Renolt engines & trans

[Richard Marble]

I just bought a Hunter 27, 1981. It has a Renolt single diesel in it. It's a real shaker at low RPM's Loud and getting old. I heard they are hard to get parts for. Top speed is about 5.6 knots. Can anyone tell me their experiance with these engines and transmissions. Also does anyone know of a good engine for a refit. That would be easer to put in etc.

 

[Doug Moore (dmmdm145@optonline.net)]

Renault single diesel

The engine you have is probably a Renault RC 8D single diesel. Apparently, Hunter used any of three engines in the 27's about this timeWe have a 1980 Hunter 27 with this engine. It has been very reliable and fuel efficient for the 7 years that we have had it, until now. I have recently diagnosed a head gasket problem and am also looking for parts. The San Leon Renault TX Diesel repair shop is no longer supplying parts for this engine (sold out all parts last year). It was the only US-based repair shop. These engines have also been used for generators used in the military, so there are lots of these engines out there.I hope that you will share any information that you might get on parts for this motor.I have not yet found the address for a connection to Renault in France.

 

[Don Bodemann]

Had one also

I had one in a 1980 H-27 also. I thought it was a great little engine. Yes, it vibrated, but she kept going and going and going. Could be started relatively easily by rope. Note this engine does not have an oil pump, it mearly slashes the oil like a typical lawn mower. This engine has no thermostat, The tx renault guy referred to it as a "cold running engine" said if you couldn't lay your hand on the head without getting burned, something was wrong. VERY SIMPLE! If you can get the parts to keep it going, I would suggest you stick with it. With a 3 blade prop, I think we were getting close to 6 kts.