[Public-List] Adding a Universal diesel to stock A-30 engine beds

[Randy Katz]

Greetings, Charles,

I would *not* add a diesel engine to the stock A-30 bed without reinforcing
it strongly. Diesels vibrate much, much more than gas engines and require a
stronger footing. Any literature about this change will say the same thing.

I learned this the hard way when I bought my boat that had a new M3-20B
diesel on the original A-4 gas engine bed in the boat. Atomic 4s are the
engines that many (all?) of the original A-30s came with. The beds were
L-shaped or maybe U-shaped fiberglass. NOT built for diesel.

After a short time with the diesel, that engine bed began collapsing. I
ended up pulling the engine, having the beds rebuilt in Anacortes so
they're now rock *solid* and appropriate for diesel. No problems since, and
that was 20 years ago.

I believe the M3-20B was built as a replacement for the Atomic 4s. Maybe
other Universal diesels were too. For measurements, see the
Westerbeke/Universal website. You'd really have to compare those to your
existing beds in order to plan new beds.

Here's a link to info about my diesel engine. The "Technical Documents"
link goes to further details.
https://www.westerbeke.com/category/M3-20B/5399ADA2DAF73A26740BF67C#mainoverview
 You can find a page like this for any of their engines.

Diesel engines are great, but you'd be taking a chance by plopping one on
the original beds. My opinion.

Best Regards,
Randy Katz
Simple Gifts #249
Seattle/Bellingham, WA


Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2019 14:44:49 -0500
> From: charles pleisse <velocharles1 at gmail.com>
> To: public-list at lists.alberg30.org
> Subject: [Public-List] Universal engine
> Message-ID:
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> oKxNfOD8gfU+To_6z5DWxA6eng at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
>
> Does anyone have a Universal M-25XPB (3cyl diesel) in their A30?  I'm
> curious if one would fit on stock engine beds in a pre-liner boat.
>
> Charles Pleisse
> SOOKIE
> #221
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Fri, 15 Nov 2019 11:53:42 -0800
> From: Glenn Brooks <brooks.glenn at comcast.net>
> To: Alberg 30 Public List -- open to all
>         <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> Subject: Re: [Public-List] Universal engine
> Message-ID: <75ACEDC0-6EC6-49C7-B201-6CB7D08A4B67 at comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset=utf-8
>
> I had a similar universal M-25 in Dolce.  Pretty much uses the same engine
> Mounts as the old gas engines.
>
> Because of mis-alignment problems during the initial repowering years
> previous, by the prior owner, I eventually replaced the engine bed mounts,
> with fabricated 1/4? x 3x3 angle iron and new vibration dampening mounts.
> Very simple to do.
>