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Echo Papa was commisioned in 1971 and has the original Perkins 4107. It starts first time and runs well with the usual oil leaks and it does tend to overheat when even slightly stressed. We are considering a new engine and the Beta 38 or 43 seem the best replacements but will be happy to take advise.
Hi
Good to hear of Echo Papa. I looked over her in 2003 in Ardrossan (I have some pictures of her then if you are interested). I put in an offer which was refused so went on to buy Ronar M instead. Ronar also has her original Perkins 4107 which I am told will go on for ever if looked after. Before going to the expense of a new engine try changing the thermostat – I did this on Ronar with very good effect. Also it might be worth removing the heat exchanger and cleaning it out – could be blocked with salt and other marine crud.
If you do decide to re-engine the Beta range is very highly regarded (made just up the road from me in Gloucester). Beta Marine packages are very comprensive – including electrical loom and instruments etc. Also they are very good at fabricating engine mounts for re-engining situations. Good Luck.
Cheers, TrevorHi
We fitted the Beta Marine 42hp and was very pleased with it, perfect for what we needed, it was fitted in 2006 and has always been very reliable, it is a smaller unit than the original Mercedes i found this to be an advantage when clambering around the engine servicing it.Steve aboard “RUBYS RASCAL”
Hey all. I assumed everyone had the 4-107, as original equipment. It’s not a great motor..really just a suped up 4-90. I switched over to a 48hp Ford Lehman, with a crash box, in 2003, and though I wouldn’t recommend it to others, it has worked out really well for Orion. 6.4 knts at 1700rpm..burns 1 liter per hour. It was not the easiest repower I’ve done..had to fabricate mounts and power transfer plate.
michael
OrionIf you think it might be worth trying to clean the heat exchange to deal with the overheating, you may want to look at our experience with Rainshadow’s 4-108 heat exchange. We posted a description of the project here: http://svrainshadow.com/?p=288
Also, you might want to verify that the temp gauge is accurate, and the overheating is not just an uncalibrated gauge. I have one of these nifty handheld optical pyrometers you can get for just a few tens of dollars. We use it to measure various points on the engine – for reference and possible use in troubleshooting. For instance, I know the heat exchange body should be about 170F on the raw water/fresh water side, but 130 on the raw water/oil side; and the raw water outlet is about 100F.
I manage 4 boats with 4-108’s, and have delivered around a dozen more, powered by one. The 4-108 is a great motor. I would go way out of my way to maintain, rather than replace one of them. But the 4-107 is a very different beast. Parts are difficult to find. No rebuild kits exist. The unsleaved block does not machine well. They become weazy, oil-dripping dinosaurs. One version of the 4-107 has an ingenious oil cooler/heat exchanger combination. But it’s just not a reliable motor. Also the Thames marine gearbox, that was paired with the 4-107 is hopelessly obsolete, and very difficult to service.
Well, well, well. It’s interesting how different people view the same product. My 4107 has been and is superb. Very reliable, no oil leaks – I do have the version with the combined oil and water cooler/heat exchanger & perhaps that makes all the difference. Also I have the Thames Marine Products gearbox which is also excellent. I took it off few years ago and had it rebuilt at the TMP works. It’s smooth and effortless and hopefully will go on for another 40 years. Cheers, Trevor
Well, well, well. It’s interesting how different people view the same product. My 4107 has been and is superb. Very reliable, no oil leaks – I do have the version with the combined oil and water cooler/heat exchanger & perhaps that makes all the difference. Also I have the Thames Marine Products gearbox which is also excellent. I took it off few years ago and had it rebuilt at the TMP works. It’s smooth and effortless and hopefully will go on for another 40 years. Cheers, Trevor
Yes we all seem to have different experiences with the Perkins, mine is the original fitted 4-108, god knows how many hours on her, but starts if I just show her the key! burns no oil, no smoke, and no leaks either, so like Orion I go out of my way to maintain what is a very good and reliable engine, meaning oil changes more often than recommended hours run, clean oil is the life blood. Been tempted to do a top-end overhaul but resisted it on the basis of not fixing what is not broken. She recently ran for 1 1/2 days non-stop when wind died on me, not ideal sailing but I knew she would get me home, a tireless workhorse I would not change for a modern one.
I also have the Thames Marine gearbox, PO rebuilt it, he was a marine engineer so knew what he was about, I keep the gearbox well topped up with oil as recommended.
Grey Wolf has a Vetus M4.17 (marinised Mitsubishi) Engine 42Hp complete with TMC60E 2:1 gearbox, fitted in 2011 by NWAME, I am happy with it, had no problems with it. It replaced a Mermaid Meteor II (marinised Ford) which had given 16 years service, it in turn replaced the original 4107 that threw a small end and would have required a set of four new pistons and cylinders and new gearbox.
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