D
Don Wogaman
Guest
" I have my 1974 Westerbeke 4-
" I have my 1974 Westerbeke 4-230, 70Hp, British Leyland block, engine out of our Dickerson 41 for hull repairs. There have been no problems with the engine in the last 15 years, except for fuel contamination and some cooling component failures. The engine starts and runs well, with some smoke, but uses little or no oil. However, having it out in the sunshine is too good an opportunity for a refresher to pass up. So, we have removed the head for a look and determined that it is time for pistons and liners, bearings, etcetera. Now the question of rebuild versus replacement comes up. Rebuild looks like half the cost. We plan to move aboard for full time cruising within a year. We own extensive spares for the old engine, and have experience in its care, feeding and repair. The new high-speed engines are smaller, lighter, and may have better fuel economy. A new engine will require modifying the engine beds, etcetera. Parts for a new engine may be more readily available in out of the way places, but of course the sun never set on the British Empire which produced our block! So, the $7,000 question, the difference in price between rebuild versus replace is, what would you do, and why? This sum represents months of the cruising kitty... "
" I have my 1974 Westerbeke 4-230, 70Hp, British Leyland block, engine out of our Dickerson 41 for hull repairs. There have been no problems with the engine in the last 15 years, except for fuel contamination and some cooling component failures. The engine starts and runs well, with some smoke, but uses little or no oil. However, having it out in the sunshine is too good an opportunity for a refresher to pass up. So, we have removed the head for a look and determined that it is time for pistons and liners, bearings, etcetera. Now the question of rebuild versus replacement comes up. Rebuild looks like half the cost. We plan to move aboard for full time cruising within a year. We own extensive spares for the old engine, and have experience in its care, feeding and repair. The new high-speed engines are smaller, lighter, and may have better fuel economy. A new engine will require modifying the engine beds, etcetera. Parts for a new engine may be more readily available in out of the way places, but of course the sun never set on the British Empire which produced our block! So, the $7,000 question, the difference in price between rebuild versus replace is, what would you do, and why? This sum represents months of the cruising kitty... "