Perkins T6354

[kanyonman1]

I have had Perkins engines of the smaller type (4108). But looking
at a DeFever 40 with Perkins T6354. About 115 HP I think. Wondering
if anyone has any experience with these. I believe they have about
2000 hours on them. Thanks

 

[Goldenstar38]

I have 2 of the later T6354-4 (Range 4) engines and they themselves are great. Very strong and reliable. It's the bolt on accessories, like the Manicooler (multicooler) for the turbo, trans, engine oil cooler, built into one unit. These are very expensive and hard to find.

 

[jleonard]

If it's a T6.354 then it is rated at 160 BHP.
HOWEVER many people mix up terminology with these engines.
Find out what year they are and if they are T6.354 or T6.3544 engines. They are different. Each has it's own "issues" (all engines have issues, not picking on Perkins).
Serial numbers will tell exactly what they are but I don't think I have the code list any longer. Someone else may.

 

[gaston]

I have had Perkins engines of the smaller type (4108). But looking
at a DeFever 40 with Perkins T6354. About 115 HP I think. Wondering
if anyone has any experience with these. I believe they have about
2000 hours on them. Thanks

2000 hours ? they are just run in the blocks and internals would be fine a valve adjustment wold be on the cards its just the bits that hang off like the marine conversion cooling generator and starter that may show their age .

 

[kanyonman1]

Thanks for the info. The boat is a 1974, so think they are original engines. Has anyone had rear seal leaks? Had that problem with the 4108. I will be looking at the boat kin
a couple of weeks and get more info. Any idea on the cost of the added on stuff.
Thanks again for the info

 

[gaston]

1974 and 2000 hours in a wet damp boat hull is something to give very big consideration to.

 

[Tink]

I've had them in 2 different boats. Heat exchangers are expensive and somewhat scarce when they need replaced. The only thing I've ever had to do was have the injector pumps rebuilt. Great engines. I wouldn't worry about them. Is this boat in Texas?

 

[kanyonman1]

The boat is in Florida and not sure of all the info. Will check it all out when I get down
there. I see there are a couple of Gulfstars for sale in Florida also, and will probably
look at those also

 

[Tink]

I looked at a Defever 40 in Texas. I loved the boat but I could not get my wife to buy into the deal. I ended up with a Gulfstar 43 trawler, also in Texas. I really liked the single engine in the Defever. Lots of room in the engine room. But.... you have to be careful with those old Defevers with steel fuel tanks cause they can be rusty/leaky and very expensive to fix. Gulfstar has fiberglass tanks molded into hull. Plus, the Gulfstar feels bigger inside. Tradeoffs are a part of boating. I have a bunch of information on both boats if you need it to research your purchase. If you are looking at Gulfstars you need to read Capstans refit thread called "a Bad Monkey Tail". He did a fantastic job on his.

 

[kanyonman1]

It's really a toss of dice. I am looking for my fourth boat. Something wrong with
my brain I guess. Have always had sail, but now being older, thinking of a trawler.
But with that type, the engine is the big thing, not having the sail for back up. So
guess I will find a real good engine guy for a survey of the engine when I find the
the boat I am interested in. Anyway, thanks for the good info. Lots of boats out
there, just need to find a good one to get over to the Bahamas for a couple of years.

 

[High Wire]

I have had Perkins engines of the smaller type (4108). But looking
at a DeFever 40 with Perkins T6354. About 115 HP I think. Wondering
if anyone has any experience with these. I believe they have about
2000 hours on them. Thanks

Just to be clear, Non-turbo 6.354s are around 120-135 hp depending on the year. Turbo is the "T" in T6.354 and are 160 to as high as 270 hp.

 

[ianonhercules]

I had a Defever knockoff (Hardin 39) of the same vintage for over 20 years with the same engine. It was 160 HP. Parts were readily available. Belkamp Enineering in Bellingham Washington has an intercooler replacement for about $1000 and Sendure have main heat exchanger. Current owner replaced ex. manifold recently and the oil/trans cooler too. Starter is a Delco Remy and is rebuildable for a little over $200. In over 20 years engine never let me down except when the intercooler sprang a leak and I ran for a couple of years with it bypassed. I ran between 1500 and 1650 RPM and at the latter I got an honest 8 knots with a little over 7 at 1500, which I found quieter and more relaxed. The only caution I might add is to beware of the counter-rotating engine as some parts are unobtainable. This engine type is identified by an X in the serial #
Good luck,


Ian

 

[CaptTom]

Just to be clear, Non-turbo 6.354s are around 120-135 hp depending on the year. Turbo is the "T" in T6.354 and are 160 to as high as 270 hp.

My 1982 T-6.354's are allegedly (according to all the documentation I got with the boat) 200HP. But I've seen other numbers for what I thought was the same motors tossed around. I've always wondered about this.

 

[Mrwesson]

Mine is 160hp and the engine can make decent power at the expense of reliability.

200 is the sweet spot but i've seen tractor pull guys turn these things up to 500hp.. Wouldn't last long in a boat.

They are great engines on par with the Ford Lehman 120 but no better.

 

[ianonhercules]

Perkins T6-354

"My 1982 T-6.354's are allegedly (according to all the documentation I got with the boat) 200HP. But I've seen other numbers for what I thought was the same motors tossed around. I've always wondered about this"

My understanding is it depends on the shape of the intercooler. The 200 HP has a large square intercooler attached to the back of the engine and the 160 HP has the cylindrical intercooler of about 10" long and 4 or 5 " in diameter. These were interim versions before the range 4 with the manicooler. (bad news)