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Mercury Diesel’s 3.0L engine conversion
oscar1
Member Posts: 740 ✭✭✭
I am wonder if any one had experience with the new Mercury diesel engine. Plus can a gas Rinker boat be convert to diesel one. I wonder how difficult can be to convert my 350 mag gas engine to the new mercury 3.0L diesel engine.
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PC BYC, Holland, MI
Bayliner used diesels in their 2858 and 2859 models. Boats of @5 tons.
The 5.7 was faster than the diesels by about 5 to 7kts. The 454 was nearly 12to 15 knots faster than the diesel.
Expect your boat to be slower than your 5.7. diesels sip fuel but at the expense of top speed and a much more narrow torque curve.
Bravo 3 of that era didn't hold up to diesels as well as a bravo 2. I've heard the new bravo x models that are made for diesels are better but I'd still choose a b2 over a b3 for reliability. They rate outdrive for max HP but I find its the diesel torque pulse that eats soft metals and bearings in inside transmissions not necessarily the power.
Before I'd settle on a mercury 3.0 package in anything over 23 ft I'd call the diesel marine experts in Texas who sell the marinized Duramax 6.6. they import them from a Swiss company, a set up used in military boats, Aussie and USA.
You won't be putting the stress on the 6.6 you're putting on a 3.0. more torque means more speed. The 6.5 should be faster than your 5.7.
As for new "clean diesels" they don't like to idle for long periods of time. Check into this before you buy. Many newer inboard diesels require 2 hrs of running 80% or better throttle for some 20 to 30% of the total operation time. This keeps your egr, injectors and rings from getting coked or carboned up. This may not be an issue for you but for someone like me who uses their boat as a trawler with lots of fish trolling I usually have to make it a point to run it at 3200 rpms once a month for a good half hour.
Either way if you get the 3.0 I'd love to know how she performed. I'm not sure who makes their 3.0 now that their marriage with VW fell out after diesel gate.
Found this, interesting read. may help.
https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/837200-mercruiser-bravo-drives-diesels.html
And this one. https://www.justanswer.com/boat/5wvab-bravo-3x-stern-drive-powered-diesel-yamar.htmle,
I'm no expert just trying to help. That swap is above my pay grade.
Regards,
Ian
The Third “B”
Secretary, Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club
https://www.rcyachtclub.com/
I've ready that Fiat/Chrysler was supplying the new mercrusier 3.0 diesels via internet forum rumors. All I've seen on their advertising and info page is "made in USA". The Transit vans have 3.0 v6 diesels with the MB badge which has ties to Chrysler via ownership and USA based manufacturing facilities. The new jeeps come with a 3.0 diesel option but I'm not sure if it's v6 or not. That being said, if it was a motor designed with help of Mercedes diesel engineers it's likely a kick **** motor. Again, internet rumor but I'd love to know. OM642 is the engine I'm thinking of. And yes used in jeeps and sprinter vans.
Back when mercrusier was selling the VW motors you could use a Ross tech cable (sub 400 bucks) to run your own diagnostics and adjust torsion value after timing belt change. Literally the same diagnostics tool you hook to your lap top to turn the day time running lights off in your Audi or Jetta. Saves hundreds in service charges from the Marina or dealer. I wasn't sure if the new line of mercrusier could have the same potential but if they spent millions or billions making their own motor from scratch then having to get it EPA certified, is keep all but dealers locked out as well.