[C320-list] Perkins M30 zinc?

[Warren Updike]

Put your mind at rest. There are no zincs on the M30.  Why??  I suspect it is because the heat exchanger is cast iron like the block and the elbow.  Therefore, no "noble" differences in the engine materials. There is no aluminum, just steel and iron.  Once past dihydrogen-monoxide (h20) I'm at the extent of my chemistry knowledge. Be thankful you don't have to deal with engine zincs.

While on the subject of the Perkins M30, I suspect some think Catalina moved away from it because the universal, yanmar, etc. were better alternatives.  Perhaps not so.  Perkins is a British made engine used extensively in tractors.  Around 1993-4 when the C320 was introduced, Perkins had contracted with Detroit Diesel to represent Perkins in the US market. As I understand it, the relationship didn't go well around the issue of service and Perkins ultimately joined with Sabre (perkins-sabre.com) to provide US representation.  My experience is the Perkins M30 is a workhorse. I've not had a slug of trouble with it. I got it with less than 400 hours and now have nearly 1,800. The exhaust is undetectable except for the ring around the thru-hull. It's a brute. Change the oil and filters every 50 or so hours and the beast may run forever.

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"


-----Original Message-----
From: jpmesa at aol.com [mailto:jpmesa at aol.com] 
Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 2:46 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Perkins M30 zinc?



I have noticed some of the Yanmar engine owners talk about engine zincs.  I have the older Perkins M30 (Hull #112). 
I have looked everywhere on the engine and surrounding area and I haven’t found a zinc. 
Any other Perkins owners know if we have one? And if not, why? 
Thanks, John   Holokai 2