Repower Advice

[mrwright]

Ok, I've posted this ALL over the place and I'm getting some good information ... but I've always been a fan of this forum and what you guys think ...

SO ... I just bought a 63 Trojan 3100. I know that it's last engine was a Ford Interceptor 302 and its original equipment was some sort of big block v8 but i have no idea what. Somewhere along the way, that engine was pulled and now there's nothing there. In cleaning the bilge I also removed the BW Direct Drive Tranny and I'm not sure what kind of shape it's in other than the fact that it DOES spin.

Anyway, here's the question: I have two options for my repower and I'd like your guys' thoughts on them.

A) I have a running, functional Isuzu C240 that puts out 60hp on her best day with a 2:1 transmission. This engine runs great and could easily be bolted in and I'm off and running. While I wouldn't be planing my estimations are that the boat would do around 10kts at WOT while using 1gph.

B) I have a line on a GM Chris Craft 350 for $1000 but I don't know how it runs (but it DOES run) or the hours or how long it will last, etc. etc. I think there's enough power it in to get the boat up on plane while burning around 10gph. I could also probably find a 454 Crusader engine for it.

The boat will be mainly used for living aboard with some short crab and fishing runs. Long range cruising will be a rarity.

If you were in my situation, what would you do?

[defever]

i'd vote for plan A...10 kts isn't bad (think of your repower boat as a trawler), 1 gph is great and it doesnt sound like you're going on any world cruise...p.s. i'd run the little deisel at abot 80% wot so as not to stress the little bugger...good luck..

[nhschneider]

I think you're being optimistic with the Isuzu. Diesel engines consume about 1 gallon per hour for every 18 hp used.

Fair winds and calm seas.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by nhschneider

I think you're being optimistic with the Isuzu. Diesel engines consume about 1 gallon per hour for every 18 hp used.

Fair winds and calm seas.

Agree. I think you should at least double your estimated fuel consumption up to about 80-90% of hull speed. If you try to get 10 kts you would be pushing max hull speed and I would triple that or more.

[djmarchand]

10 kts is probably on the hump part of the curve. Lots of torque required as the boat tries to climb over its bow wave to get up on plane. Your Isuzu probably doesn't have enough torque to get over the hump, so it won't plane.

But slow down to about 7 kts and you might get by with 1 gallon per hour.

10 gph for the Crusader gasser cruising at about 15 kts sounds about right.

[speedoo]

If you decide to sell the Isuzu, send me a PM with info. I am looking for a diesel for my sailboat, with at least 60hp.