Wayne,

It's unlikely, IMO, that block heaters would hide any serious engine defect.
It can be advantageous to have the engine at 120 degrees before starting. A
quicker warm up means less time at high idle at the dock and is considerate of
your marina neighbors. For a Type A kind of person it can get you moving much
more quickly. Any diesel with a lot of hours will get a little fuel in the
crankcase while operating. Keeping the engines warm will help limit dilution
at start up.

I'd guess it is indicative of a maintenance concious owner to keep the block
heaters on while the engines are shut down. Especially if the engines appear
well maintained and the engine spaces are wiped down and clean.

Twin DD 12 bangers.... must be a sizeable boat or damm fast. :=)

Butch

On 07 Feb 2004 15:28:32 GMT, (JDavis1277) wrote:

Twin DD 12 bangers.... must be a sizeable boat or damm fast. :=)

================================================== ======

55 ft Hatt Sportfish, 70,000 lbs, alleged to cruise at 22 kts. The
engines do seem well maintained but are high hours and never been
majored. All new hoses, paint, Walkers and exhaust system however.
Interior is freshly redone and very nice, exterior is fairly good but
not perfect. It's a lot of boat but high maintenance and operating
costs.

Wayne,

Very nice boat.

As to the high hours engines... IMO one of the best things about the 71 Series
engines is the ease with which they can be completely rebuilt in place with
minimum overhead space. Both engines should be overhaulable(???) in a couple
of days given competent mechanics.

It's pretty much a given that the cranks will be in spec. Rods too, probably,
and a good chance all the pistons as well. However, if you're going to
consider an overhaul it's way too easy to simply change out the liners and
pistons. I've no idea of the cost thses days but the OE parts are very high
quality. While at it I'd pull the unit injectors and have them tested and
rebuilt, if indicated, too. They may just need tip kits. The heads shouldn't
need any work other than decarboning and inspection. Worst case perhaps a
valve job.

If the engines have been well looked after they'd probably go for several
hundred more hours without any excitement. If it was me and a test run
indicated nothing I'd just do tip kits and keep on huffing. Remember, any
mechanic is going to be inclined to suggest work even if it is only slighty
indicated. Gotta make a living don'tcha know?

Butch

On 08 Feb 2004 15:51:27 GMT, (JDavis1277) wrote:
If the engines have been well looked after they'd probably go for several
hundred more hours without any excitement. If it was me and a test run
indicated nothing I'd just do tip kits and keep on huffing. Remember, any
mechanic is going to be inclined to suggest work even if it is only slighty
indicated. Gotta make a living don'tcha know?

===========================================

Thanks