OMC to diesel

[iow]

Hi has anyone replaced there 2.3 ford engine and kept the OMC Cobra leg if so what did you use ?

[Frosty]

Lancing marine, Southampton.

You can google it.

Most of these guys are Americans and wont know what a 2.3 is.

I would be surprised if Lancing could not sort you out with anything for anything.

I assume that is Ilse of White?

[marshmat]

Hi iow,

How old is your Cobra? And why do you want to replace the engine- are you trying to get more power, or is the current motor on its last legs?

The Cobra should, theoretically, be compatible with most engines under about 300 hp or so (I can't remember the 'official' rating). But don't be surprised if a bit of engineering ingenuity proves necessary to get the exhaust and all the control linkages to join up properly. And do keep an eye on the shift cable- the Cobra's bad reputation is mainly due to gearset failures caused by faulty shift cables sticking in a partly-engaged position; if the cable is properly adjusted, the Cobra should easily have a lifespan of 20-25 years or more. (The gearset is about a thousand bucks, sometimes more; replacing an older shift cable with the redesigned one is around $80.)

[iow]

I have been onto the guy's at Lancing Marine I know Mike from marshaling at the power boat races yes the Isle Of Wight.

story is I have had Jet ski's up till a few year's ago and this year brought a Baylinner bow rider 1989 with the Cobra leg 2.3 took it out a few times a few small problems but nothing bad as the boat had been stood for a while.But having 2 owners from new with all paperwork first 10 years in fresh water in vgc seemed to be a good deal even with that it does not seem worth paying out 4.5k on new leg and engine.
Then the last time out it started getting water into No 1 cylinder and oil don't ask where from as can not find the problem not head gasket .Fluid checked the head and cylinder still can not find it.

So went on to try and find another engine the UK pinto is different and can not swap flywheels the Ford WM engine Escort RS2000 does not fit due to sump The Zetec 2000 is way to much wiring and starter again .
I am in the process of trying to get a 1.9 TDI engine in there but there has to be a better way as they say???

[TollyWally]

Off the top of my head, the oilpan problem seems the easiest to work around. My .02.....good luck

[iow]

You would think so but they are made of alloy and the starter is a very tight fit .So even if I welded a bit in side the sump and ground the outside away I would not have been able to put the last 3 sump bolt's in.
It is proving to be a real nightmare thought it would be easy to get another 2.3 from some where.

[TollyWally]

Damn, if it's not one thing it's another!

[Frosty]

Repair the 2.3, probably a cracked head then if you say its not the gasket.

[marshmat]

iow,

Your boat and drive are already 20 years old. At this point it's really necessary to do an economic analysis on your various options:
- Repair the existing motor and keep it running as long as possible
- Replace the motor with an identical one
- Repower with a different motor, keeping the same drive
- New engine/drive package

There isn't much point in putting lots of money and time into mating a new engine to an old drive if the drive itself only has a few years left before it dies. But if your drive is in good shape, well maintained, and has had its shift linkage/cable upgraded to the new version, it could very well last another 10+ years.

My guess (and this is just a guess) is that your cheapest option would be to get the current motor checked out and fixed up by a good specialist mechanic.

[iow]

I agree with what you have said and the options the boat it's self is in good condition the drive is good having had new gear's and full rebuild a few year's ago.
It has had the cable upgrade and shift's gear no problem I think it is in good shape as only having about 110HP put through it all its life.
As for the engine well that has me stump ted I have had year's in the motor trade and have had a few friends look at it we can not tell what is going on with it .The inside of the engine show's no sign of any wear at all it has been well looked after or has not done a lot of hour's. I was so sure there was nothing wrong with it I got a head gasket set £114 and put it back together only to find same problem it is so bad that it will only run on 3.

I can not find a engine the same 2.3 Ford we did not have that engine in the UK it seems to be a USA only thing so replacing the engine like for like is out.
A new engine drive package is £4500 plus VAT being a 20 year old boat the sums do not add up even if the boat looks 5 year's old.
re power is the rout I have taken but it is proving to be a real problem finding a engine that will mate up being Ford you would think there would be loads of engines ? If I lived in the USA may be better to find part's like different adapter plate or right handed exhaust for the leg.
I put this post up to see if any one else had repowerd there leg and what engine they used as I am still trying different engines .
At the moment I am trying to get a VW 1.9 TDI engine to fit I am having to make a adapter plate but still have a few other problems to get over.starter drive plate.and last of all my pet hate wiring why do we need all this on a diesel engine ?

[Frosty]

What did lancing marine say?

110Hp is not much what about a Nissan diesel.

Again your mate mike should be able to help more than anyone here.

[iow]

Nissan is not popular on the island but was reading on the forum that some one was thinking of doing it using much bigger heavy engine I can only get a 4 pot into my engine bay.I wanted to use a engine that I can get part's for local for easy upkeep or if some one had done this to there leg so all the problems had been worked out must be some one out there that has done this
I am waiting to talk to Lancing in a meeting at mo

[Frosty]

4 pot or a V6.

In my day we would marinize the old Granada and Capri 3 liter v6. They were popular in the old Dateline Bounty and Bikini. Been out of the Motor trade now 25 years don't know anymore.

Im sure Mike can direct you.

[iow]

Also in our day 3 wires and you could run a engine 1 wire for a diesel not like now doing the knitting and find the ECU
I have to ask what was wrong with the old throttle cable why do we need fly by wire ??

[Frosty]

Keep it simple on your boat, dont go for all that crap.

Does the RNLI charge you for a call out.