To clarify my comments: if, in fact, the engine is just plain being
difficult, I agree that replacing it could make sense. However, if it's
working, has only a couple of thousand hours on it, and the initial
object of the exercise is to deal with an ailing transmission, I think
swapping the engine is overkill.

I am not a fan of Volvo engines. I spent some time this past weekend
dealing with a friend's MD21B; the fuel bleeding procedure alone is far
too complex and open to disaster. I have encountered some very
discouraging accounts of parts availability and cost. I know there are
folks who like their Volvos but, in the course of running Baba-L, I have
seen enough to make me think there are, percentage-wise, fewer happy
Volvo owners than, say, Yanmar or Universal owners.

Nonetheless, I'd think carefully about making the change, given the
circumstances described in the initial note. Assuming the engine hasn't
been flogged or abused, 2000 hours is "nicely broken in" in terms of use
and wear. Alternators and pumps are, for all intents, accessories and
may be changed at any point so don't enter into the "old and tired"
assessment directly. OTHO, if you're looking at 4-5K hours, maybe it is
time to think about a change.

Rick Emerson
S/V One With The Wind, Baba 35

Jack McKay wrote:

>Hi Rick,
>Your advice on a Yanmar engine to replace the Volvo MD 11 is very much
>appreciated. Yes, I agree, for peace of mind, it is time to make the
>commitment and replace the "old" and "tired" engine.
>Jack
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Rick Ballreich [mailto:rick # ballreich.net]
>Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2005 9:54 AM
>To: Baba, Panda and Tashiba
>Subject: Re: [baba] Replacement engine
>
>[...]
>
>I am the silent half of Mandisa but on this subject I must speak out.
>With all due respect to my illustrious colleague from the grand state of
>
>Optimism, Old is Old. Seriously, all Rick E. has said is true or
>trueish. Though one must consider a few additional factors, how much
>time are you willing to spend working on an old engine? There is a huge
>IF involved here. How well has the engine been maintained if it has
>received excellent care,you have a chance of enjoying a positive
>scenario. If not it will be one darned repair after another.
>
>For the sake of enjoying the boat, the safety of not having an engine
>quit an inopportune time, a smoother,quieter and more powerful engine.
>Ditch the volvo and get a Yanmar 3GM30 (it could be a YM) it fits
>beautifully in the baba 30 (we have a 3GMF) with excellent access 27 hp
>and a 2yr warranty. It comes with a new engine panel a 60 amp hr
>alternator, engine mounts ect.
>
>Even with the 3GMF with only 900 hrs on it I wish I had simply repowered
>
>when we got the boat it would have in the long run been not that much
>more expensive (even counting my time at 10 bucks an hour.
>
>
>



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Received on Wed Jul 13 15:07:03 2005