claverton said..
A friend of mine is exploring a couple of boats on the market that have a Volvo MD2B diesel, and being a marine engine ignoramus, he's attempting to find out what these engines are a proposition as a keeper. I see they were manufactured between 1970-1975, are raw water cooled, and they're quite heavy.
Should one view this engine as one to be replaced and this factored into the purchase price, or conversely is this an engine that can be persevered with and worked with? I wonder what availability of spares is like? Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
Regards Claverton
My engine is an MD7b which is very similar. Fairly heavy and a very large flywheel at the front like marine engines have. The engine was installed a couple of weeks before I bought it. New or rebuilt if you like. They are advertised in the back of the Afloat magazine for about $2200. Starts easily and is as smooth and as quiet as a 3 cylinder Kubota. I'm not expecting more than 30 years or so from it. Mine is only 13 hp and with a folding prop is fine as an auxillary but not a motor boat to push the boat along in slop and headwinds. I would not be overly concerned with finding parts, they are no more difficult than other marine engines. Friend here is looking for an exhaust elbow for a 3 cylinder Yanmar. I thought parts for them would be a breeze but apparently not. I think parts for marine Volvos will always be available.
www.djerickson.com/apache/engine.htm
