Conversion.

[garagenc]

You will need to add ballast to offset the weight of the diesel. I helped a local here who replaced his gas inbd with a diesel and I had to add about 700lbs in ballast if I remember right. Also we had to beef up his flooring in the bow to be able to handle the sand bags (ballast). We put in double flooring so his sand bags were not laying on the walking deck.

He ended up spending so much money he could have bought another boat with a diesel, he also could have bought another engine with fuel injection (increased hp and fuel mileage).

You may look into adding electronic ignition and fuel injection as a increase in hp & fuel economy in lieu of trading out to a diesel.

[genesis08]

Just a Slight correction!Thats 5 Euros a gallon Which is about $7.50 - to $8.00 a GALLON.Thats why I need to get a Diesel !!! The Gas is Killing me.I can buy Agri Diesel For about $4.00 a Gallon its a no brainer...

Brian

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by garagenc

You will need to add ballast to offset the weight of the diesel. I helped a local here who replaced his gas inbd with a diesel and I had to add about 700lbs in ballast if I remember right. Also we had to beef up his flooring in the bow to be able to handle the sand bags (ballast). We put in double flooring so his sand bags were not laying on the walking deck.

This why jackshafting would be the best option. The added ballast would make the V ride so low that it would handle like a sinking submarine. The ALPHA drive is OK, but isn't up to the task of handling diesel torque. Also shifting would be slightly tricky as an ALPHA outdrive almost requires the momentary kill of the engine to shift out of gear(you can do it without, but it's a pain and hard on the gears in the lower). Diesels really need an outdrive with cone clutches to hold up and shift. A small ISUZU would work, but I know over here we don't have many small diesel options and marinizing can get REAL expensive REAL quick.

[spareparts]

Cummins Mercruiser does all their testing and r&d here in Charleston, SC( I had a job offer from them right up till their budget got hacked) . They have a couple of 26 Bertrams running Merc Diesels. One is using the 1.6l Isuzu diesel(twin set up) with an Alpha drive, it does OK, but it needs a little more power, the weight and size of the 1.6 is comparable to the 3.0 gas engine. The other boat is using mercruisers marinization of the VM diesel rated at 150 hp, it performs better, but the size of the VM(and their track record) doesn't make it a good choice. I have never liked the VM, they are big(bigger than a small block), use odd ball electronics, and generally don't perform well. I recently saw the Yanmar test Bertram 20 with a single BMW(used in the euro X5) in front of Yanmars own drive, it was a nice set up, but I think its too much for an Alpha. If you plan on keeping your existing drive set up, you will need to go to an alpha lower unit at the minumum. You will probably have better availability of engine choices in Europe than we have here in the States. If you have the money, a Volvo D4 Sx combo would be nice. Also, check with Styer Diesels, they have a light weight Merc replacement. If you are bound to use your existing set up, you could probably marinize an Izusu engine, but parts are going to be high

[genesis08]

Thanks Spareparts,and all other contributors,

Just to clarify,are you saying that I could use my existing drive unit with an Isuzu engine?there is like a 140 hp diesel out there which I think BOWMAN in the Uk might be able to supply a heat exchanger/manifold!!

In fareness you guys in the states know alot more about these things than we do so sorry for all the questions,but I really appreciate the help!

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by genesis08

In fareness you guys in the states know alot more about these things than we do so sorry for all the questions,but I really appreciate the help!

I highly doubt that. Diesel's have been the black sheep over here since GM came out with the 5.7L back in the late 70's. It wasn't a bad engine, but people didn't understand them and ran them like a gasser and many of them suffered early deaths. Since then the diesel market has been trying hard to overcome a bad black eye. Engines like the VW TDI and the DURAMAX helped alot in changing peoples perceptions of diesels over here, but diesel technology has only been getting pursued for less than 10 years hence why most of our small diesels are euro imports.

[genesis08]

Thanks Ferm,I know what you mean.I worked in the States for many years and all that time it was Gas engines.The new diesels here are great,I even have a 1.6 TDCI in my car and its a great engine with plenty of torque and huge MPG.These common rail diesels over here are very popular.I would find it hard to go back to a gas engine.I also have a trooper that I use with the boat and has a 3.0 Litre Diesel,Again its all about economy!

Thanks Again, Brian

[genesis08]

Hey RANDLEMAN,

Good to hear from you .How much do I spend on Gas,you really do not need to know.I just need to install Diesel and that my friend is my quest.So if you can please help?

Rgards Brian...