How much to rebuild or replace a 40hp diesel.

[Lasivian]

I'm looking at buying a Reliance 44. It's got a 40 horsepower diesel in it and apparently the engine was sitting in 6 in of water for several months. I'm curious what it would cost to rebuild or replace it so I can factor that into my offer.

Thanks

[Tetepare]

US$30,000

[stormalong]

An engine sitting in 6 inches of water for six months is probably scrap iron. If the water was higher than the pan or had water in the pan, especially salt water I would consider it not rebuildable. So the question is how much to replace it.

A new engine professionally installed could be the aforementioned 30K. DIY about half that.

If you can DIY it a used engine is an option. Considering the labor cost to swap engines I don't think the savings of a used engine would be significant enough to go that route.

[Jammer]

Usually the ballpark figure is $20,000 if a yard does the work. It depends on the yard and the boat, of course, and perhaps prices have gone up.


Some people describe buying a 70s boat as buying a diesel engine with a sailboat wrapped around it for free. It is rare that the expense of repowering such a boat is worthwhile.

[Caleb_Grey]

Engine itself should be $5k, depending on options and other needs, like trans and driveline which probably need replacing too, $12-15k professionally installed.

[fourlyons]

I wonder where some of you are getting your prices. I'm on the US east coast and I just bought a used Nanni/Kubota 21hp engine , with a rebuilt vee drive for $7800. I got a discounted price of $14,500 at the Annapolis boat show for a new Beta 20hp and saildrive. $2000 less with a trans instead of saildrive. Not including tax or installation.

The discounted price on a Beta 38 was $17,600 with saildrive.

Sent from my Z5157V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Jammer]

Three days to put it in at $120 an hour


Did you want exhaust with that?


Did you want a transmission with that? How about a new propshaft and cutless?


Will the engine fit on the existing stringers? Are they sound?

[Ballsnall]

Originally Posted by Lasivian

apparently the engine was sitting in 6 in of water for several months. I'm curious what it would cost to rebuild or replace it so I can factor that into my offer.

Why replace it? 6" of water on the outside of the engine is just cosmetic. Clean the rust, repaint and good as gold. Engines are fully sealed except for the intake and exhaust so internally it should be fine.

[Fore and Aft]

Ballsnall Lasivian doesn't say who was holding the tape measure when the 6 inches was measured. For all we know it might be 6 inches from the tappet cover.
Cheers

[MikeHoncho]

What does the oil look like. Seems quick to throw it out without basic evaluations

[Pauls]

No kidding. Pull the dipstick and look at it. Is there water on it? If not, drain the oil. Is there water in it? If not your engine was not damaged. Do the same with the tranny. A couple hours spent verifying reality, with the potential to save you tens of thousands, is well worthwhile.

[goboatingnow]

Guy beside me got two scrap Perkins rebuilt one himself good functioning one cost a few seals

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Three days to put it in at $120 an hour

Absolutely, Jammer.

Don't you just love how everybody seems to forget the installation labour? And as you've indicated - if the footprint of the new engine isn't the same as the old engine, LOTS of unexpected adjustments/fitting issues can arise - which means potentially even more labour + parts.

And you know my drill: 44' is WAY too big for a single-hander - especially a single-hander who doesn't know how to sail and has no experience with boats.

In fact, we have a thread on the Forum just today about a single-hander on 40' sailboat who almost lost his life going over the side, but in any case has just lost his boat.

LittleWing77

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by fourlyons

I wonder where some of you are getting your prices. I'm on the US east coast and I just bought a used Nanni/Kubota 21hp engine , with a rebuilt vee drive for $7800. I got a discounted price of $14,500 at the Annapolis boat show for a new Beta 20hp and saildrive. $2000 less with a trans instead of saildrive. Not including tax or installation.

The discounted price on a Beta 38 was $17,600 with saildrive.

Sent from my Z5157V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

I often wonder the same thing.

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by Pauls

No kidding. Pull the dipstick and look at it. Is there water on it? If not, drain the oil. Is there water in it? If not your engine was not damaged. Do the same with the tranny. A couple hours spent verifying reality, with the potential to save you tens of thousands, is well worthwhile.

I concur.