universal M18 3 point front mount bracket

[adamv]

Time's come to replace the rusty 3 point front engine mount bracket - however, the only part i can find (301057) has unnecessary optional 4 point mount lugs which may not even fit in my ER. Its also $787! For reference, the same part for the next engine size up part is only $80 (and this IS 3 point only the design that i see on every M18 photo ive found online - just too big for M18)

Has anyone found other part numbers or sources for this part?

Ive looked high and low for the 3 point part or even its part number and it seems just not be in existance. Im wondering about buying the $80 part and finding someone who can chop it and weld it to size, but rather of course not do this.

https://www.westerbeke.com/parts manual/200139_m-18_parts_list.pdf its part 301057

 

[jssailem]

Adam
It sounds like you would like an OEM part, yet when you discover the Westerbeke price of OEM, you would prefer to explore a more moderately priced item that would serve your purpose.

Many here are out-of-the-box thinkers, yet may have no idea what your Newport 28 motor mount installation looks like.

Perhaps a picture of your "rusted" setup might help provide ideas to resolve your challenge.

 

[adamv]

Adam
It sounds like you would like an OEM part, yet when you discover the Westerbeke price of OEM, you would prefer to explore a more moderately priced item that would serve your purpose.

Many here are out-of-the-box thinkers, yet may have no idea what your Newport 28 motor mount installation looks like.

Perhaps a picture of your "rusted" setup might help provide ideas to resolve your challenge.

Thanks, yes correct!! Price is a consideration, but I would also prefer to replace the exact design and the design of the only part i can find is subtly different. If you compare the image in the parts list above to the photo below you'll see the additional 4-point lugs that i dont need and will only hamper access:

 

[rgranger]

A competent welder or machinist would charge a lot less than $800 to make one for you!

 

[adamv]

A competent welder or machinist would charge a lot less than $800 to make one for you!

Yes, its just a replacement so i already have the measurements and can literally cut it up ready to be welded- but really, this seems crazy! The M18 was a very popular engine and there's plenty still running so why isnt anyone making aftermarket parts?

 

[Richard19068]

The M18 was a very popular engine and there's plenty still running so why isnt anyone making aftermarket parts?

I think there are many parts available for that engine, specifically parts for the Kubota Z600 rather than the Universal Westerbeke M18. I imagine the problem is that the part you are looking for, the bracket, is a pretty robust part and there is most likely not a very big demand for it.

I see that your bracket is pretty rusted but have you considered removing it and cleaning it up to see if it is salvageable? Obvioyusly you need a new motor mount but maybe you could get away with cleanup and maybe some kind of reinforcement of the bracket?

 

[jssailem]

why isnt anyone making aftermarket parts

How old is your boat? Your just getting around to needing a replacement. There were 1000 Newport 28 boats built between 1974 & 1981 world wide.
That is not a large market for an OEM replacement part. Perhaps there is a new part that will fit the problem adequately, just not OEM.

 

[adamv]

How old is your boat? Your just getting around to needing a replacement. There were 1000 Newport 28 boats built between 1974 & 1981 world wide.
That is not a large market for an OEM replacement part. Perhaps there is a new part that will fit the problem adequately, just not OEM.

i did stumble across a document which lists the number of units sold. The M18 was far and away the most popular engine sold with 2500. Not huge, but i imagine most of these are still on the water and need parts on occasion.

Anyway, I figured out this part is made of a single bar of 1/2 inch sheet steel. It just needs some nice straight cuts made.

im wondering if the replacement can be done in the water? i guess id need to disconnect the coupling and support the engine very well

 

[jssailem]

I agree.
Yes, I would support the engine as you lift it. I used wood blocks and wedges when I lifted my engine out of the boat.

Some people use the trick of putting something like a basketball under the engine and inflating it to raise the engine.

Engine parts for your M18 are likely available. They would be more universal (fitting on more than just the M18) and require more frequent replacement. You may find them on engines other than under the Universal label.

I suspect the bracket used to install it on your boat is not an engine OEM part. The part, I guess, is based on the finished specifications of the engine deck/stringers. I suspect it was fabricated just for your boat.

Your idea to fabricate your own makes lots of sense. An alternative would be to find a wrecked Newport 28 and see if the part was in decent shape and scavangable.

When I rebuilt my 1973 engine, finding new, unique parts like the high-pressure fuel lines was a pain. I ended up finding them from a scraped engine. Installed, they worked as well as new.