Clearance between engine and engine bed? How much is enough?

[kjemmo]

I am installing a new Vetus M3.29. (3 cylinders and 27hp)

I had a Solé Mini 26 before and since they are build on the same Mitsubishi block I assumed that the Vetus would fit my engine bed. Now I know not to assume, but to measure...

I did make a template in wood. Everything lines up nicely except at one point where the new engine is wider that the old one.

To make it fit I have removed part of the engine bed and now I have about 0.4" / 1cm clearance from the engine to the engine bed.

My questions is if that is enough? I mean will the the engine shake 0.4" to either side when running. That seems like a lot.

Please let me hear any comments.

[chris95040]

Originally Posted by kjemmo

I am installing a new Vetus M3.29. (3 cylinders and 27hp)

I had a Solé Mini 26 before and since they are build on the same Mitsubishi block I assumed that the Vetus would fit my engine bed. Now I know not to assume, but to measure...

I did make a template in wood. Everything lines up nicely except at one point where the new engine is wider that the old one.

To make it fit I have removed part of the engine bed and now I have about 0.4" / 1cm clearance from the engine to the engine bed.

My questions is if that is enough? I mean will the the engine shake 0.4" to either side when running. That seems like a lot.

Please let me hear any comments.

My not particularly informed guess is that it shouldn't move that much in normal situations, even with a rough idle. But if something goes wrong (an engine mount fails, prop gets bent, etc.) it might. Any way to buy more room? I had a boat once that had shortened beds and lot of welded angle iron fabricated to make more room.

[RaymondR]

1 cm should be enough but whether it is a serious potential problem or not tends to depend upon the consequences of engine and bed coming into contact.

[Lake-Effect]

Assuming its not a saildrive, has the new engine been aligned with the prop shaft coupling yet? If not, then you haven't yet found the engine's final position.

And where is this 1 cm space - between the sides of the engine bed and the oil pan? Does the engine manufacturer have any recommendation for minimum spacing?