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Old 08-10-2016, 07:13 AM   #1
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Surplus Kubota 48hp swap?

Lets say for arguments sake I found an albin 27 with a bad engine but immaculate systems/solid for 2k.

What's stopping me from installing this Kubota diesel 48hp? I read about a bloke who did this swap on another forum I frequent and he put it into a Jeep Wrangler..

1999 Jeep Wrangler 2.2L Kubota diesel swap - Expedition Portal


They go for around 2-$3,000 in rebuilt condition and only weight about 400lbs.

The other side of me realizes if something can be done it would have already been done but an internet search turned up pretty much nothing(unless I searched the wrong thing).


Kubota V2203 Di or IDI Diesel Engine Rebuilt | eBay

Am I barking up a fallen tree?
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Old 08-10-2016, 07:53 AM   #2
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Not at all, once how you figure out how to cool the engine and dispose of the exhaust. Then there is the marine transmission issue and propping but sounds like it could reasonably be done.
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Old 08-10-2016, 08:11 AM   #3
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Eighty to 100hp would be better but if you are OK with 6 knots fine. The low hp may impeed resale a bit. Most people lean toward over rather than underpower.

Typical repower issues may/will pop up. Exhaust, controls, engine mounts, service side and other stuff may not be a graceful swap due to the location of things. Starter location being in the way of engine stringers is often an issue w automotive/tractor engines. Height of trans output shaft re engine mounts may be an issue.

The Albin 27 is an excellent hull. So if you do your homework and this engine is a good matchup all will be well but usually some battles will need to be fought.
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Old 08-10-2016, 08:31 AM   #4
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IIRC, Janice142 put a small Kubota in her small Schuckers and she ran into quite a few issues getting the marinization done correctly.
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Old 08-10-2016, 10:05 PM   #5
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Because of shaft alignment, motor mounts, controls, and so on, it's easier and cheaper to rebuild the existing engine or replace with another like it, than a different engine.
If you're looking at marinizing a Kubota, marine parts are probably available, but overall may cost as much as a marine engine. A non-marine, hokey installation greatly reduces the resale value.
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Old 08-10-2016, 10:24 PM   #6
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No need to use an old engine.
Just need to research all the hookups and spaces.
Repowers are'nt magic .. just good mechanics.
Consider all the hookups and spaces.
And after you start looking (open mind helps) engines will come up that you'd never even thought about.
Just think like a young man and go for it. And also like an old man and cover your bases. Just stay away from the hard to match up combinations.
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Old 08-11-2016, 12:29 AM   #7
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Janice`s issues leapt to my mind too. If you can find as identical as possible an engine in good order go for it. But if you have to redo all the other ancillaries to get it working, no, not a good idea.
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Old 08-11-2016, 01:56 AM   #8
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[QUOTE=Mrwesson;468173]Lets say for arguments sake I found an albin 27 with a bad engine but immaculate systems/solid for 2k.quote}

Mrwesson- Unless I missed something it might be good to let the forum know what make and model the 'Bad Engine' is. The forum membership then could assist in recommending replacement engines that fit the foot print of your current engine or locate a replacement of same make and model. Just saying

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Old 08-11-2016, 06:19 AM   #9
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Replacing an old engine will help resale as many folks do not to wait weeks while parts are found and shipped.

A small engine of 20-30 Hp can be found at most truck reefer shops.

Find identical running ones , usually 3 for a grand.Free spare parts.

No need to overpower a boat , you wont be advertising it in a magazine.

3 Hp per ton is fine , over 5Hp per ton on a displacement boat just costs fuel.
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Old 08-11-2016, 06:20 AM   #10
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Let me summarize some of the issues that came up with Janice's Kubota marinization:


1. Mounting and driving a raw water pump
2. Design of a raw water to coolant heat exchanger
3. Use of a non jacketed exhaust manifold and insulating it
4. Exhaust elbow, riser and water injection mixer.


Beta Marine solves all of these issues for you, but at a price.


David
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Old 08-11-2016, 07:17 AM   #11
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Once you hit the domino there is no easy way to back out. While I really like Kubota, from your description of the boat in question going back with like for like is the way to go.
Reminds me of my hot rodding in my youth. The futher I got away from stock the more I wished I had left well enough alone. Seems the Detroit engineers knew what they were doing. The Murphy Law of unintended consequences continued to beat me like a rented mule. My new best friend was the guy at the speed shop. The more I bought the bigger the promises and the worse the car ran.
There ya go...rebuild, overhaul or replace like for like. Might look like it would cost more but when it is all done and said, not likely.
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Old 08-11-2016, 01:44 PM   #12
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"she ran into quite a few issues getting the marinization done correctly".

She chose local dock walkers to do the job , instead of asking how it should be done.
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Old 08-11-2016, 05:07 PM   #13
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I've done a marinization like that. It was time consuming, but worked out well. The V2203 I think was factory marinized by Universal, so there are likely some parts out there.

On mine, I fab'd a welded dry exh manifold, a custom mixer, used a Sendure HX and a custom made adapter plate between trans and engine. My engine did not have an SAE bell, thus had to go custom. Good chance the V2203 has SAE bell, so you can buy the adapter from the tranny company. It was handy to have a plasma cutter, tig welder, lathe and vertical mill.
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Old 08-11-2016, 05:59 PM   #14
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I looked up the boats in question. Many have 4 cylinder ford leaman. Why on earth would anyone want to change from that? Kubota is good but stir in the refit changes...no way.
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Old 08-12-2016, 06:12 AM   #15
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"Many have 4 cylinder ford leaman. Why on earth would anyone want to change from that?"

If the Econopower is shot upgrading by 40 years means parts will be available in 20 -30 years.
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Old 08-12-2016, 06:32 AM   #16
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The parts are readily available for FL now. I guess that matters if you are 35 years old and never sell anything, up grade and so forth. Or Like my cousin in law that still has his bought new Austin Healy 2000. BTW, he still gets parts.
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Old 08-12-2016, 08:47 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mule View Post
I looked up the boats in question. Many have 4 cylinder ford leaman. Why on earth would anyone want to change from that? Kubota is good but stir in the refit changes...no way.
Lots of vibration comes to mind. Have'nt experenced it but it is regularly mentioned.

What engines are inferior to an FL? By your words there must be many. The best engine is mostly the amount of power it delivers. From there it's availability, size and weight, durability and dependability, parts and service availibility, noise and vibration, engine mount options along w transmission/bell housing adaption posibilities, brand bragging rights on the dock .. even color and paint.

Think about it ... there really aren't any bad engines out there. Just engines most suitable to the person involved .. needs and wants.
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Old 08-13-2016, 08:32 AM   #18
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"The parts are readily available for FL now. I guess that matters if you are 35 years old and never sell anything, up grade and so forth."

NOPE , boat purchasers are not imbeciles and tend to check into things like parts and parts prices.

See all the comments on Volvo parts supply and pricing on any boat board.

Which engine marinizer , and what base engine will be chosen and built as a drop in is a good question for whenever the Ford is over.
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Old 08-13-2016, 08:46 AM   #19
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Re FF's post I recall hearing numerous tales about some marineizers that were not so good. Most folks will blame the engine though.

A lot of marineizers don't have the engineers and other tech that engine manufacturers do. Yes I agree a marineizer shoul be chosen w some research.
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Old 08-13-2016, 10:39 AM   #20
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Ur imbecile remark, if true, how can one explain the continued existence of Westerbeke?
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