Diesel engine for "Dowty Turbocraft" boat

I have three "Dowty Turbocraft" Canadian version boats with Ford Zypper engine, 6 cylinder. I wish to change the engines with new Diesel Engines.
I seek assistance in this regard. Please suggest a suitable engine.

 

mr

Hi,
Firstly Iwould suggest that you use a locally produced diesel engine so that you cold get the spares easily.
Secondly, can you please tell me whether the zephyr engines you have come with aluminium or cast iron cylinder heads.
Thank you
Richard Wos

 

richard id like to replace my zephyr engine with more welli,,ive iron cylinder heads..do you have suggestion?wallis@homechoice.co.uk?

 

To detirmine the SIZE diesel needed , do you have some actual GPH/rpm from the old engine?

Are you willing to replace the tranny & shafting , stuffing box and struts , to go faster?

You will find the HP rating needed much lower in a diesel , should you only wish to maintain the existing performance.

Are you willing to marinize a tractor or lorry engine , or do you prefer the same marinization done for you by a works?

FAST FRED

 

Dowty Turbocraft

Hello,

The engine have castiron cylinder heads. I have three engines one with stitches, two engines do not have the original carburaetor. All standard cranck shaft.

Regards,

Singh.

 

Hi All,
If I remember correctly the Ford Zephyr sold in Europe usually had a 2.0 litre V4 of about 75 hp at 4500 revs. If funds allow I would go for a Steyr 2144 cc diesel which is light even when fully marinised at around 250 kg. They come in 86, 95, 110 , 144 and 174 hp at around 3300 to 4000 revs, but are very expensive. If you want to fit a cheaper light diesel and can marinize it locally, then try the Peogeot 405 turbo diesel or better the Peugeot 406 HDi turbo diesel 90 to 110 hp. Fitting an old tractor engine in a Dowty turbocraft will sink it!

Good luck
Hugh Mattos Explorer Marine Devon England

 

Regarding the Dowty Turbocraft boats the English model was the small one and had a Zephyr 6 (straight 6) of 2553 cc. The automobile version was advertised as "feel the big pull of a hundred horses" (pre emission control days!) but in the boat the jetpump holds down the revs to 3500 which was 70BHP. Don't worry about the jetpump as it will easily cope with the power of a 3.5 litre Rover V8 petrol engine. The problem is getting enough power and enough revs from a diesel. Steyrs are going to be too expensive but Rover Maestros (cars and vans) were made with a 2 litre Rover/Perkins diesel that gives about 80BHP (turbo). The naturally aspirated engine is less powerful but easier to marinise. For hobby use the turbo model would be best but some way of cooling the exhaust manifold and turbo is needed (water pipes welded on? or air blast cooling from a fan?) Allegedly water cooled turbos do exist but the cost is excessive. A better turbo diesel engine was made by VM Motori of Italy. These have been fitted to Rover 825s and some Range Rovers. The uprated 2.5 litre gives over 100BHP and it does not rely on a timing belt. As these were originally designed as marine diesels they are very strong but they are heavy. Another good engine is the Peugeot 2.5 turbo that went into Leyland DAF vans.
Good luck with your conversions 7 best regards from David.

 

As time goes by the diesel engines are becoming more powerful and less heavy. The latest 2200cc Peugeot HDi, now also used by Ford in the latest Freelander gives 136bhp out of a very light engine - so look out for a smashed up Peugeot or Citroen....

Good Luck

Hugh Mattos
www.explorermarine.co.uk
Devon England