I am going to repower my Pearson 365 this winter. It currently has a Perkins 4-108 with a Borg Warner 1:1 transmission and a Walter RV-10 v-drive. I am very interested in repowering with a Beta Marine. Has any one repowered with a Beta marine with this transmission configuration? The current engine faces aft(backwards). I wonder what challenges this will bring up when I repower?
I appologise for not replying sooner but I have been out of the office for a week. There are 7 or 8 Pearson 365's that have been repowered with the Beta Marine BV1505. We can supply this engine set up to accept your Velvet Drive transmission and this adaption kit includes an oil cooler for the transmission. To make your servicing easier we can supply a number of engine options; 1) a rear facing raw water pump (easily accessed through the galley side of the engine) and this makes no difference to your cost.
2) We can supply a remote oil filter and mount this and the oil change pump over the flywheel housing for easy access. This option does cost a few $.
3) If you go with the multi-groove belt drive system (standard with the 100 amp alternator and optional with the 65 amp) you will have a belt that very rarely needs any attention and thus the front of your engine (which faces the rear of the boat) will need very little attention.
This engine performs very well in the 365 and is smooth and quiet. It is about 100 lbs lighter than the 4.108 and works very well with the Borg Warner(Velvet Drive) and RV10 Walter.
If you call me at the office I can let you have the current pricing.
Thank you for the information. We are currently in Annapolis, Maryland, and after much research and frustration with Annapolis diesel mechanics, we bought a Beta marine 37.5 from Walter Isaacs of Highlander diesel in Edgewater, Maryland. He has been incredibly helpful from the start. We will have the engine installed by Walter's marine diesel mechanic this winter. It really appears to be the best repower option with our configuration.
If there is any Pearson 365 owner who repowered with a Beta Marine that you can put us in touch with, that would be great.
I know that Walt will look after you well. If you phone me at the office I can let you have the names and contact info for two different Pearson 365 owners who have the BV1505.
