Engine Replacement

[Mac Medlen]

I am considering the purchase of a 1982 Catalina 27 with the Atomic 4. The engine is on is last leg. I would replace the engine with a diesel. The options are the "Atomic 3" and a more economically priced marine diesel from Daewoo. Does anyone have experience with either of these engines regarding retrofit costs and reliability? Other suggestions?

 

[Bob Camarena]

Is it worth it?

Check the archives. There are several threads on engine replacements, mainly C-30s, but the costs would be easy to compare. If I recall, you're talking $6,000+, so you'd better be getting a good deal. You'd be far better off finding a boat with a good engine. One alternative would be to yank the old engine and convert to an outboard. You'll sail faster and it wouldn't be as expensive a proposition.

 

[MoeMac]

Rebulid

ALOHA THE Atomic 4 is A very good engine.Also very easy to rebuiid. Could save you lots of $$$$$$$$$$

 

[Melody Miller]

Keep looking?

Hi Mac:My '76 Catalina 27 has a '97 Atomic 4 engine which is one reason I bought this particular boat. There isn't much wrong with the Atomic 4 engine. There *are* older boats out there with newer engines so just keep looking. Best of Luck,Melody

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina]

Have to agree

Mac, you're looking at a boat that, with a good engine, is worth about $12K give or take. Replacing that A4 with a diesel will cost from $6-10K. That means, if you reaaaaalllly want *this* boat, you shouldn't pay any more than $6K for it. As MoeMac mentioned, you might be able to rebuild it fairly easily but if you don't want a gas engine, keep looking for another boat unless you're getting if for a steal!LaDonna

 

[Dave Ullrich]

Daewoo?

Please tell us more about the Daewoo marine diesels. I am thinking of repowering my Cat30, and am looking for economical alternatives to the Universal or Yanmar. Another one for you to consider is "Beta Marine" diesels. They are marinized Kubota diesels. The 13.3 hp 2 cylinter ruins around $5,000 from what I've heard.

 

[Larry Taborek]

Rebuild would be my suggestion

Hi Marc,Moyer Marine (www.moyermarine.com) offers up complete rebuilds on Atomic-4 engines. You pull your engine and they send you a rebuilt one. Cost is about $3600, which would I think be far and away the cheapest of your in-board re-powering options.I have a atomic-4 and find it to be a very reliable engine. It might have more life in it that you think, in which case it might be fixable. Can you email me at let@tecnet1.jcte.jcs.mil so that we can trade email offline.Hope that helps,Larry TaborekC27 Dixie Chicken