Repower

[Steph98]

Hello,

I'm going to change the engine Westerbeke W40 and will probably take a Westerbeke W44B, which is 7hp more powerfull. Can I have trouble with my V-Drive that I don't change? If you have repower your boat, have you change the V-drive to put a saildrive? If yes how is the comportement of the boat with the saildrive?

Thanks

Stéphane

[zaya]

Hello Stephane,

are you the Stephane from Noumea ?

the 44B would be fine, particularly if you keep the original v-drive, transmission and prop.

a piece a advice: do yourself a favor and get a used perkins 4-108. it will be much cheaper and available (even on ebay)!
as far as saildrive goes, first are you ready to modify the engine bed and relocate/resize the fuel tanks, plus consider engine access ? otherwise, I think saildrives seem to be a good choice nowadays. I doubt there will be a difference in the "comportement" (behaviour) of the boat.

phil

[S/V Deo Volente]

I would heartily agree! The original setup works, you will save money and headaches, and resale will be better. Of course I don't plan on ever selling mine.

[allanc]

The previous owner of my boat repowered with a 44B.  It has the original tranny and V drive.

[Steph98]

Oh Phil. Yes I'm the Steph from Noumea. Nice to hear from you. I write you in private message.
Yes I agree, saildrive would be a lot of work and it isn't indispensable. But I prefer buy a new engine. Rebuilt the old one would cost more than the half of the price of a new one. And to buy a second-hand, on e-bay for example, I don't trust. I don't know the history of the engine and I want to go back serene on sea.
Thank you for your answers.
The mechanic who has worked on my old engine say me today that the ratio of the hydraulic gear is 1/1 in forward gear and 1/1.18 in reverse!!  But the 44B is apparently only 2/1 reduction. I'm going to ask the salesman. Then I think I forgot that engine.
That shall suppose that the engines of person 365 don't have all the same gears?
The mine is probably a paragon, and is hydraulic.

Stéphane

[Nelson]

Hello Stephane,

I am the original owner of hull 136. I recently was faced w/ the same problem, repower or rebuild. I opt to rebuild for several reasons. I purchased all the parts including dry liners pistons rods bearings seals gaskets valves, everything needed but the crank and cam and block from a diesel parts distributor in Houston for a little over 900.00 including UPS charges. I did the work my self but any good diesel mechanic can do a complete overhaul in about 20 to 30 man/hrs. I can send you the name of the parts supplier if you wish, I do not have it with me here. The other reason I chose to rebuild is, the 4-108 is a low RPM engine which means it has a steeper torque curve than the 44B. The 44B is a higher RPM engine and thus is not as fuel efficient as the 4-108. I can maintain 7.5 Kts @ 1800 RPMs burning approx. 3/4 gal per hr. After the overhaul, the engine runs quieter, smoother than original. If you do choose to rebuild, do not fail to take the CAV injector pump and the injectors to a diesel injector/pump repair shop for overhaul also. The cost to do mine was 746.00 but a must.

Parts can also be found at some of the older established MASSEY FERGUSON tractor dealers, some Lincoln welding machine repair shops, Gorman Rupp pump manuf. Do not use Caterpillar, even though they bought out Perkins. You will pay 4 times what it is worth.

Nelson Tolar
Dancing Rabbit
No. 136
Mobile, AL

[wedelstein]

We repowered 2 P365 boats last year with W44B engines. They were both very sucessful conversions. If you go with a new style transmissions you will need to change the V drive with a RV26. It is larger to take the extra torque of the 1:1 since the new transmission will be the reduction gear. Bob at Walter has been very helpful. The RV 26 will fit (barely), get out your shoe horn. It will help if you make an access hole under the cabinet by the refrigeratior. With the slower shaft speed the installation will be smoother.

If you want to keep the old V drive you will need a 1:1 transmission. I have the parts here including a velvet drive damper plate and bell housing. They are available for sale. You will need to cut some fiberglass part of the engine mount to make it work. The engine will be very low in the boat.

[EdHouston]

A buddy of mine just had his 4-108 rebuilt at Diesel parts of Houston with a new short block just under 5K and he is over the moon with the engine its in a Morgan but same engine with a velvet drive.

I can get the info for you if you wish.

I thought about a Beta but they wanted 13K role out they said they would discount it to 11K but hey still way too much.

Ed

S/V Moonlight Mile Hull #110

[wedelstein]

If you want to keep the old 4-108 I have a good pullout from a P-365. The engine was overhauled 5 years ago. It and the Vee drive are available.