[alberg30] conversion to deisel?

[owen truitt]

From: owen truitt <alberg30 at juno.com>

Catherine, I'd think long and hard before popping for a diesel conversion
in a boat of that vintage.   As previously mentioned, you can forget any
meaningful resale premium.   And by the time you've got everything done,
including a new instrument panel and most likely new engine beds/mounts
constructed - none of the available diesels are true "drop in"
replacements, tho some come fairly close, together with the other
modifications - you'll get back very little change, if any from a 10K
bill.

 IF the boat  - except for the engine - is in  Bristol condition and IF
you fully expect to keep her for 20 years or so, then you might make a
case for conversion.    Otherwise I'd spend some time and effort on your
original  A-4.    The fact it hasn't been used for several years isn't 
necessarily a death sentence for it.    If it  was winterized (water
drained or antifreeze pumped thru the cooling system) previous to its
hibernation and none of the major castings;  block, head and manifold are
cracked, you've got something to work with.   No doubt there'll be some
stuck valves, maybe gummed up rings, etc.   You can have that engine
rebuilt for  $1,000 -$1,500 and If  you've a place to work on it (garage,
workshop, etc.) and are reasonably familiar with engines you can do the
job yourself for less.     All the major automotive machine shops are
knowledgeable about A-4's and can handle such tasks as magna fluxing
castings, cleaning out water passages, crank grinding, cylinder boring,
valve guide installation, etc.    Parts are readily available.     And
It's really not hard to remove and replace the engine from an A30.   You
can also get a rebuilt  A-4 outright for around $3,000.   Should you go
that route, it makes sense to get  the latest style engine (1970 or
later)  recognizable by a Delco electrical system rather than Prestolite,
 the oil fill location at the flywheel end instead of at the reversing
gear area and the thermostat housing in top of the head.

You mentioned safety and quietness.   With a proper fuel system and
reasonable care, you'll be safe either  way.   You don't still have the
steel tank under the cockpit, over the engine, I hope?    (some of the
A30's were built that way).    And BTW,  very few diesels will be quieter
than a well tuned A-4 with a proper exhaust system. <G>.

                                                                         
                                                                    Owen
Truitt    A30  #456   PERDIDA

                                  
                   
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