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| Detroit 4-53 Inboard Diesels |
| Author |
Message |
    
zach
New member
Username: zach
Post Number: 1
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 08:18 pm: | 
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Hi All,
Just wondering if I can pick the collective brain of the guru's here. I'm looking at a boat which has twin Detroit 4-53 engines, which considering she was launched in 1961 are probably the original engines.
Since I know nothing about these I have a few questions:
1) what kind of longevity would these have if looked after properly (i.e.am I up for replacing them soon if I buy it)
2) reliability wise, what are they like?
3) I've heard they are noisy, how noisy?
Any other opinions commnets would be very gratefully accepted.
Cheers
Zach |
sherlock
Advanced Member
Username: sherlock
Post Number: 33
Registered: 11-2008
| | Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 11:06 pm: |
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Zach,..I have been around these 4-53 Marine engines, since 1965 and they have proven to be real reliable if you:
1. Service the oil/filters and Fuel Filters on a reliable scheduled maintenance.
2. Have the Racor Water/Fuel seperator, prior to the engine Primary Fuel Filter.
3. 10 to 15 Thousand Hours Longevity, are not uncommon.
4. Very Reliable Engines if the Prop Pitch/Marine Gear Ratios are at the proper match,.to get the correct top speed RPM at 2200 to 2600 RPM and the engines are not lugged.
5. Noisy, but with some Insullation put on the Engine Hatch/Walls and Compartment,..will help allot. 21 to 1 Conpression and a diesel explowsion,..plus Max RPM's at 2800 to 3000, they will be noisy. A marine "Hotrod"! This is the "Signature" of a "Screaming Jimmy"! I can tell it's a Jimmy, from 300 Yards away! |
zach
New member
Username: zach
Post Number: 2
Registered: 04-2010
| | Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010 - 11:10 pm: |
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Thanks so much for that. Apparently they were refurbished about 6 years ago, so they should have a bit of life left in them I suppose based on that kind of timescale. |
drdetroit
Member
Username: drdetroit
Post Number: 30
Registered: 12-2009
| | Posted on Friday, April 30, 2010 - 07:07 pm: |
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One other thing to look for, with just the air silencers and no air filter, If you have loose insulation or any other fine airborne particulate matter (even exhaust soot) that can be sucked into those 'Diesel powered sirens' Ive seen it 'Dust' the engines.
I too have worked on these engines back in the day and I agree they are stout, Just don't let them overheat (will cook the liner o-rings).
Install a 'catch can' on the air-box drains to help keep the oil out of the bilge.
Cheers  |
dlc
Visitor
| | Posted on Friday, May 07, 2010 - 12:26 am: |
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this still ran when pulled
[IMG]http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s8/a2by4/DSC00033.jpg[/IMG]
8-71 with thousands and thousands of hours.
i have seen 4-53s that were way more abused than this and still ran day and night for months at a time |
jt_vogel
New member
Username: jt_vogel
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2011
| | Posted on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 - 11:01 am: |
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drdrtroit, can you contact me about a DD671 Grey Marine ser# 6A14662 |
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