I've done homework!
I've done my homework. My 1983 Cat 30 as a Universal 5411 (11hp). It has the standard 2 blade prop. The engine runs fine, but is severly under powered. On flat water it's fine, I can cruise at 5.3 and top out at 5.8. But if there is any wind or waves I can barely make any headway. The engine is running fine and has fairly low hours (around 1500). This little engine was fine on the upper bay but conditions are susally rougher down here. As for homework, I'have done quite a bit. It seems that many marine diesels are based on Kubota tractor engines: Universal, Westerbeke, and BetaMarine. I know that Yanmar engines are too tall to install without significant modification. So that leaves me little choice but to go with a Kubota based engine. What I was really asking for wan't help in choosing an engine, but for peoples experiences with the shops they have delt with.