I learned a bit about Universal 5432 engines during my recent re-power project and figured I'd write down what I know so maybe someone else won't have to chase their tail like I did.....
Universal 5432 are based on a Kubota engine, specifically the V1501 model. Actually, Universal just bolted on an exhaust manifold, heat exchanger, raw water pump, engine mounts and a transmission, spray painted it all GOLD and sold it.
Kubota V-series engines apparently share the same engine block. The V1301/2, V1501/2, V1701/2, V1901/2 are all the same except for cylinder bore. The gasket kits are the same, except for the headgasket obviously. So if you need a new engine a rebuilt V series short or long block will bolt right in where a 5432 or M40 was. The difference between the V1501 and V1502, and the other 1/2 models is the timing cover, waterpump, and some other things like the oil filter mount, etc. But the block is the same so you could swap your old parts onto a new block.
The serial number for these 4 cylinder Kubotas is stamped right next to the injection pump on the machined face of the IP mounting boss surface. Universal does a great job of covering this up with paint so that you really have to scrape to find it. Gee I wonder if they knew that that was the key to cheap parts? The serial number is the KEY to getting what you need from a Kubota source.
For some reason there are two different V1501's. The early model has a one piece oil pan and the later a two piece pan. The two piece pan, which I have, needs an extra gasket which is NOT in the standard Kubota gasket set. I just ordered the Universal gasket to save time, its wasn't cheap.
Part numbers:
Kubota upper gasket kit #07916-24245
Kubota lower gasket kit #07916-29605
Universal marine transmission damper for Hurth HB100 #U298454
Universal lower oil pan gasket for 5432/V1501 #U299560
I have two Kubota shop manuals in my possession and they cover both the V1501 and V1502 respectively. An interesting discrepancy I found is in the cylinder head fastener torque specs. The manual for the V1501 called for 65.1 to 68.7 ft-lbs. The V1502 actually has the spec broken out by serial number, 57.8 to 61.5 ft-lbs and 68.7 to 72.3 ft-lbs respectively. Lastly, the Universal manual has yet another spec, 54 to 58 ft-lbs! I went with the Kubota specs for the V1501. I have no idea why there would be so many different specs for what is essentially the same head and block. Only Kubota can say.....
The local Kubota dealers were not really able to help me if I did not have a Kubota part number. They wanted a "tractor" model to be able to pull parts. I ended up ordering from two different places. SouthEast Power Products in Florida was most helpful. They knew everything about my engine without hesitation. The only issue was they were not supposed to sell to me as I was out of their "region". This is funny as the "local" Kubota distributor in NJ referred me to them! I got them to COD to me. Will posting this get them in trouble? I hope not but I'm trying to help sailors so there it is. The second place I delt with is an operation called Country Sales and Service. They could get everything I needed but it took a little longer. I ended up with two complete gasket sets, one for a 1501 and one for a 1502. Two complete gasket sets with shop manuals was still HALF was Westerbeke wanted for just the full gasket set!
The V1501/2 is no longer made and not readily available in an off the shelf remanufactured form. The V1701/2 is however. It is slightly more powerful and will accept all the parts from the 5432/V1501/2. They sell for @$2900 which is MUCH cheaper than you will find for any "marine" reman.
I also got some parts and a transmission rebuilt at Hansen Marine in Marblehead, MA. As expected, marine parts are priced like they are made of solid gold, however Hansen is a very knowledgeable supplier and they stock lots of parts. Good to deal with. There is another local rebuilder, Foley Engines in MA irritated the crap out of me. I considered rebuilding my old engine and asked them for a ballpark quote. They told me that they couldn't possibly give me ANY idea on cost, just ship them the engine and they would give me a quote. Horseapples. I'm not an idiot, I've been working on engines since I could turn a wrench and I know its a simple thing to add up the cost of all possible machine work and parts, add the labor and there's the quote. If you are such an experienced rebuilder then you damned well know what the average cost of a rebuild is. Don't play that game with me.
I was extremely pleased with the overall quality of the Kubota engine. It is a true heavy duty industrial engine. The machine work was top notch, the internal parts were massive for the output. It was simple to work on too. They even went to the trouble to paint the INSIDE of the engine block, though I've done this on some racing engines its something I've never seen in production automotive engines. You can't go wrong with a Kubota based marine engine.
Hope this helps someone. I accept no responsibility for the accuracy of this information, confirm it before spending your money!
RT
Universal 5432 are based on a Kubota engine, specifically the V1501 model. Actually, Universal just bolted on an exhaust manifold, heat exchanger, raw water pump, engine mounts and a transmission, spray painted it all GOLD and sold it.
Kubota V-series engines apparently share the same engine block. The V1301/2, V1501/2, V1701/2, V1901/2 are all the same except for cylinder bore. The gasket kits are the same, except for the headgasket obviously. So if you need a new engine a rebuilt V series short or long block will bolt right in where a 5432 or M40 was. The difference between the V1501 and V1502, and the other 1/2 models is the timing cover, waterpump, and some other things like the oil filter mount, etc. But the block is the same so you could swap your old parts onto a new block.
The serial number for these 4 cylinder Kubotas is stamped right next to the injection pump on the machined face of the IP mounting boss surface. Universal does a great job of covering this up with paint so that you really have to scrape to find it. Gee I wonder if they knew that that was the key to cheap parts? The serial number is the KEY to getting what you need from a Kubota source.
For some reason there are two different V1501's. The early model has a one piece oil pan and the later a two piece pan. The two piece pan, which I have, needs an extra gasket which is NOT in the standard Kubota gasket set. I just ordered the Universal gasket to save time, its wasn't cheap.
Part numbers:
Kubota upper gasket kit #07916-24245
Kubota lower gasket kit #07916-29605
Universal marine transmission damper for Hurth HB100 #U298454
Universal lower oil pan gasket for 5432/V1501 #U299560
I have two Kubota shop manuals in my possession and they cover both the V1501 and V1502 respectively. An interesting discrepancy I found is in the cylinder head fastener torque specs. The manual for the V1501 called for 65.1 to 68.7 ft-lbs. The V1502 actually has the spec broken out by serial number, 57.8 to 61.5 ft-lbs and 68.7 to 72.3 ft-lbs respectively. Lastly, the Universal manual has yet another spec, 54 to 58 ft-lbs! I went with the Kubota specs for the V1501. I have no idea why there would be so many different specs for what is essentially the same head and block. Only Kubota can say.....
The local Kubota dealers were not really able to help me if I did not have a Kubota part number. They wanted a "tractor" model to be able to pull parts. I ended up ordering from two different places. SouthEast Power Products in Florida was most helpful. They knew everything about my engine without hesitation. The only issue was they were not supposed to sell to me as I was out of their "region". This is funny as the "local" Kubota distributor in NJ referred me to them! I got them to COD to me. Will posting this get them in trouble? I hope not but I'm trying to help sailors so there it is. The second place I delt with is an operation called Country Sales and Service. They could get everything I needed but it took a little longer. I ended up with two complete gasket sets, one for a 1501 and one for a 1502. Two complete gasket sets with shop manuals was still HALF was Westerbeke wanted for just the full gasket set!
The V1501/2 is no longer made and not readily available in an off the shelf remanufactured form. The V1701/2 is however. It is slightly more powerful and will accept all the parts from the 5432/V1501/2. They sell for @$2900 which is MUCH cheaper than you will find for any "marine" reman.
I also got some parts and a transmission rebuilt at Hansen Marine in Marblehead, MA. As expected, marine parts are priced like they are made of solid gold, however Hansen is a very knowledgeable supplier and they stock lots of parts. Good to deal with. There is another local rebuilder, Foley Engines in MA irritated the crap out of me. I considered rebuilding my old engine and asked them for a ballpark quote. They told me that they couldn't possibly give me ANY idea on cost, just ship them the engine and they would give me a quote. Horseapples. I'm not an idiot, I've been working on engines since I could turn a wrench and I know its a simple thing to add up the cost of all possible machine work and parts, add the labor and there's the quote. If you are such an experienced rebuilder then you damned well know what the average cost of a rebuild is. Don't play that game with me.
I was extremely pleased with the overall quality of the Kubota engine. It is a true heavy duty industrial engine. The machine work was top notch, the internal parts were massive for the output. It was simple to work on too. They even went to the trouble to paint the INSIDE of the engine block, though I've done this on some racing engines its something I've never seen in production automotive engines. You can't go wrong with a Kubota based marine engine.
Hope this helps someone. I accept no responsibility for the accuracy of this information, confirm it before spending your money!
RT
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