60 Ft Motor Sailer looking at a 24 valve

[Announcer]

Hello,



I am a tool columnist for a few boat-building magazines. I own a 98. 5 24 valve QC 4X4 LB and I have loved it from day one. I tow some very big boats and fifth wheelers but I am going to build a 60 Ft Motor Sailor and I want to do a marine conversion for the 24-valve engine. The designer told me that I only need a little over 100 HP for one prop. I know I can spin two wheels with the motor by splitting from the marine transmission with two shafts.



The marine blocks for this motor is high nickel but cost $$$$$$! I plan to use a truck motor and a closed cooling system not salt water. Has anyone done this conversion and what transmission did you use. With the great performance of my truck, I know the little cruise from Oregon to Baja Mexico and back each winter will not hurt this engine at all. The great part is that I can also use the wind to make the trip more affordable. If I need to be somewhere in a hurry I know the 24 valve will get me there fast. Another great thing is the fuel price in Mexico is very cheap and they have very good fuel.



So let me know if you have used these in boats before.



John from Chiloquin Oregon

 

[Marco]

We've tried that project a few years ago.



When we did the math of the cost for the parts to do it right...

It's cheaper to get an Cummins marine engine.



From the memory...

you'll need the water cooled intercooler, the marine collector, the heat exchanger, the salt water pump, the transmission...

just to mention the most important and expensive stuff...



In all the marine version of the ISB is quiet a different beast.



Mind you, I'm in Europe and I'm talking about the prices HERE, maybe the parts are cheaper in the States?



Anyway it sounds like a good project!



Do your math and have fun!



Marco

P. S. I think the ECM program for the trucks is not a good performer on the sea. I could take care of that... .

 

[Announcer]

Hello Marco,



Cummins already told me that the marine version is 425 hp if I want that much. The overwhelming cost now is the propellers. I can buy a set without using a standard transmission that are variable pitch. I must use a reduction gear but the props change from forward to reverse and they feather themselves for neutral. The reduction gear and the propellers cost more than a marine power plant but I will try to find a used set.



John

 

[Chipstien]

Have you priced a complete marine engine that is ready to drop in. Seems there should be other HP ratings available too.

 

[Marco]

Announcer,

probably you already know that... .

When it comes to feathering propellers the ONLY way to go is Max-Prop. Don't trust them cheaper types like J-prop...



I've seen many of the cheaper feathering propellers wearing out fast. They develop a lot of play in the blades causing the propeller to get out of balance. The troubles start...

Trust me, seen that too many times on the boats of my friends.



My boat has an 15 years old used (and abused) Max-prop on it.

Not a single problem! The Max-prop might be more difficult to set up the pitch but once one has understood how it works it doesn't take much longer than half an hour to change the pitch.



Marco

 

[Announcer]

Marco,



Do the Max Prop have reverse built in to the control or is that through the transmission?

A new marine Cummins is 17,000. 00 in the 425 hp range. Since I only want a contained system I should be much cheaper to use the truck engine as long as I isolate the electric system for electrolysis. I already have a heat exchange system for the motor that can handle two of the 5. 9 engines. The hull is rated for only two 130 hp motors. The water inter cooler already in my inventory and the saltwater pump for the heat exchanger and intercooler. The design I am using does not use transmissions only the reversing props that feather themselves. They run in the four blade 31’ configuration. I did this so I would not need a transmission only the props. When I want only the sail power I will feather the props. With two I can dock much better without a bow thruster at an additional $6,000.



John

 

[Bertram65]

A couple guys over at www.bertram31.com have done it, they could tell you what parts are needed and who to get them from. The savings are there but it is probably only about 30% cost savings over a set of take out marine engines.

 

[JLEONARD]

There is an outfit out of Texas (H&S Marine services) that specializes in and sells all the parts needed to convert a cummins truck engine into a marine version.

If memory serves me the total parts cost is around $5000.

That includes a new turbo that is water jacket cooled.

That is still much cheaper than a new marine engine (I know, I repowered with a new Cummins 4 years ago)

If you send me an e-mail to



-- email address removed --



I will send you the price sheet & brochure I have from them from last year.



BTW the marine Cummins 6 B engines are available in a variety of horsepower ranges from something like 130 thru just under 400.



Jay

 

[mike r]

Minimize

Cut 25 feet off and with the money saved put an extra 425hp engine in it. It will cut your Oregon to Mexico time by 2/3rds and the fun factor is way up!