- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,265
Understand the issue.The Seacock was closed. I don't really have a water lift muffler like so many Catalina's. The design is a bit different, though similar principals. I'll sketch it out.
A story of the engine that could.... Then didn't…NOW DOES
- Thread starter jssailem
- Start date
Any ideas where the water came from? It is just strange to get water in the engine after many decades of no water.
From the photos seems like it could be a head gasket, could be another seal or a series of seals, or combination of these. But sure looks like a gasket/seal problem. I'd have to have to complete design drawings for that engine which I don't have.
dj
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,265
SUMMARY:
Removed engine and transmission about 2 weeks ago.
Learned Thursday that the transmission is rebuilt. All went smoothly. Paint shop had the case drying. I wondered if they had painted it gold to match what I suspect will be price point. In discussion I learned that the age of the transmission was somewhere in the early 70's. That an upgrade in the way the oil is managed was developed. They included this upgrade in the rebuild. That does sound good.
Damper plate and oil/tranmission cooler needs to be sourced. New hoses have been procurred.
Engine is on the mechanic's shop floor. Awaiting the process of rebuilding. Pistons were removed and 2 of which were rusted in the cylinders.
Last word from Monday last week,
Unclear reason for the rust. I had the through hull closed. Only guess is there was water still in the muffler. I do not have the typical water muffler.
What we did notice that the exhaust manifold had salt at the opening when I removed the muffler.
Could also be a blown gasket. This is conjecture at this point.
Hopeful that the rebuild will get accomplished by mid October and that I can get it into the boat before November.
Removed engine and transmission about 2 weeks ago.
Learned Thursday that the transmission is rebuilt. All went smoothly. Paint shop had the case drying. I wondered if they had painted it gold to match what I suspect will be price point. In discussion I learned that the age of the transmission was somewhere in the early 70's. That an upgrade in the way the oil is managed was developed. They included this upgrade in the rebuild. That does sound good.
Damper plate and oil/tranmission cooler needs to be sourced. New hoses have been procurred.
Engine is on the mechanic's shop floor. Awaiting the process of rebuilding. Pistons were removed and 2 of which were rusted in the cylinders.
Last word from Monday last week,
- Making a list of parts.
- In the que to be rebuilt when parts arrive.
Unclear reason for the rust. I had the through hull closed. Only guess is there was water still in the muffler. I do not have the typical water muffler.
What we did notice that the exhaust manifold had salt at the opening when I removed the muffler.
Could also be a blown gasket. This is conjecture at this point.
Hopeful that the rebuild will get accomplished by mid October and that I can get it into the boat before November.
That's great. I know you are looking forward to it lasting more than the fifty years it originally provided!
And in all seriousness I do hope you get her back in the water by November.
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,265
Friday Update.
Spoke with Scott the Mechanic. My engine is moving up in his schedule. Next week will be scheduling the Mill work to be done and begin the process of ordering parts. As parts are likely to be from a shop in England, a 1-2 week delay in arrival is my expectation. No idea how long the wait is for the mill work. Hope is that the rebuild can be accomplished by the begining of November.
Best guess now is that the salt water intrusion came from back flow in the muffler. Still checking. Will be examining the exhaust system before or during reinstall.
There is still a possibility for a Winter Cruise... I am hoping to put it on my calendar. Maybe see the Christmas lights in Victoria. Would be a great time to cruise the chilled waters and see sailors with a bottle of Henessey in the boat just to toast an arrival.
Spoke with Scott the Mechanic. My engine is moving up in his schedule. Next week will be scheduling the Mill work to be done and begin the process of ordering parts. As parts are likely to be from a shop in England, a 1-2 week delay in arrival is my expectation. No idea how long the wait is for the mill work. Hope is that the rebuild can be accomplished by the begining of November.
Best guess now is that the salt water intrusion came from back flow in the muffler. Still checking. Will be examining the exhaust system before or during reinstall.
There is still a possibility for a Winter Cruise... I am hoping to put it on my calendar. Maybe see the Christmas lights in Victoria. Would be a great time to cruise the chilled waters and see sailors with a bottle of Henessey in the boat just to toast an arrival.
@jssailem
John, you have several time alluded to not having a "typical water lift muffler". If this was the cause of your problems this would be a design flaw, which will repeat itself.
Nervous minds wish to know, what is your muffler set up? It seems that while this is all in pieces it would be a good time to change out the muffler. On the other hand it took a long time to cause a problem if the design is actually faulty.
Just looking to learn what I can from your experience, thanks
Another John
John, you have several time alluded to not having a "typical water lift muffler". If this was the cause of your problems this would be a design flaw, which will repeat itself.
Nervous minds wish to know, what is your muffler set up? It seems that while this is all in pieces it would be a good time to change out the muffler. On the other hand it took a long time to cause a problem if the design is actually faulty.
Just looking to learn what I can from your experience, thanks
Another John
This modern engine might be a good choice. IF... you decide to "go new".
I replaced our 1988 OEM Universal M25XP three years ago, and have zero regrets. I went with a Betamarine25 in my smaller boat. My model does not have the electronic fuel management modules, and our mechanic sez that's a good thing. If you replace, you will likely find that new horses are friskier than your old and tired out horses were. At least that's my experience.
And yes, I replaced our old water lift muffler and a lot of wiring around the engine. New sound insulation, too. I did much of the work, and it's very satisfying.
I replaced our 1988 OEM Universal M25XP three years ago, and have zero regrets. I went with a Betamarine25 in my smaller boat. My model does not have the electronic fuel management modules, and our mechanic sez that's a good thing. If you replace, you will likely find that new horses are friskier than your old and tired out horses were. At least that's my experience.
And yes, I replaced our old water lift muffler and a lot of wiring around the engine. New sound insulation, too. I did much of the work, and it's very satisfying.
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,265
I looked hard at the replacement strategy. Having space limits, without totally modifying the boat, the costs of the Beta Marine plus all the boat structural changes needed to use the BM engine, costs rose out of sight. The engine would be more than the boat value. No matter how wonderful and I suspect it is a good engine, it just did not make sense. So I started looking for a replacement Perkins, that would fit in the same space and marry to my current transmission. When we got the engine out and into the mechanic's shop, his assessment was the engine could be rebuilt.
So that is the direction for now. It will go to the machine shop for evaluation and milling of block and head. Parts are still available I am told. Hope the order is placed this week.
Maybe November will bring an early Christmas gift. If so I will truly be Thankful.
So that is the direction for now. It will go to the machine shop for evaluation and milling of block and head. Parts are still available I am told. Hope the order is placed this week.
Maybe November will bring an early Christmas gift. If so I will truly be Thankful.
John, I'm a little late to the party, I only noticed this thread a couple days ago. Sorry to hear about your engine woes but it sounds like you caught it at a much better time than half way around Vancouver Island.
A friend of mine had his 4.108 rebuilt a few years ago and has been happy with it ever since as he sails the Caribbean. They really are a solid engine and, if the rebuild is done right, will be just about as good as new and could outlive the boat.
A friend of mine had his 4.108 rebuilt a few years ago and has been happy with it ever since as he sails the Caribbean. They really are a solid engine and, if the rebuild is done right, will be just about as good as new and could outlive the boat.
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,265
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,265
It has been 2 weeks since my last update.
Spoke with my Mechanic today.
Status: The block and head are at the Machinist shop. They are inspecting the parts and are to report back as to the condition. Plan is that they will complete their work, Parts will be ordered this week and the mechanic expects to start putting the engine back together the 16th of October.
With that in mind, I have scheduled a week on the hard for the 27th.
Crossing fingers that all comes together.
Spoke with my Mechanic today.
Status: The block and head are at the Machinist shop. They are inspecting the parts and are to report back as to the condition. Plan is that they will complete their work, Parts will be ordered this week and the mechanic expects to start putting the engine back together the 16th of October.
With that in mind, I have scheduled a week on the hard for the 27th.
- Plan to remove stuffing box and install PSS Pro Shaft seal. With the engine out no better time to take this action.
- On the hard, anticipating an Indian summer, will paint the bottom.
- Replace the last 2 through hulls on the boat.
- Clean out the bilge
- Install the engine and transmission.
Crossing fingers that all comes together.
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,265
In this regard,,, I am in on the "MeTo" team.
