[C320-list] Ahoy owners with Perkins engines

[Warren Updike]

Rollie, I have replaced the Perkins water pump because of a leak. I purchased the pump from tadiesels.com, a Perkins dealer. As I recall the pump cost about $250, which is a rip-off considering what automotive pumps cost. With the gaskets and hoses, I think the bill was near $300. I continue to buy my Perkins stuff from them. Perkins parts are costly no matter where you buy them. 

It was not a hard job to do as boat engine jobs go. All of the connecting hoses should be replaced as this is the only time it can be done easily. The alternator has to come out to do this job. While all this stuff is out, it's a good time to check the primary connections on the starter. While at it, remove the rubber covers on the heat exchanger and pull out the tubes to inspect. I found my tubes were quite clear and needed no attention. I did find a number of impeller blades sequestered in there from the prior owner.

Warren & Pattie Updike
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay

-----Original Message-----
From: argates2nd at comcast.net [mailto:argates2nd at comcast.net] 
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 6:32 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Ahoy owners with Perkins engines

The Perkins in #182 ran well the past .2 weeks in FL after 6 months on the hard. Today, after running 15 minutes, an unholy noise developed which appears to be the water pump for the closed circuit coolant freezing up and causing the alternator belt to spin over that top pulley, screech, and burn. 
The pulley spins ok now with the belt off and some turning -- but not real smoothly. 
Has anyone experienced this problem? 
Can the pump be repaired or a bearing replaced? 
Any ideas will be appreciated. Our FL club racing starts in one week. Rollie #182 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Warren Updike" <wupdike at hotmail.com> 
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 6:13:29 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Ahoy owners with Perkins engines 

>From what I understand, a flex coupling has two main benefits: 1) provides a 
level of vibration isolation; 2) acts as a shock absorber in the even of a 
fouled or struck prop. 

Typical engine room soundproofing will reduce the noise that is transmitted 
through the air. However, a fair percent of engine noise is not transmitted 
through the air; but, directly through the hull as vibration via the 
transmission, engine mounts, and shaft. A flex coupling dampens some of this 
vibration preventing it from reaching the hull. The primary function is to 
protect the drive train. 

Not much chance of striking a prop on the ground with a sailboat; but, here 
in the Chesapeake it's not at all rare to capture a crab trap line in the 
prop. I've had several such incidents, and a very common event is for the 
line to wrap on the prop/shaft and haul in the float to wedge between the 
hull and prop. Nothing will stop your engine as fast. Imagine the stress on 
the drive train. With a flex coupling, the shock is absorbed by the 
coupling. The coupling might even part. Better to ruin a $300 coupling than 
have a bent prop, shaft, and/or other damage. 

Warren & Pattie Updike 
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar" 
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay 


-----Original Message----- 
From: Kirk McCullough [mailto:kirk.mccullough at telus.net] 
Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 11:24 PM 
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Ahoy owners with Perkins engines 

It's a good thing to keep in mind. I did the SS shaft at the same time and 
also installed the Kiwi prop. The Kiwi puts a heck of a load on the gearbox 
in reverse so I feel safe with ZF10. 

Whats the benefit of the flex coupling? 

Kirk 

-----Original Message----- 
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com 
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike 
Sent: 24 October 2009 13:26 
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Ahoy owners with Perkins engines 

Yes, in fact when I contacted Foley about rebuilding my Hurth 50, they 
recommended I go to the ZF10/Hurth100. I think it is about 10mm longer than 
the ZF5/H50; and, indicates that I should shorten the shaft which I decided 
not to do. Instead, I had the HWB50 rebuilt at a shop near Annapolis for 
about $750. 

In the future should I find the need to deal with the transmission again, I 
will definitely go with the upgrade, replace the shaft with SS, and add a 
flex coupling. I figure that will cost about $700. 

Warren & Pattie Updike 
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar" 
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay 

-----Original Message----- 
From: Kirk McCullough [mailto:kirk.mccullough at telus.net] 
Sent: Friday, October 23, 2009 3:55 PM 
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Ahoy owners with Perkins engines 

Another option is to get the ZF 10 (hurth 100) which is designed to take the 
29 hp the Perkins can deliver, in fact as I recall it's good up to 45 hp. 
The ZF 5 or ZF 6, just like the Hurth 50 is really on the edge of the 
specification for our engines. The ZF 10 a little longer but otherwise is a 
direct replacement. 

Kirk 
#124 

-----Original Message----- 
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com 
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Warren Updike 
Sent: 22 October 2009 09:27 
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com 
Subject: [C320-list] Ahoy owners with Perkins engines 

Actually, this is about your Hurth transmission. FoleyEngines.com is an 
authorized facility for Perkins and ZF/Hurth products. This is not a 
recommendation, just a heads up for owners that may not know about Foley. 
Check this out: 

http://archives.subscribermail.com/msg/9ca93553bbd5413abfd0e5ce4695fe78.htm 



Warren & Pattie Updike 

Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar" 

Middle River, Chesapeake Bay