoms. For the motor I used a smaller rig using 10' 4x4's) any way, it worked like a charm. I really want to do it my self with the help of an experienced person to actually learn all about how it works and how to address future problems I may have with the motor instead of paying for some one else to do the job, and then again and again as problems arise. The motor I am installing is a Yanmar 3gm30f that was rebuilt, and it will be sitting in the foot print of an old VP. The foot print (to my knowledge) is very similar on both motors, although I'm sure there will need to be slight modifications needed (this shouldn't be a big deal, I know how to work with wood and fiberglass). So I am wondering if any one has done a swap of these motors, or similar situation, and can give me some pointers. My boat is at old bay marina, and want to know if any place offers "helping" some one install a diesel in a sailboat? should I replace the shaft or bearings that hold shaft in place, it seams to spin smoothly??? is there any one out there in the area, that is interested in helping, I don't have much money, but can surly compensate people for their help. I am planning to have the boat ready by April to move aboard, leave port, and cruse for the extended future. this is why I need to learn about the motor instead of simply paying for some one else to do the job. please help me reach my goal. any and all help, information, or ideas are welcome. Thanks Zach.

Vasco · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2011

Which Volvo are you taking out. A 2003? I replaced a 2003 with a GM30F many years ago. If I remember right the footprint is narrower and the height lower. I had to build up the bed a bit. I used "plastic" 2x4's that were made out of recycled garbage bags and glassed them over.

Cruxandreams · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2011

good idea with the plastic 2x4s! The volvo is a 70's model. previous owner ran with out water intake hooked up.....

jrd22 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-03-2011

Back in the early nineties we changed out an old (78') Volvo three cylinder and installed a
3GM. We had to relocate the motor mounts, IIRC we moved them aft and closer together. You will need to figure out the difference so you can get the output shaft from the trans to line up with the prop shaft. You have some adjustment in the mounts but you have to be very close or it will never line up correctly. Difficult to do, we had help from a guy at the yard we were working at.

LakeSuperiorGeezer · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruxandreams

... I really want to do it my self with the help of an experienced person to actually learn all about how it works and how to address future problems I may have with the motor instead of paying for some one else to do the job, and then again and again as problems arise. The motor I am installing is a Yanmar 3gm30f ...

Purchase the Yanmar manual for this engine. Yanmar makes good manuals and are also written with a lot of background information on diesel engines so that just reading the manual will teach you a lot.

catandahalf · #6 (**permalink**) 12-06-2011

Good for you! A new engine - my raw water yanny 2g is over 40 (31 foot Nicole Trimaran that lives in the ocean near Catalina Island, California) and still going strong. Just remember it will last longer if you keep it loaded. Idle and battery charging are not a good thing with these engines. They are made to work.

Be careful of casual labor that says they know how to install this engine. It really really really needs to be perfectly aligned with the shaft! Before you put the engine in service the shaft bearing and packing. Better to learn this process before the engine is in the way.

I do a lot of engine work and the alignment is probably the part I'd pay to have an expert do before paying for any other process or service as it's really critical. Remember the engine gets hot. The plastic 2x4 products will soften with heat and over time alignment will suffer. I'd use resin coated wood instead if you can afford or don't know how to construct a bed from fiberglass..

Good luck with it!

rikhall · #7 (**permalink**) 12-06-2011

I did a swap of a Volvo gas out of our old Tanzer 28 and put in a new Yanmar 2GM20F. It was a fantastic experience. Did 90% myself with lots of help from some friends. Building the engine bed is not rocket science, but you do have to do it correctly.

Cheers

Rik

captflood · #8 (**permalink**) 12-06-2011

GREETINGS EARTHLINGS, Having fitted engines to boats the best method is to make a jig of the engine mount sizes in wood and plywood this is who the big boys do it if your jig has the shaft dimentions built into it use pipe to aline the two shafts. lazers are a handy help to get everything square and true . GO SAFE

jurgenvoigt · #9 (**permalink**) 01-02-2012

No problem,.. if your using the Yanmar Engine Mounts,.. they are quite soft which is designed to allow for a bit of alignment leeway,.... but they have adjustment nuts allowing you to adjust up & down & elongated mounting holes for sideways adjustment.....allowing you to be quite precise to 2-3 Thou..on the coupling.

Other mounts also come with the same Adjustment Capability,..

So fit them onto the Engine and get it aligned before you bolt it down to the Eng. Bed..

Cheers
Jurg