Repower an E27 or an E29 survey

[Dave Hussey]

Query: what engine to repower an E27 or an E29

No one has commented on this question so far...
If you have an E27 or an E29:
Please tell us what auxiliary you have.
What RPM do you get the best performance at.
What is your speed over the ground at that rpm.
What diameter , pitch and number of blades you have.

I have an old MD6B Volvo diesel which is rated as 10 hp. My recent change to a three blade bronze Michigan prop (11x6 ) might have been too agressive because the maximum rpm I can achieve now is 1200 with 4 to 5 knots over the ground...whereas the takeoff was a two blade 10-1/2 x 5 and the poor little stink pot screamed at 2200 rpm to make hull speed (6 knots).

please offer your information...this could be a valuable resource for anyone thinking about repowering!.

The only advice I can offer for repower is to keep with a clockwise turning propellor....my Volvo is CCW and this creates horrible steering issues with the offset shaft on the E27.

 

[frick]

repowered my e29

Greetings,

I am not sure if you are still interested as your post is now rather old.

3 years ago I re-powered my 1971 e29 with a Yanmar GM20F. It is not a cheap thing to do... I was able to keep the cost done by doing a great deal of my own work, and by having a good friend in the busyness... even at that the new Yanmar was $6500. (it comes with most all the controls) I also had to upsize my shaft to a one inch, but it did fit into the tube. My Prop is a two bladed RH14 X 12. I had a Martec with the Atomic 4, and saved a few dollars by going to a two bladed prop. By the time I was down I spend $7300 is materials.

In the end I would do it again, because I really like my boat.

Rick
Sailing the Great South Bay

 

[Dave Hussey]

I'm greatful for the reply. When you increased the shaft size, (was this required due to the engine horsepower?) how did you deal with the cutless...was a 1 inch inside diameter readily available that fit the strut or did you have to have one custom machined? Did the YanMar fit the engine compartment without remodeling the interior?
I now know that my wife would never approve of the cost to repower since it would nearly double the cost of the boat so all I can do is pray that my Volvo keeps on chugging. I am starting to research a reversing gearbox to change the rotation of the propellor in forward gear...I wonder if such a device is manufactured...or can a diesel be made to run in the opposite direction? just thinking outloud. Oh well, I keep telling myself, its a boat...A $ail boat at that!

 

[frick]

repowering the 29

Greetings,

The old atomic 4 turned as 12X6 prop. The Diesel turns as 14X12 which means it is slower turning, but has a great deal more torque. The Manufacturer and my prop guy said that this was a necessary change. The larger cutlass bearing fit perfectly into the existing strut.

The Yanmar fit perfectly into the same space as the A4 except that it sits a bit taller and is lighter. I hand to build a box top to go over the engine, but that has not proved to be a problem.

It was bit of money, but it was sure cheaper than another boat! It also gave me huge reliability, and it extends my motoring range. The A4 used a gallon and hour and the yanmar uses only about a 1/3 gallon an hour.

rick+
Sailing the Great South Bay of Long Island
E-29 - Leviathan