E-29 Repower

EKP

EKP

Member II
After 38 years of reliable use I decided it was probably time to do a rebuild on my A-4. After pulling it, disassembly, and taking it to a local machine shop for a few things, I found out that I have a cracked block. The water passages in the top of the head, where the head meets the block, were all clogged with rust. After the surface was cleaned up by the machine shop, a crack was revealed all the way down the block. The main bearings were also shot. Otherwise the internals were in pretty good shape.

Now, I'm trying to decide what to do. There are several A-4s for sale on the East Coast, I'm located in NC. I would really prefer to repower with a diesel. I've also found several used Yanmar 2gms/2qms. After searching through the forums I see there has been several E-29s and E-27s that have been repowered with that motor. I'm wondering how involved the process to put one in my E-29 is. Does anyone have any experience with this? Should I just suck it up and stick with an A-4? I plan on doing some extensive cruising once hurricane season is good and over. I want to have an engine that I don't have to worry about when the time comes. I should probably note that I don't want to spend more than about $3,000 on this repower, so a new engine is out of the question.
 
Afrakes

Afrakes

Sustaining Member
Rebuilt Block

With a limited budget could you buy a basic rebuilt block from Moyer and use your head, etc. Don't know what kind of decent Yanmar 2GM20 you can acquire and install for the funds you have available.
 
J

JPS27

Member III
Perhaps you saw my thread on a repower from A-4 to 2qm15. Way more to convey about that experience than could be posted here (even if I had the time to do so). In short, now that I have made the switch and about 2 years have past to let the "trauma" subside, I'm glad I did it. BUT, had I to do it over again knowing what I know now, I might stick with a rebuilt A-4. Hindsight is 20-20, though.

I love my old diesel. I starts up on the first try every time, there's little to fiddle with, no gasoline, and so on. On the other hand, the cascading effect of repowering is something to consider. Seems like most times we end up on the hard longer than our "worst case" estimates which keeps us from sailing and enjoying the boat. I recall when I started the repower, as a newbie to boats and engines, that changing out exhaust system, doing fiberglass work to fit the new engine in, redoing my engine box and then the ladder because the the engine box go taller, finding correctly sized new engine cables, making those cable fit at the helm, searching far and wide for a panel and harness that didn't come with my engine, then having to modify where the panel sat at the helm, represent a sampling of headaches that I can recall. Many other headaches have been forgotten. Having said all that, I'm sure others with more experience would have a much easier time than I had, but felt I should share!

My decisions were driven by boat budget (or lack thereof). I had a marine mechanic buddy who found me the engine for a good price. He charged me little and many times he just told me what to do while he was actually making money elsewhere. And, I still lend him a hand whenever he needs extra hands on jobs. I learn and he gets done faster. So the repower worked for me.
 
frick

frick

Member III
Yanmar

EKP said:
After 38 years of reliable use I decided it was probably time to do a rebuild on my A-4. After pulling it, disassembly, and taking it to a local machine shop for a few things, I found out that I have a cracked block. The water passages in the top of the head, where the head meets the block, were all clogged with rust. After the surface was cleaned up by the machine shop, a crack was revealed all the way down the block. The main bearings were also shot. Otherwise the internals were in pretty good shape.

Now, I'm trying to decide what to do. There are several A-4s for sale on the East Coast, I'm located in NC. I would really prefer to repower with a diesel. I've also found several used Yanmar 2gms/2qms. After searching through the forums I see there has been several E-29s and E-27s that have been re powered with that motor. I'm wondering how involved the process to put one in my E-29 is. Does anyone have any experience with this? Should I just suck it up and stick with an A-4? I plan on doing some extensive cruising once hurricane season is good and over. I want to have an engine that I don't have to worry about when the time comes. I should probably note that I don't want to spend more than about $3,000 on this repower, so a new engine is out of the question.
Click to expand...

I re-powered my E29 with a Yanmar 2GM20F...
Best thing I did....
1: The Yanmar is lighter and taller than the A4... Build a box to cover it... Not a big deal.
2: All new cockpit panel (came with the diesel) purchased Controls with single stick shifter.. Nice.
3: Had to reshaft But the new one inch shaft fit in the original tube of my 1971 E29 Nice
4: New Cutlas Bearing and New Prop and some added star board under the engine mounts to get the proper angles for the shaft
5: Pull the old Fuel Tank and Clean it really well. Added a fitting for the fuel return
6: New primary Racor filter and all new fuel lines and raw water tubes.

I got it done 15 years ago for the bargain rate @gm20F new for $6200 - my local yard did the heavenly lifting, and I added labor.

rick
 
EKP

EKP

Member II
Hey thanks guys for the imput. Frick, what did you do as far as exhaust system goes? Can I use my A-4s system? It was new 3 years ago. The engines I've found have panels with them. If I stick with A-4 I'm going to have to replace mine anyway.
 
J

jarnold67

Member II
Repowering an E26

For what its worth, we repowered our E26 from a Westerbeke 10Two to a Beta Marine B14. In addition to adding 4HP, we gained a very compact engine that is very easy to work on (with good access to impellers and filters, and a built in oil change sump pump) with reasonable replacement costs. The Beta folks start with a Kubota tractor diesel engine and all consumables (i.e. filters, etc.) are stock Kubota items.

John
 
Afrakes

Afrakes

Sustaining Member
Re-use A4 exhaust

Don't see any reason that you couldn't use the A4 stand pipe exhaust with a diesel as long as the hose sizes match. I'm still of the opinion that given the limited funds available it will be hard for you to end up with what you are ultimately looking for, which is dependability. An old used diesel is still an old used diesel. Even though it can run what guarantee is there that it is not just a few hours away from the state of your A4. I have a spare 95' 2GM20F with 500+ hrs. on it. I removed it from a project boat I abandoned. I was told that is was in good shape when I purchased the boat. I really don't know because the boat was donated to the organization I purchased it from and they had no direct knowledge of how the engine was maintained. As opposed to the engine in my 28/2, where the engine maintenance was well documented. When I have the time and inclination (the failure of my present M-12) I'll crack it open and take a closer look. Who knows, by the time I need it there may not be any parts available for it.
 
EKP

EKP

Member II
Afrakes said:
Don't see any reason that you couldn't use the A4 stand pipe exhaust with a diesel as long as the hose sizes match. I'm still of the opinion that given the limited funds available it will be hard for you to end up with what you are ultimately looking for, which is dependability. An old used diesel is still an old used diesel. Even though it can run what guarantee is there that it is not just a few hours away from the state of your A4. I have a spare 95' 2GM20F with 500+ hrs. on it. I removed it from a project boat I abandoned. I was told that is was in good shape when I purchased the boat. I really don't know because the boat was donated to the organization I purchased it from and they had no direct knowledge of how the engine was maintained. As opposed to the engine in my 28/2, where the engine maintenance was well documented. When I have the time and inclination (the failure of my present M-12) I'll crack it open and take a closer look. Who knows, by the time I need it there may not be any parts available for it.
Click to expand...

It's looking more and more like I'm just gonna go pick up a rebuilt A-4 and drop it in. A diesel sounds nice, but just doesn't too feasible at the moment. At least with the A-4s you can always get anything you need.
 
P

Pat O'Connell

Member III
Diesel/Gas

Hi EKP
Al offers good advice. Our 5411 has been a great little engine on the E28+. Long time neighbor has a Pearson 30 with atomic 4 that is 40 years old and only fwc for about ten years. He has tons of power that I can't keep up with. Nice engine.
Best Regards
Pat Universal 5411 E28+ 1981
 
toddster

toddster

Curator of Broken Parts
Blogs Author
Dunno... I love my E29, but if I were facing the prospect of a huge project and spending a sizable fraction of the boat value on a new engine, it would probably spur me into the "just buy a bigger boat" mode.
Or possibly join the electro cult.
 
frick

frick

Member III
Diesel Exhaust

Afrakes said:
Don't see any reason that you couldn't use the A4 stand pipe exhaust with a diesel as long as the hose sizes match. I'm still of the opinion that given the limited funds available it will be hard for you to end up with what you are ultimately looking for, which is dependability. An old used diesel is still an old used diesel. Even though it can run what guarantee is there that it is not just a few hours away from the state of your A4. I have a spare 95' 2GM20F with 500+ hrs. on it. I removed it from a project boat I abandoned. I was told that is was in good shape when I purchased the boat. I really don't know because the boat was donated to the organization I purchased it from and they had no direct knowledge of how the engine was maintained. As opposed to the engine in my 28/2, where the engine maintenance was well documented. When I have the time and inclination (the failure of my present M-12) I'll crack it open and take a closer look. Who knows, by the time I need it there may not be any parts available for it.
Click to expand...

Ah Yes, Forgot about that.... I moved my Batteries to a new platform in the Forward Section of the Lazarette.
The New Exhaust pipe and muffler went straight back threw the old battery box (removed) area, and out a new through the transom.
The pipe is much bigger than the A4 exhaust system, but nothing for the A4 Exhaust was used.

rick+
 
EKP

EKP

Member II
alcodiesel said:
Hey Marine, haven't read you here in a while.

Here is everything A4 : http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/index.php
but you already knew that.

I really like my A4. If it died I'd do a short block or rebuild. But that's just me-I'm kinda into the A4 cult thing.
Click to expand...

I'm still kicking. Spindrift has been getting an overhaul. Just installed shore power and AC. New mainsail too. Will be building a new headsail with the local sailmaker soon.

I'm gonna make an engine decision next week. A-4 is looking better and better. They are pretty neat.
 
EKP

EKP

Member II
toddster said:
Dunno... I love my E29, but if I were facing the prospect of a huge project and spending a sizable fraction of the boat value on a new engine, it would probably spur me into the "just buy a bigger boat" mode.
Or possibly join the electro cult.
Click to expand...

I've thought about doing this. When I do decide to get a bigger boat, I'm going to use my GI bill and let the housing allowance pay for a new boat. Not ready to settle down and go to school right now. I've got my eye on the Pacific Seacraft Mariah.
 
EKP

EKP

Member II
frick said:
Ah Yes, Forgot about that.... I moved my Batteries to a new platform in the Forward Section of the Lazarette.
The New Exhaust pipe and muffler went straight back threw the old battery box (removed) area, and out a new through the transom.
The pipe is much bigger than the A4 exhaust system, but nothing for the A4 Exhaust was used.

rick+
Click to expand...

I hadn't thought of that either until this posting. I'm thinking a repower with a different engine is going to be too much of a pain in the ass, especially with all the other projects I have going on.
 
Loren Beach

Loren Beach

O34 - Portland, OR
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
Vets Benefits

EKP said:
I've thought about doing this. When I do decide to get a bigger boat, I'm going to use my GI bill and let the housing allowance pay for a new boat. Not ready to settle down and go to school right now. I've got my eye on the Pacific Seacraft Mariah.
Click to expand...

Different states likely have different programs, but our state has its own veteran's home loan program (thru the Oregon Dept of Vets Affairs) , for many decades.
That's how we financed our home. I only had to show my DD214, and got a very good rate with no pay off penalties and they never sell their loans.

Since there is no way for the new generation of loan "specialists" to make a commission on this, they will seldom mention it, and while it is publicized thru veterans organizaions, it really kind of flies under the financial radar.
It was wonderful to have the same loan officer available to answer any question, before we built, during, and afterwords for the duration of the loan. (!)
Something to check on, tho.

Good luck,
Loren

ps: one of our older club members is putting his PSC 27 Orion on the market next week. Lovely boat!
pps: couple of my retiree friends are old Marines... and they still insist that Navy guys only existed to act as bus drivers for the important people... like Marines! :)
 
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