Brian's Repower - Gas to Diesel - 12/05

chooper · Post by **chooper** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:37 am

Hi Guys, Thanks for the compliments. I will post some more pictures on my website soon so you can see some of the work I have done. I've been fortunate to know a lot of boaters with a lot of good and creative ideas. She is a 1978 re-powered about 8 years ago with Marine Power 454s. They are fuel injected (pfi) with the sportpac upgrade @ 390hp. Cruise speed at 3400 rpm is about 22 kts. with a clean bottom. I just put new wheels on after losing a blade (in clean water at depth!) which are michigan 21 X 19. I have about 600 hours on the current engines. I could go on but I don't want to get away from Brian's forum here on his re-power which sounds great. I'd love to know what kind of cruise and burn rates are expected. Corey

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:24 am

Corey, What kind of fuel burn do you get? 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

chooper · Post by **chooper** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:28 am

Hi Capt. Ed, Without Floscans it's hard to say. After filling up and calculating several times it always comes out to around 30 gph combined at cruise or slightly less. I prefer to run depending on conditions between 2800 and 3200 rpm. The marine powers are very fuel efficient with the injection, trolling is very minimal. Marine power also have return fuel lines like a diesel, perhaps this helps but most likely not. Corey

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:49 am

Thank Cory, I am currently getting about 3/4 NMPG with Marine Power 454's. I about to change the flame arrestors to theses http://www.cpperformance.com/detail.aspx?ID=3556 to see if that improves the mileage. 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:36 am

Ed, I am also currently in the market for new flame arrestors. Will these fit the standard Merc 454's? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:24 am

Doug, I called the tech at K&N to ask that same question, as I have Rochesters carbs, and was thinking about a V-stack to force more air in. He told me that I was better off with a 10" dia. filter (or 9" if the 10" didn't fit). They also have a smooth base that channels the air in reducing fraction. I am also going to add 2 qt. oil filters and Amsoil to the engines and genset (Amsoil). I am researching spark plug types that give the best sparks, along with a high output coil. When I was younger I use to auto race and found different ways to get a few more HP out of engines, but now I just want to see if I can get better fuel performance. Interestingly, you could add a fuel rail manifold and even bolt-on a blower to pick-up 30+HP on these engines, but the cost isn't worth it. Send all product related inquiries to: [url="mailto:tech@knfilters.com"]tech@knfilters.com[/url] Phone: (800) 858-3333 or (951) 826-4000 To find a local automotive dealer in the US phone: 800-760-5319 To find a local motorcycle/powersports dealer in the US phone: 800-314-4729 K&N Engineering, Inc. PO Box 1329 1455 Citrus St. Riverside, California 92502 K&N is located off the 215 freeway between the Columbia Ave. and Center St. exits, 1 block east of Iowa. 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:52 am

Thanks Ed Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 6:20 pm

Gunny, Doug, Frank, George, Anyone Else: Is there still interest in rendezvousing this weekend (Saturday afternoon, the 28th) at Johnson's Boat Works in Cranston RI to check on the repower progress of both George's and my 33's? Would a 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. meeting time work for all. Gunny, where in Maine are you traveling from, how far is it? Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:27 pm

You are welcome Doug, are you going to use the K&N's too? Best regards, Ed 1979 Bertram 33' FBC ALEXANDRA Port Richey, Florida

Gunny · Post by **Gunny** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:17 am

Brian, 1-2 works for me ! It is about a six hour drive. Look forward to the chance to meet some of the guys! Gunny

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:54 am

Brian, I am still interested in heading down there if there is any real progress. The last thing I heard was that he hadn't really started yet? Can you give us an update? Frank Price

GMarty · Post by **GMarty** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:41 am

I might be there anyway but I agree you should check on the progress. Nothing last time I was there.

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:17 am

Just talked to Eddie Johnson and he indicated not much progress yet. My engines and generator are out, as before, with new 370's due the end of this week or first of next week. He'll probably have George's engines pulled by the end of this week. His next step will be preping engine room's with new mounts and then repainting the engine compartments. He's thinking he may have George's preped and perhaps a start at putting engines in next week. Mine will follow George's sometime after that. Let me know if the group would prefer to hold off until there is further progress or if you want to take a look at progress to date. We can hold off for another weekend or two if everyone would prefer. Let me know. Jim (Gunny), you can let me know if you still want to move forward or wait? Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT (Homeport) Kinnelon, NJ (Home)

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 7:47 am

Brian, are you going to get a chance to stop by this week? Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:25 am

I think Al and Frank would prefer to hold off. I'd still go because I'm more interested in seeing everything pulled apart than when the engine room is stuffed, but if no one else is going I guess I could wait. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA