Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 01-19-2016, 07:14 AM   #1
Member
 
City: Stuart Fl
Vessel Model: Marine Trader 44
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 7
Ford Lehman 120 rebuilds v/s older running engines

I have had #6 piston in my Lehman 120 fail and several pieces break off the top. The engine has 2400 hours and wondering if it is better to have it rebuilt or look for an existing running older engine.Looking for more opinions on this issue
papamac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2016, 07:23 AM   #2
TF Site Team
 
Larry M's Avatar
 
City: Jacksonville
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 11,682
Rebuild or swap out with another FL120 is what I would suggest. I'd talk to Greg at Bomac Marine. I know a boater who dropped off his FL120 and left with a re-manufactured one for about 10K. That was a few years ago so the price may have gone up.

Ford Lehman Engines | Parts | Service | Bomac Marine



http://www.bomacmarine.com/pdf/reman...ehman-ford.pdf
Larry M is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2016, 07:32 AM   #3
Guru
 
Capt.Bill11's Avatar
 
City: Sarasota/Ft. Lauderdale
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,438
I guess it depends on over all costs differences between the two choices.

I think rebuilding your existing engine is perhaps the best way to go. That way you have a "new" engine. And normally you don't have to pull it out to rebuild it.

Now if you go with a different engine, and after you pull out the old engine, you get the chance you really clean up the engine space and paint a lot of areas that are hard to get at with an engine in there. And you can paint the replacement engine as well before you put it in.
Capt.Bill11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2016, 07:47 AM   #4
Guru
 
jleonard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,037
I think a lot depends on what damage was done internally when the piston broke.
Until you asses that, you won't know what it would cost to rebuild yours.

If the choices are sourcing an old engine vs a one rebuilt by a reputable shop (trading in yours as a "core"), I would probably go with the rebuilt.
__________________
Jay Leonard
Ex boats: 1983 40 Albin trunk cabin, 1978 Mainship 34 Model 1
New Port Richey, Fl
jleonard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2016, 07:57 AM   #5
Member
 
City: Stuart Fl
Vessel Model: Marine Trader 44
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 7
Thank-you gentlemen for your info. If a rebuild is to be done , does anyone know of a
reputable machine shop in the Florida area
papamac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2016, 08:12 AM   #6
Enigma
 
RT Firefly's Avatar
 
City: Slicker?
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 16,565
Greetings,
Mr. p. Do NOT ask Bomac for a reference. A "mechanic" they (I can't remember who on the Bomac staff I talked to) recommended was a dud. For parts and over the phone information, Bomac is fine but otherwise????
__________________
RTF
RT Firefly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2016, 09:05 AM   #7
Technical Guru
 
Ski in NC's Avatar
 
City: Wilmington, NC
Vessel Name: Louisa
Vessel Model: Custom Built 38
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 6,194
It all depends on whether cylinder bore was damaged. Sometimes a piston fails and cylinder is ok with a quick hone cleaning. That can usually be all done with engine in the boat.

If bore is damaged, then engine is best to come out, and an exchange reman might be best bet.
Ski in NC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2016, 09:43 AM   #8
Veteran Member
 
Busterbrown's Avatar
 
City: Corona
Vessel Name: SCRAMBLER
Vessel Model: 1974 Grand Banks 32 #536
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 74
Papamac I second what ski said. It sounds like the head is off can you post some photos of the cylinder wall. I too had to bore 6 and put a bigger piston in. http://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/s...lap-17797.html
Busterbrown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2016, 12:33 PM   #9
Guru
 
Nomad Willy's Avatar
 
City: Concrete Washington State
Vessel Name: Willy
Vessel Model: Willard Nomad 30'
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 18,743
Since the engine only lasted 2400hrs it's supprising you would want to rebuild it.
__________________
Eric

North Western Washington State USA
Nomad Willy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2016, 12:56 PM   #10
Guru
 
River Cruiser's Avatar
 
City: UMR MM283
Vessel Name: Northern Lights II
Vessel Model: Bayliner 3870
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,357
I would be looking for the cause of the failure and make sure it isn't repeated on the rebuild, also check the valves to make sure the pieces didn't do any damage. I've repaired many engines with a failure on one cylinder, new rod/piston assy and liner, send the head out to check for flatness + related gaskets and back in service. Be sure to check liner height on all cylinders and if wet liners do not roll engine over without retaining liners with bolts and washers so the seal isn't disturbed.


Sent from my iPad using Trawler Forum
__________________
Ron on Northern Lights II
I don't like making plans for the day because the word "premeditated" gets thrown around in the courtroom.
River Cruiser is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2016, 06:34 AM   #11
FF
Guru
 
FF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
"Since the engine only lasted 2400hrs it's supprising you would want to rebuild it."

There is a large difference between wearing out an engine , and having some sort of failure that kills it.

At a few GPH these engines seem fine.
FF is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-20-2016, 09:24 AM   #12
Guru
 
READY2GO's Avatar
 
City: Marathon, Florida
Vessel Name: Walkabout
Vessel Model: 1989 Sea Ray 380 Aft Cabin
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 521
I ordered some parts from Bomac last week. They really are great people to deal with. Since our engine is almost 40 years old I have been curious as to what a rebuilt FL120 would cost so I asked while I had them on the phone. They quoted me $9,800 for the 120 hp and $8,500 for an 80hp plus shipping. She guessed shipping to Florida would be about 400 to 500 dollars. If and when the time comes this is the route I will take.
__________________
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." Mark Twain

www.mikeandsharondunsworth.blogspot.com
READY2GO is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:34 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012