Re: Repowering a dual engine 1970's Trojan
Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2016 9:18 pm
A couple of things to consider before rebuilding are; Have they been rebuilt before, and if so, I'd try to find out to what spec. I'd also think twice about rebuilding blocks that have seen salt water for most of their life so look at these things first at least.
I wouldn't go "minimum" with this vintage. One rebuilder's idea of a rebuild may be different than someone else's. Compare apples to apples on what they'll replace. Major components will be measured and reused if they fall within spec or machined if possible. The typical hardware will be replaced like bearings, seals, valves, springs, rings, etc. etc. Ensure the oil pump actually gets rebuilt or replaced, and consider new distributors, preferably electronic ones. Rebuild the carbs and have the intake and exhaust manifolds checked, and if the budget allows, replace the at least the exhaust manifolds. Nothing worse than going through all this trouble, having an almost new engine only to have a major failure because an old manifold started leaking into the engine.
Can't reset the hour meters but you should record the reading after the rebuild for future reference.
If you don't already have it, a nice upgrade would be closed cooling, especially if it's a salt water application.
Some of the items I mentioned in the previous post should still be considered while the engines are out like ensuring you won't have to pull engines again to get to failed fuel tanks, and given the space you'll have, it'd be a good time to replace seacocks, blower hoses, etc. Anything that is easy to get at should be considered while the engines are out (within reason), again, the wallet dictates here.
Are you having problems with the 318s?
I wouldn't go "minimum" with this vintage. One rebuilder's idea of a rebuild may be different than someone else's. Compare apples to apples on what they'll replace. Major components will be measured and reused if they fall within spec or machined if possible. The typical hardware will be replaced like bearings, seals, valves, springs, rings, etc. etc. Ensure the oil pump actually gets rebuilt or replaced, and consider new distributors, preferably electronic ones. Rebuild the carbs and have the intake and exhaust manifolds checked, and if the budget allows, replace the at least the exhaust manifolds. Nothing worse than going through all this trouble, having an almost new engine only to have a major failure because an old manifold started leaking into the engine.
Can't reset the hour meters but you should record the reading after the rebuild for future reference.
If you don't already have it, a nice upgrade would be closed cooling, especially if it's a salt water application.
Some of the items I mentioned in the previous post should still be considered while the engines are out like ensuring you won't have to pull engines again to get to failed fuel tanks, and given the space you'll have, it'd be a good time to replace seacocks, blower hoses, etc. Anything that is easy to get at should be considered while the engines are out (within reason), again, the wallet dictates here.
Are you having problems with the 318s?