Why Do Cheap Boats Always Seem To Have Ford Lehman Engines?

[charliehows]

-- it gives me the sense that these engines are not particularly good, although I've looked at some pretty flogged out boats over the years and the ford engine was often the only thing still working...Whats the general thinking on this - do these engines have inherent weaknesses or problems?

[DumnMad]

They were made decades ago, they last for ever, so they live in boats that are old in most other respects. Therefore the boats are cheap. - Great engines -

[roverhi]

They were the engine of choice for boats from the Orient in the '70s especially trawlers. Probably the cheapest diesel that they could source because of it's wide use in small trucks and Ford's mass production and parts supply. Haven't heard anything bad about them, however. As you say, they are often the only thing worth saving in the leaky teakys so have something going for them.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by charliehows

-- it gives me the sense that these engines are not particularly good, although I've looked at some pretty flogged out boats over the years and the ford engine was often the only thing still working...Whats the general thinking on this - do these engines have inherent weaknesses or problems?

The fact that the ford engine is the only thing still working in a flogged out boat says that they are bl**dy reliable to me.

[Cheechako]

May be the only engine better than Perkins. Great engines.

[Scott Berg]

Ditto,
They are wonderful engines and receive great support from American Diesel (Bob Smith's place). As noted, the boats are still on the market BECAUSE they are such great engines.

[CharlzO]

Mine was cheap (free) and didn't have any Maybe I overpaid after all!

[dohenyboy]

a Ford Lehman engine was found in the ruins of Pompei. they brushed off the ashes,changed the oil and it started right up.

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by dohenyboy

a Ford Lehman engine was found in the ruins of Pompei. they brushed off the ashes,changed the oil and it started right up.

Didn't even have to bleed the injectors.

[sabray]

Cheap boats have Volvo not lehmans?


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[onestepcsy37]

Great engine and parts still available. I once looked at a used boat and the ONLY thing on it worth buying was the ford lehman diesel. Unfortunately the owner wasn't willing to part out the boat...

[charliehows]

hmmm that does make sense - in a boat which has been in every way neglected I guess it follows that the engine would also be neglected so if its still running it must be pretty well made. Thanks for that, I shall revise my thinking on the subject...

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by sabray

Cheap boats have Volvo not lehmans?

? ? ? ? ?