[MedSailor]

I'm looking a buying a used boat, and I have a dozen years experience with marine diesels evenly split between Yanmar and Perkins. Through others I know I know a few things about other makes and models, but I know precious little about the Ford Lehman diesel.

Every diesel has their good and bad points and quirks. Perkins are loud, leak and are reliable with cheap parts. Yanmar are tight and reliable but the parts are $$$.

What are the good, bad and ugly things that I need to know about Ford Lehman motors? What questions should I ask and what will my surveyor be looking for? The model I am finding most often is the 85HP 4 cylinder model 2722E.

Any wisdom and experience with these diesels would be appreciated.

MedSailor

 

[kd3pc]

probably one of the most reliable engines on the planet. There is a fellow down in Kilmarnock, and his son, who know more about these engines than anyone. (http://www.americandieselcorp.com/)

the only problem I have had (both in sail and trawler) is the heat exchanger requires cleaning every couple of years, and the transmission cooler tanks, if the boat has them, will need replacing every decade or so.

All the best

 

[chuck53]

probably one of the most reliable engines on the planet. There is a fellow down in Kilmarnock, and his son, who know more about these engines than anyone. (http://www.americandieselcorp.com/)

All the best

Bob Smith at American Diesel is THE guy when it comes to Lehmans. He is the one who originally marinized the Lehman. If you have a boat with a Lehman and you are having issues, call him...he can diagnose problems over the phone better than most mechanics can sitting in your engine room.

yes, the Lehman is about as bulletproof an engine as you will find, assuming it is used in the right application and hull speed boats (trawlers, sailboats) is where they work great.

 

[dabnis]

The Bumfuzzles had one in their last boat. It developed a crack, maybe more, in a cylinder wall. his pictures looked like it may have rotted, corroded, eroded? from the inside out. Maybe from lack of changing zincs, if there are any? or overheating which I think he had problems with. IIRC, he had it sleeved before he sold the boat?

Maybe if you browse through his "Adventures", you can find the pictures he posted?

Bumfuzzle

Paul T