I need to repower a Pearson 323 with Volvo MD11C and Walter v-drive. Do you have any advice (or maybe previous customer's experience) on what engine bed modifications are necessary to handle the ZF v-drive angle and geometry differences?
Also (just wondering), would using an independent mount Walter v-drive be an option that might simplify installation and give better stuffing box access?
The Pearson 323 is actually a fairly easy boat to repower compared to others with a v drive.
The only 2 issues are; 1) carefully cutting out the upright piece of cabin liner that stops you having good access to the engine. You must cut carefully as you will want to re-use this piece later and 2) the engine beds are at the wrong angle for the new V drive. This is taken care of by using 2 pieces of 3"x3" aluminum angle and bolting it to the the existing engine beds to make new beds at the correct angle for the new V drive transmission.
I wouldnt use a remote Walter V drive on this boat because of cost and you really dont have the space for it. The stuffing box will be somewhat easier to access with the new V drive but it still will be under the transmission.
Regards, Stanley
-- Edited by Stanley on Thursday 4th of June 2009 01:46:14 PM
I read somewhere that new engine angle would have to be negative (like -2 degrees sloping down aft instead of down toward the bow).
Does that sound right and is that OK with Beta?
Also, I wrote you last year with a "what if" on a similar topic and you suggested that we might reuse the walter drive with a velvet drive 1:1. Do you still believe this to be a good option?
Last year I was not as motivated as now. Our boat now is out of commission and berthed two states away. It needs an engine before hurricane season gets really popping.
I would use the Beta 25 or Beta 28 with the ZF15MIV transmission with 2.13:1 ratio. Either of these will provide the easiest installation.
The Velvet Drive is an option but you cannot lock the shaft when sailing as it is an hydraulic transmission. I would use the ZF v drive and make the modifications detailed in my earlier post.
Here is a photo of the Beta 28 in a 323. You can see the modified engine beds and also that there is much more room around the engine that there is with the old Volvo.
On the 28, we can offer a raw water pump that is serviced from the transmission side of the engine. The owner of the boat shown opted for the standard pump because he says that he can easily get to the front of the engine through his ****pit locker.
I can only offer the one raw water pump on the 25 and it will be accessed through the ****pit locker.
Regards, Stanley
This program is censoring out the first 4 letters of ****pit. I guess that big brother is watching out for us. Use the word sail locker instead!
-- Edited by Stanley on Friday 5th of June 2009 03:09:07 PM
-- Edited by Stanley on Friday 5th of June 2009 03:12:27 PM
Looking at fitting a Beta 91 Cu inch (1488cc) 35 HP to replace a 2003 Volvo Penta through a V drive. Lack of room and depth for the deep sump which I want means that a hydraulic option is looking very attractive with the negine facing forward. Parker Hannifin seems to be the system of choice. Are there any examples of the set up with this sytem available? Regards, John Stanley Burns.
