I am acquiring a 1981-2 C27 that has been abandoned and am getting the boat basically for sweat equity. It appears to be in pretty good shape as it has been sailed as recently as last fall. Last weekend I put some fresh fuel in it and an old battery and motor fired off an ran fine! She is going to need quite a bit of wood rework and a lot of cleaning, polishing and waxing. She will need a number of new lines and covers. Can someone tell me what the model number is of the standard diesel Atomic Universal 4 engine that was installed in the 1981-2 C27? There is a tag on the engine that says model number is #5411, but this number does not correspond with anything i have found when ordering parts. My guess is this is what is called an M-12 but I need to confirm. I am needing to some parts and don't know which model it is.
Atomic Universal Model?
- Thread starter Scoop
- Start date
The Universal 5411 also known as the M15 is a two cylinder 11hp diesel, and was installed in many Catalina 27's and 30's. The Atomic 4 is a totally different engine, a four cylinder 30hp gas engine. The M12 is similar to the 5411 but is based on a different block.
I would assume yours is the 5411 as this was the standard engine for several years. On a boat that old, however, you never know what may have been changed over the years. One way to verify is to look at the dipstick. The 5411 is based on the Kubota Z500 block, and should have "Z500" stamped on the dipstick.
If you need any engine parts, do NOT buy them from a marine dealer selling Universal (now Westerbeke) parts. Go to a local or online Kubota shop, order the parts for a B5100 tractor. These are the exact same parts at 1/10th to 1/4 the price. I recently needed new injector nozzles for my 5411, Universal wanted $401 each. My local Kubota shop had them for $71, I found them online for $40. Exact same parts. The only engine parts you can't source this way are the raw water pump, alternator, and exhaust manifold. The pump is an aftermarket Oberdorfer, any marine alternator with the correct mounting foot will work, and the manifold is not available anyway.
It's a tough little engine, strong and reliable.
One thing to check though is the wiring. If it still has the original harness with the rubber trailer type connectors, that needs to get changed. It's a fire waiting to happen. Check out Maine Sail's threads here on Universal wiring. (I can't post the links from my phone).
I would assume yours is the 5411 as this was the standard engine for several years. On a boat that old, however, you never know what may have been changed over the years. One way to verify is to look at the dipstick. The 5411 is based on the Kubota Z500 block, and should have "Z500" stamped on the dipstick.
If you need any engine parts, do NOT buy them from a marine dealer selling Universal (now Westerbeke) parts. Go to a local or online Kubota shop, order the parts for a B5100 tractor. These are the exact same parts at 1/10th to 1/4 the price. I recently needed new injector nozzles for my 5411, Universal wanted $401 each. My local Kubota shop had them for $71, I found them online for $40. Exact same parts. The only engine parts you can't source this way are the raw water pump, alternator, and exhaust manifold. The pump is an aftermarket Oberdorfer, any marine alternator with the correct mounting foot will work, and the manifold is not available anyway.
It's a tough little engine, strong and reliable.
One thing to check though is the wiring. If it still has the original harness with the rubber trailer type connectors, that needs to get changed. It's a fire waiting to happen. Check out Maine Sail's threads here on Universal wiring. (I can't post the links from my phone).
Should be either a Sherwood 1077K or Oberdorfer 6593 impeller. Brand is clearly marked on the outside of the pump so you'll know which to get. Both are available from any marine supplier, about $35, also eBay and Amazon for less.
If you have the Sherwood, put it on your list of upgrades. That pump is pretty much junk, the Oberdorfer is much better.
If you have the Sherwood, put it on your list of upgrades. That pump is pretty much junk, the Oberdorfer is much better.