Swap Atomic 4 for Volvo MD2B ?, 30' Pearson

[Sailon1]

Thanks for the information.
I have to decide whether to keep the P30 and convert to diesel or sell the
P-30 and buy a larger boat that has more cruising capabilities.
I plan on cruising at some point.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by Sailon1

Thanks for the information.
I have to decide whether to keep the P30 and convert to diesel or sell the
P-30 and buy a larger boat that has more cruising capabilities.
I plan on cruising at some point.

As I said in a previous post, I had a P30 like yours...volvo penta, furling, chart plotter, autohelm, origo, anchors, etc, etc. And I sold it. Now I regret it. It's a great boat, and was easy to singlehand. Love having a tiller on a big boat, especially sailing solo. Its a great sailing boat certainly capable of coastal cruising, IMHO. And for one person (or two) it's very roomy below with tons of storage space. Some of the older "classic plastic" have long overhangs that make them quite small below for their LOA.

[jeffjd]

I feel your pain... sold my 30’ islander when the engine failed... Volvo md7a.

It comes down to how you like the rest of the boat. If you are happy with your boat I would rebuild the atomic... I don’t have any first hand knowledge but I think you can get them replaced or rebuilt at a reasonable cost compared to the diesel conversion. Then you can sail for a few years and buy the cruiser you desire when your ready.

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by DougR

The MD2B was a good engine in its day, as evidenced by the fact that it's still around and running. However it is false economy, even if the engine is free, to be installing a fifty year old engine in a boat today.

I agree with Doug as he always talks common sense, it would be false economy.

We have a the Volvo 2003 in a slightly larger yacht and we don't need the 28hp it generates.

If a newish Beta is out of the price bracket, see if you can find one of the Volvo 2020 or Perkins equivalent which should be cheaper and spares still readily available.

Pete

[hamburking]

I had a Pearson 30 (1972). The original A4 had been replaced with a 1985 Volvo Penta 2002. It was a good engine. Lousy installation. It "almost" fit, and the whole thing was a little akimbo with several bits of lumber to make it work. Although it was not pretty, it did move the boat well, always started, and was 100% reliable while I owned it with no major work...just regular oil and filter changes. However, it loved to dance. Especially at low RPM. Watching it start, it was hard to believe the whole thing didn't fly off the mounts. And how the shaft stayed alligned, I do not know. It shook the whole boat and the noise was atrocious.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by hamburking

Although not exactly answering your question...I had an early 70's Pearson 30. The original A4 had been replaced with a 1985 Volvo Penta 2002 (18hp).

It seemed to me to be a tight fit, and I was never happy with the engine mounts. The engine "danced" significantly at low rpm.

However, the Volvo never gave me any grief, and started right up, every time, first click, even after sitting all winter. Ran very well, except for the "dancing" mentioned above. It was easy on fuel, burned no oil, and easily pushed the boat to hull speed.I cruised at 5 knots at 2000 rpm.

Hope this helps.

Hamburgking,

Is this deja vu all over again? Did you see Post #8 on this same thread? See any similarity to Post #20?

Also, if you take a moment to review, the Original Poster has elected to shelve this idea and stick with the A4 already on the boat...

LittleWing

[Craig Cape Town]

The biggest headache you'll find is the availability of parts. I couldn't get parts for my old Volvo MD7 and managed to swap it with a low hrs. Yanmar, which I found on Craigslist for $1500. (parts are plentiful and much more reasonably priced than Volvo)
The other consideration is the cost and effort of adapting the differences to fit. (available space in the engine bay, motor mounts, length of the shaft, size of coupler, Volvo rotates opposite direction = new prop needed, etc)


I second the vote to fix what you have or go with a more readily available used motor. Enjoy the project.