Diesel conversions

GMarty · Post by **GMarty** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 7:40 am

OK, you got me thinking again. I went to that site and would agree there seems to be some nice power options in reman diesels. So, why 3208 and what other options would you consider. I think it is important to use a motor that has been proven to fit into the specific boat. I am way interested but makin a decision of what the right engine is could be tough.

mak6190 · Post by **mak6190** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 2:32 pm

From my point of view.. .. If its not a CAT.. its probably a Dog! (just a joke) Cummnis would also be an option but I don't think they have the lifeline of a CAT. You can get parts and Service for a Cat in almost any corner of the world. The 6CTA or a 6BTC are probably good options. I have seen the Phoenix 34' with the Cummins 6CTA's . She runs well @ 21 cruise but seems to have a higher maintenance and also smokes a little. So.. Why these engines? I just think that Cats have a better mouse trap! There are also the CAT 3116's in the 300 and 350Hp range that blew alot of head gaskets. I would not like to try them out. Now, the CAT3126 seem like a good deal and their are newer vintage 6 cylinder Cats. They probably wiegh almost the same as a 3208 but are rated up to 420HP. Stay away from the 3208's that are tweaked out past the 375HP rating. They are not dependable. I think the best all rounder is the Cat 3208 375Hp. Their are also other issues like gear boxes, shaft diameter,prop diameter and pitching depending on the HPs you have under the hood. Their is the guy in la Guaira that put two Yanmar 420s in his 33SF. It putts along at a 30kts cruise. Like I said before.. Its all releated the number of zeros after the 1's you have on you checking account. Hope this helps.. MK

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:28 pm

I'm still thinking about 30 bucks to fill up.... The 3208's are a real possibility for me in the next 2 or 3 years. What MK has to say about them just re-enforces what I've heard from other people. The 3208 has got to be the most universally loved motor out there.Now I need to ride in one.... Frank Price

smanni · Post by **smanni** » Tue Dec 21, 2004 3:58 pm

Frank, If it means anything - I love my 3208's - but then again, I've never even driven my boat......is it spring yet?

Post by **Admin** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:07 am

Another thing to consider is that at a 375HP rating, you should be able to cruise at a little bit less RPM, and lower RPMs in general can only be good thing for the life of the engine. David Sumich Bertram33.com Forum Administrator

Post by **dougl33** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:18 am

FYI: The 375hp 3208s will not fit in the FBC's. They will only fit in the SF's. Towards the end of the 33's production run, the 320hp versions were being installed in the SF's, but the FBC's were still running the 260/270hp versions. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

GMarty · Post by **GMarty** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:29 am

Does anyone have actual experience buying the reman CATs from Goldcoast Power? Process, guarantee, satisfaction? Where else would one look for the remans? I assume there are dealers out there selling these and have them available? I would feel better buying them from someone that is local or even through my marina The website looked more like the want ad in that there were dealers selling one engine vs a pair

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 5:00 pm

On some of the engines there is a location. I assume from this, that Gold coast is a broker and sells engines from all over (not necessarily a bad thing). Probably with no real Idea how good a job was done at rebuilding them. My main worry with remans is the quality of the work and I wouldn't want to buy an engine that has a had a head welded up or something like that. For this reason , I'd either try to get all the history in the engines I was buying or find used takeouts and rebuild them myself. There's rebuilt and then there's rebuilt correctly. I have had very bad experience with an F-350 pickup with a remanufactured diesel engine.Like a rod knock, and then on the next free one, worn out rings. Remember , these things fire by compression, if you want to see hard starting and smoke, run a iesel with bad rings. I believe that for an engine to give it's best and to last , it has to be pretty much blueprinted when it gets rebuilt.Otherwise it might last and it might not.... Frank Price

Jose Jaen · Post by **Jose Jaen** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 6:26 pm

As far as I know ours was the last 33 FBC to be manufactured. Blue Chip is a 1993 model that came with 3208 320hp Cats which we bought from the original owner 5 years ago showing 360 hours on the meters. I don't fish but cruise extensively in the Bahamas and the FL keys sometimes for 11 continuous hours at 22knots and 2400revs and fully loaded. They have been extremely reliable except for once that a raw water pump broke 47 miles away from home forcing me to return on one engine. Parts at competitive prices and knowledgeble repairmen are avaliable for these engines all over probably due to their simplicity. Regretfully the production has been discontinued and replaced by more sofisticated (expensive) electronically controlled models. Happy Holidays to all. Jose Jaen Blue Chip 1993 33FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 3:18 am

That'd interesting. I have a Bertram price sheet from 1991 and that year the 270hp 3208 was the only diesel option for the FBC and the 320hp version was the diesel option for the SF. I also spoke with someone a couple of years ago who had a 1981?/1982? FBC with the 260/270hp versions. I mentioned to him that I would've liked to get a pair of the 320hp versions in my boat. He said he looked into it and that they wouldn't fit. Are you positive you have the 320's? I wonder what Bertram did in that last year that was different. If memory also serves, I believe you have a separate stall shower in that model. I think that was the only year that the FBC got that. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 3:09 pm

quote:Originally posted by franklyprice I'm still thinking about 30 bucks to fill up.... The 3208's are a real possibility for me in the next 2 or 3 years. What MK has to say about them just re-enforces what I've heard from other people. The 3208 has got to be the most universally loved motor out there.Now I need to ride in one.... Frank Price If you ever find yourself on the East Coast of Florida (Melbourne) I'd be happy to take you out for a spin in mine. I've got the 3208T 260 HP version. Down here it really doesn't matter what month it is, only decision to make is whether to wear shorts or jeans.

lunderic · Post by **lunderic** » Sun Dec 26, 2004 7:18 am

I repowered a 1980 SF with Cummins 330B. I would highly recommend these engines. Headed to the Canyon heavily loaded I cruise at 23kts burning 21-22 GPH. The only non-routine repair in the first 650 hours has been a rebuilt alternator. A total overnight Canyon trip will be ROUGHTLY 180 nm roundtrip plus 12-14 hours of trolling and the Generator running will burn 220-230 gallons.

skyking · Post by **skyking** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 7:08 am

Hi All, Spending time on the boat this week-end catching up on old posts, getting back to the forum after a year or so absence. Thanks again to Doug for his e-mail to get me "jump started" again. I was just wondering why the old gas-to-diesel conversion topic went cold in Dec of 2004. ...or has it moved ???? Of all things "33bertam" , I'd think this to be on the minds of all of us. Even if it is a distant dream, I'd think it would always remain a hot topic. Well its nice to be back, as I live in Florida now, but will continue to spend the summers on Blue Chip, here in Ct, one day I'd like to do the g-to-d conversion. As someone stated, to bring BC from Westbrook Ct, to New Port Richey Fl. (near Tampa) would cost thousands in fuel alone. I'm also concerned about 23 year old gas engines making such a long trip. I'd very much apperciate feedback about a g-to-d conversion using Cummins 6b's, in particular what horspower 6b's, is 370 to much hp, is 300 not enough ???? And most of all, hearing from people who have actually done it. Where do you get struts for 1 3/4 shafts to replace the originals for 1 3/8 shafts..??? Will my side exhaust system need to be changed, ?????? Has anyoneone done a complete listing of the total process of this comversion??? Will raw water inlets have to be inlarged????, will the small air inlets in the cockpit provided enough air ?? It seems to be a "major involvo" Glad to be back, and see it so active, and I wish everyone a great Bertram summer. Ken Ken 1982 33FBC "Blue Chip" w/454 Crusaders Westbrook, Ct.

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 8:30 am

I think 300hp in either Cummins or Yanmar form is more than sufficient to cruise our boats in the 21-23 knot range they prefer. Also, at most I'd go to inch and half shafts. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA

Brian Davin · Post by **Brian Davin** » Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:12 am

Doug, The separate stall shower in the 33 FBC was incorporated beginning with the 1990 model which I have. They decreased the V-Berth closet from 2 doors wide to 1 door wide. I owe you a picture on this still. I should get David the original spec sheet I have to post with the blueprint layout. I have the 1 1/2" shafts with 454 Mercruisers. Ken (Blue Chip), Where in Westbrook are you located for the summer? I keep mine at Pilots Point, South Yard, in Westbrook. Brian '90 Bertram 33' FBC Never Say Never Westbrook, CT