Gas to diesel

[eastont]

This is something I have had on my mind for awhile.

How difficult, or even possible, would it be to change out my twin 4.3 Mercs with Mercruiser out drives, to twin diesels?

How would I go about starting the process?
What would be comparable diesel engines.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Gas to diesel

Howdy,

Anything is possible.....the engines, drives, and probably the transom mounts would more than likely have to be removed and replaced.

It's helpful to know what boat you actually have...


How much money are you planning to spend?

You can probably plan on anywhere from $20,000 to $25,0000 PER SIDE.



Is your boat going to be worth a $40,000+ upgrade?


Most people discover that it's just not worth it.


Regards,


Rick

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Gas to diesel

You can change anything for the right $$ It's not gonna be cheap.
Ask yourself if this boat is the boat I'm gonna keep for a LONG time.
You'll never resell it for anywhere close to your investment.
Mercruiser sells diesel setups.There are shops around,maybe even close to Brockville???
After the inital deposit.It will probably take a couple of months to get it done.
Mercruiser makes the product and Volvo makes a great Diesel too.The have sterndrive units that can drop right in with some transom modifications.
You'd reall notice the difference with the diesels.J

 

[eastont]

Re: Gas to diesel

It's a Carver Santego 2767 and I'm thinking the engines are getting close to their life's end, and gas is becoming so expensive around here.

I presume there is no way to use the existing drives?
Oh yea the light just came on, different ratios.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Gas to diesel

Buying a couple of SEI outdrives ($1500 each) to replace your current Alphas would most likely be a very minor cost in comparison to the cost of the rest of the conversion ....

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Gas to diesel

It's a Carver Santego 2767 and I'm thinking the engines are getting close to their life's end, and gas is becoming so expensive around here.

I presume there is no way to use the existing drives?
Oh yea the light just came on, different ratios.

Diesel drives are usually far lower in ratio. Also, Mercruiser has diesel "rated" Bravos.

Mercruiser never puts any Alpha behind a diesel.


Volkswagon also has marine diesels (and good ones too) And they're in front of Mercruisers.....

Evidently you're not in the US or Canada? Diesel fuel is not that much cheaper here.,........ (usually higher) ......small marine diesels haven't taken off here (yet)

The following is an example of what would probably work well in your boat.
From VW Marine:

The above is a boat similar in size to yours

It has a Volkwagon Marine 265HP diesel + Mercury Bravo III.
Specs here:

Morgan 260


You wouldn't absolutely have to have twins and to do the above, you would need to replace the transom. (more $$$)

If you had to have twins, you could probably get the smaller 4cyl VW diesels but you would need to replace the drives and gimbals.


If you peruse that site, you'll see all the different VW diesel powered boats outlined there.....from small ski boats up to 40 footers....

None of them are going to be cheap.


Cheers,


Rick

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Gas to diesel

It seems like you could R&R whats there now and use all the money you would have spent on the conversion towards the gas bill..

 

[Don S]

Re: Gas to diesel

Mercruiser never puts any Alpha behind a diesel.

Cheers,
Rick

Wanna bet

 

[eastont]

Re: Gas to diesel

Evidently you're not in the US or Canada? Diesel fuel is not that much cheaper here.,........ (usually higher) ......small marine diesels haven't taken off here (yet)

Around here on the water, gas averaged $1.40/L and diesel was $.95-$1.30/L ans if I compare it to the US side, diesel can be about $.75- $.83/L

So with those savings it puts a different spin on it.

I can't see me ever getting what it might cost back....but if I'm looking at a major re-power...hmmmmm

 

[Don S]

Re: Gas to diesel

I put a D4-260 Volvo diesel with a DPH outdrive in a 28 Bayliner classsic in 05. Did 35 MPH at WOT using 9 GPH. Cruise speed was 30mph at 8 GPH The original 6cyl diesels did 21 MPH and the 7.4 big blocks got about 30 on a good day at 24 GPH.
The D4 now has a 300 hp version. Has the same size foot print as a 5.7 Chevy.

Here are a few pictures, nothing showing the 36K for the engine and drive package.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Gas to diesel

The neat thing about the diesel with the alpha drives is that the engines run so rough at idle that a shift interupt switch is no longer needed or used. Yet another benefit!

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: Gas to diesel

Could he put Chevy diesels in there?
A pair of rebuilt 6.5s maybe.

You would be gaining weight and loosing RPM.

 

[Don S]

Re: Gas to diesel

Could he put Chevy diesels in there?
A pair of rebuilt 6.5s maybe.

You would be gaining weight and loosing RPM.

You have to have a way of bolting them to a drive of some kind. What marine hookup will those 6.5's fit to

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: Gas to diesel

You have to have a way of bolting them to a drive of some kind. What marine hookup will those 6.5's fit to

I'm not sure in the marine world, but in a truck they will bolt right up to the same transmission. I was asking if it could be done.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Gas to diesel

Never say never I guess!!


I guess I should have said......never behind a diesel of any significant HP!!!

Wanna bet

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Gas to diesel

I'm not sure in the marine world, but in a truck they will bolt right up to the same transmission. I was asking if it could be done.

The 6.5's are used with Bravos, V-drives, Twin Disc, Borg Warner etc. and I'm guessing that the Bravo flywheel housing that fits the 454 also fits the 6.5.

http://www.peninsulardiesel.com/WP-PENTEST/?page_id=26/

And evidently they run pretty good too


Here's one where a 28ft Bilgeliner got a 340HP model with a Bravo II on the back

http://www.peninsulardiesel.com/WP-PENTEST/?page_id=118


I don't think they're cheap though.... Nothing diesel is "cheep"!!

 

[dan t.]

Re: Gas to diesel

I looked at a 1982 28ft Coronet, nice old boat in very good shape, then I looked at the power, twin 6.2 chevys with VP 270s, I walked away

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Gas to diesel

6.2L would mean about 160hp or so (and non-turbocharged) .......Pretty anemic for a boat that size.

The 6.5 is a different engine HP-wise......

 

[ThePartsMan]

Re: Gas to diesel

A 6.2 was only 160hp but a lot more torque than a 4.3 gas.
Maybe to much for his drives.

I would be worried about loosing speed from the lower RPMs.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Gas to diesel

A 6.2 was only 160hp but a lot more torque than a 4.3 gas.
Maybe to much for his drives.

I would be worried about loosing speed from the lower RPMs.

Yeah.......it would be like replacing 4.3's with 454's ......and then running them on 5cyls!!!!


His best bet might be to sell the boat as-is if it's running good, and look for something that is set up the way he wants.......



Hmm.... Enid (by the sea) OK! I used to live in Enid!!!