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What engine is in my 85 catalina

8.6K views 16 replies 11 participants last post by  eherlihy  
#1 ·
Hello New to Forum here,
I have a 1985 30’ Catalina with a 3 cylinder, and I am trying to determine what engine I have. All paper work (brochures) on board indicate it is possibly a M3-20 however after looking at the post here and other places and looking at the block and for other reasons, including CapnHand’s post on 10-26-07 (on sailnet) with specs, I believe it is a M-25 or Kubota D-850.
The two main reasons I think it is a M-25 are the fact that there is a label stating Universal Model 25 and serial # 12407 or 12507 this is a label NOT a stamp in the block however. Does the M stand for model on Universal motors? Also molded into the block is 855cc
4XQ
OAJ
This is located near the rear of the block mid way up near the top of the fly wheel, when you convert cc’s to cubic inch it comes out to 52.1721ci closer to a M-25 at 52ci than it is to the 38.9ci of the M3-20.On this forum it mentions that the dipstick will have a serial or model # stamped on it mine does not match anything and is /F 15377 36412 /E Where F and E indicate full and empty obviously.
The # stamped near the injection pump is -411659 and on the opposite side stamped into the exhaust is Universal
209911-D T
It has a Fram oil filter PH 3593A.
Why I need to know is I need a starter among other things and I am looking to cross reference to the Kubota # which I believe is a D 850, I do not want to order the wrong starter especially if I do have to go the Universal marine version with its higher price. I do have photos of the starter if this will help someone help me confirm the correct starter/motor.

Thanks for your time and help
Jeff
 
#3 ·
Thanks erps,
I have posted to that site as well, I see you are located in the beautiful state of Washington....me to were down here on the Coulmbia river in Vancouver, and it is a fantastic day out,I will have to check out the FAQ's a bit later today LLBB games and all todaythaks for your help,I am pretty sure it is a M25 I guess I am looking for some reasurance.

pacdzyne
 
#4 ·
I think the engine in our '89 Catalina 34 was an M25-XP. It was a 23 hp Kubota. I recollect finding a Kubota tractor parts manual for it and posting the information on the C-34 website. The tractor parts were cheaper than buying the parts through Universal.
 
#5 ·
First question-is the engine the original, or was it repowered at some point in the past. If it isn't the original, then the manual isn't going to help much.

I'd ask you to post a photo, but photo posting is kind of broken, and you have to have ten (10) posts to link to a photo on an external site. Please read this post to get the most out of your time on sailnet.

Regards and welcome.
 
#6 ·
Regards and welcome.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the Welcome,
I will try my best to obey all rules set forth for the fourm...while its not my first fourm I'm not sure I understand the reasoning for a minumum of 10 post before posting photos,I belong to a few photography forms and I can post there immedeatly??? oh well.
Should'nt need photos for this anyway as I belive I but in alot of info as required/suggested on the "get more out of sailnet" link.
I'm not sure if it is the original motor or not but I'm pretty sure it is,I'm not looking for a manul as much as I am wondering if someone can profide a link to check or cross reference #. I dont mind doing the research just have exhusted all my idea's and the local Kubota dealer says none of these # match up to anything he has in his books.
Thanks for your help.
pacdzyne
 
#7 ·
Have you looked at the owner's manuals for the M-25 on the Cat 30 website on their engine page.
ENGINES
Following is an extract from that page :
Model 5411 Diesel - In 1977 the Model 5411 was introduced. It was a 31 cu in, 11 hp 2 cylinder raw water cooled diesel, based on the Kubota Z-500 block, and fitted with a Hurth transmission. The 5411 was built from 1977 to 1982. Approximately 2,900 were sold. It was replaced by the Model M15, which was produced in 1982 and 1983. Approximately 370 were sold. This engine is the older brother of the M-25. I would guess that the majority of engines installed in Catalina 30's were either 5411 or M-25's especially in the 80's. Extract from the "History of the Universal Motor Company: http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/Atomic_4_Eng_Service/History_of_the_Universal_Motor_Company_4.html#top
 
#9 ·
Hello New to Forum here,
I have a 1985 30' Catalina with a 3 cylinder, and I am trying to determine what engine I have. All paper work (brochures) on board indicate it is possibly a M3-20 however after looking at the post here and other places and looking at the block and for other reasons, including CapnHand's post on 10-26-07 (on sailnet) with specs, I believe it is a M-25 or Kubota D-850.
The two main reasons I think it is a M-25 are the fact that there is a label stating Universal Model 25 and serial # 12407 or 12507 this is a label NOT a stamp in the block however. Does the M stand for model on Universal motors? Also molded into the block is 855cc
4XQ
OAJ
This is located near the rear of the block mid way up near the top of the fly wheel, when you convert cc's to cubic inch it comes out to 52.1721ci closer to a M-25 at 52ci than it is to the 38.9ci of the M3-20.On this forum it mentions that the dipstick will have a serial or model # stamped on it mine does not match anything and is /F 15377 36412 /E Where F and E indicate full and empty obviously.
The # stamped near the injection pump is -411659 and on the opposite side stamped into the exhaust is Universal
209911-D T
It has a Fram oil filter PH 3593A.
Why I need to know is I need a starter among other things and I am looking to cross reference to the Kubota # which I believe is a D 850, I do not want to order the wrong starter especially if I do have to go the Universal marine version with its higher price. I do have photos of the starter if this will help someone help me confirm the correct starter/motor.

Thanks for your time and help
Jeff
Jeff

Did you find the answer that you needed?

Ken K
1984 C-30 #3573
 
#11 ·
What you can also do is go to

Marine Diesel Engines and Engine Parts - Universal, Volvo, Westerbeke, Yanmar, MASE

They have all those engines there. Many have pictures. If no photo, there are blown up parts diagrams that will allow you to investigate it.

Also, you could simply post on this topic another 8 times to "meet" the 10 and post a photo.

I recently saw a photo from a fellow skipper with a new-to-them C34. Almost all older C34s came with M25 then M25XP engines. She had an M25XPB repower. Those engines usually were installed on C310s. They are a completely different engine than the M25 or M25XP engines.

Good figure.

Good luck.
 
#12 ·
Guys - this thread started in 2008... I hope that the OP has a starter by now...

BTW - I believe that he did have an M-25.
 
#14 ·
The Kubota engine number should be stamped near the injection pump, but Universal usually puttied over them before they put on the gold paint. More than likely it is an M25 / D855. Everything except the exhaust manifold and raw water pump can be gotten from the Kubota shop a LOT cheaper than Universal. You would think they would know the Universal part numbers, but they don't. EBay has aftermarket starters listed for about $80, which is a lot cheaper than Kubota, but I don't know if they're any good.
I bought injector nozzles for my 5411 on eBay, $40 each. Kubota was $71, Universal was $401! All for the exact same part.
 
#15 ·
The Kubota engine number should be stamped near the injection pump, but Universal usually puttied over them before they put on the gold paint. More than likely it is an M25 / D850. Everything except the exhaust manifold and raw water pump can be gotten from the Kubota shop a LOT cheaper than Universal. You would think they would know the Universal part numbers, but they don't. EBay has aftermarket starters listed for about $80, which is a lot cheaper than Kubota, but I don't know if they're any good.
I bought injector nozzles for my 5411 on eBay, $40 each. Kubota was $71, Universal was $401! All for the exact same part.
 
#17 ·
Uh...