Westerbeke W70 head crack

[PolarisOne]

After spending way too much money replacing accessories on the Westerbeke W70 in Rhode Island getting the boat ready to take south, the engine started to overheat offshore 40 miles north of Norfolk. The coolant was being pressurized by the exhaust so I was pretty sure it was either a head gasket failure or a cracked head. Sailed overnight to the Chesapeake bay bridge tunnel and had BoatUS to tow me into Little Creek, VA. Mechanic pulled the head and had it pressure tested at a local machine shop. Result: Cracked between the valves in Cyl #3........ not repairable.

Anyway, the Mechanic is trying to locate a new or used head to get me back in business. So far, no luck in locating one. They stopped making the Westerbeke W70 (Perkins 4.182, Mazda HA T3000) in the early 1990s. Am I nuts to even think about replacing the head with a used one? Anyone have an idea where to find one?

There may be a new engine in my near future.

-John

S/V Orion, 1985 Bristol 47.7

[Sailmonkey]

If the engine is otherwise in good shape, I’d not hesitate to replace the head even with a used one.

Can’t be of any help locating one though.

[PolarisOne]

Thanks Sailmonkey,

Engine is relatively low time (2600 hours) and the bottom end seems good. Has new manifold, heat exchanger, main seal, overhauled injector pump, overhauled injectors and new lines, new salt water and fresh water pumps, Overhauled hurst transmission and new damper plate.

I will certainly try hard to find a new/used head before I explore a new Yanmar or Beta Marine.

[rbk]

Contact TAD, parts4engines and there is also a forum member that rebuilds Perkins. They all buy old Perkins and refurbish or part them out. You may get lucky if they have one.

[PolarisOne]

Thanks RBK. Tony at Parts4engines already responded and said that particular model is very rare so no luck. Will try TAD today.

[keepondancin]

Have you tried Hansen Marine, and maybe asking them if they can give you a list of yards that do repowering, and seeing if any have tear outs? It is very much a New England engine. Toad Marine shows one in their catalogue, doesn't mean they have it. They are a Westerbeke dealer in the midwest.

Good luck

[jimbunyard]

Try a used forklift parts place tomorrow. Forget about Perkins, ask for the Mazda HA 3.0L T3000 engine. It was apparently used in Yale and Hyster forklifts, and probably other applications, it is likely that many more were used industrially than were used as sailboat engines.

As for consumables (brgs, liners, pistons, rings, etc.), all seem readily available, complete rebuild kits are available for as low as 600.00. The parts to worry about are those added by Westerbeke, heat exchangers and such. With proper maintenance, their lives should be relatively long and static, so at 2600 hrs, if you can find a head, you should have plenty of life left in the old engine.

[PolarisOne]

Thanks Jim and Keepondancin,

My mechanic found a new and used head (without valves, etc.) from a Mazda diesel place in the mid-west.... So it appears there are options. One problem is that they are charging the exact same price as Westerbeke has listed in their parts list for a new head $1.9K.. Another option that came up is Foley Marine in Massachusetts.... They repair cracked heads, especially 200 series Perkins which are prone to cracking apparently...... Cost is approximately $1500 with a 2-3 week lead time but that includes machining the head/seating valves. They have a proprietary process where they staple the crack. Not sure I like the idea of a repair.

[rbk]

I’ve seen a video of that stapling process online before. For the price I’d try for new just make sure it’s not cracked as well.

[PolarisOne]

Cracked head update:

After long painful consideration, I have decided to pull out the W70 and install a new Beta Marine 70. I just couldn't bring myself to spend another $4K on the old engine. I would have used the overhauled Hurth gear on the new engine but the propeller calculator for the Beta 70 says I need a 2-1 ratio gear or a 24 inch propeller which won't fit the Bristol's aperture.

As a result, I am selling W70 parts including an overhauled Hurth 250 transmission (2.88/1 ratio) with isoflex flexible shaft coupler , Exhaust manifold, elbow and associated end caps and L-brackets to head, Heat exchanger, water pump">Raw water pump with hose barb fittings, and Rebuilt injector pump.

If you have a W70 this is a good chance to get basically new parts (25 hours, installed in October 2018) for half price. Parting out the rest of the engine as well. Please send me a PM and I will email you pictures of the parts and asking prices.

Best, John

[jimbunyard]

4.108 borg Warner can’t find a refab tranny. Stranger things have happened...

[PolarisOne]

Here are some pictures.

[PolarisOne]

Forgot to mention the Transmission (and engine) only had 2600 hours on it before the rebuild.

[Compass790]

Originally Posted by PolarisOne

Cracked head update:

After long painful consideration, I have decided to pull out the W70 and install a new Beta Marine 70. I just couldn't bring myself to spend another $4K on the old engine. I would have used the overhauled Hurth gear on the new engine but the propeller calculator for the Beta 70 says I need a 2-1 ratio gear or a 24 inch propeller which won't fit the Bristol's aperture.

As a result, I am selling W70 parts including an overhauled Hurth 250 transmission (2.88/1 ratio) with isoflex flexible shaft coupler , Exhaust manifold, elbow and associated end caps and L-brackets to head, Heat exchanger, Raw water pump with hose barb fittings, and Rebuilt injector pump.

If you have a W70 this is a good chance to get basically new parts (25 hours, installed in October 2018) for half price. Parting out the rest of the engine as well. Please send me a PM and I will email you pictures of the parts and asking prices.

Best, John

I'm not a prop expert but it's my understanding that you can increase the pitch to compensate for the smaller diameter if you can't fit a 24" dia prop. Of course you may have to fit in their parameters for the guarantee. I'd investigate before selling off your gearbox.
Probably a wise move re-engineing for the price of the repair. Surprised you couldnt get head welded for a lot less assuming it's cast iron. Or a used head.Let us know what you think of the Beta please

[Rudder2]

I have a trusty Westerbeke W70 in my boat with 8500 hours on it. I'm interested in extra parts. Can't have to many. Just curious what you have left.