First time buyer needs help

I am looking at a 1986 Fu Hwa 34 sedan with Twin Volvo TAMD 30A engines no bow thruster but has many other upgrades. The engines have 1600 hours on them. I like the layout and the condition of the trawler but the engines are making me nervous. How many hours can they run before they fail? Worst case scenario what would be the ballpark cost to repower the vessel? I wish it had Lehmans in it I am a nervous wreck.

Welcome Busterbrown. The hours a marine engine can run are largely dependant on the care and upkeep they have received by previous owners but 1600 hrs is considered low in my opinion. Have a good diesel mechanic check them out thoroughly. Generally some of the engine components can fail long before the main engine parts require replacement eg. alternators, water pumps, heat exchangers etc. I'm sure you will hear from some folks on here that Volvo does not support these older engines and parts may be hard to find and pricey. Having said that I have a Volvo TMD40A and so far so good! Re-power with twins would likely be cost prohibitive.

Thanks for the input LaBomba, How many hours do you have on your TMD40A and do you know of any good online parts suppliers? Thanks, Mike

If you are a "nervous wreck" that is the wrong boat for you - keep looking, there's lots out there.

Volvos Tough but expensive for replacement parts

I have twin Volvos TMAD60C 250 hp. The engines will go many times 1600 hours. The parts are where the rub comes in.
I get mine from Fred and Marine parts express
fsidelinger@marinepartsexpress.com

Good service an a little discount from OEM.
My wife and I looked 45 boats in our search. With our budget we were limited to a low price range when we found this ole boat sitting up for 7 neglected years.
@ TheOffice

We discovered this truth. Most adds don't show the warts. There are very few truthful brokers. Keep looking. I wanted Yanmars because I used to teach a class on them. However the admiral wanted THIS sundeck. At that point it would not have mattered if the boat had hamsters for engine power.
I still miss my Island Packet

Xsbank said:

If you are a "nervous wreck" that is the wrong boat for you - keep looking, there's lots out there.

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Couldn't agree more.

When the right boat "picks you" the only nervousness you'll feel is somebody beating you to the purchase. The only regret you'll have is when you look back at it on your way to the car when leaving to go home.

When I was looking, I found a boat about that vintage with Volvo's. What stopped me was parts. A friend suggested that I pick a few parts I might need and try to find them. I did and passed on the boat. Just my 2 cents.

Good Luck,
Arch

Thanks everyone for chiming in. I have calmed down and just need to find a good Volvo mechanic to look at the motors if I plan on moving forward on this trawler

Busterbrown said:

Thanks for the input LaBomba, How many hours do you have on your TMD40A and do you know of any good online parts suppliers? Thanks, Mike

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I have about 1200 hours on ours, just broke in! I was fortunate that our boat came with about $10,000 in spare parts from a salvaged vessel from hurricane Katrina. I have a shaft, turbo, entire gauge package, starter, alternator, injection pump, wiring harness, manifold, etc etc. so to be truthful I haven't really needed to buy anything that I couldn't get locally (knock wood).

hi, I'm a newbie on TF but pretty well up on diesels.
Most diesel engines are good for the equivalent of 500,000 miles before any overhaul if serviced correctly.
I know it's not your side of the pond but try Volspec.co.uk for Volvo parts and also search out local Volvo plant dealers for basic engine parts as many of their dinky diggers have the same engine. Some small Volvo trucks also used the engine but may be sold over there under the White Freightliner truck brand.
Another source of parts is shipwrecksalvage.net
If your not familiar with engines I would recommend an oil analysis and pressure test covering the cylinders and cooling system which will give you a good indication of the condition of the engines.
I hope this is helpful