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| New to this, is it worth it. |
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wayne ollerenshaw
New member
Username: me_n_thee_ii
Post Number: 1
Registered: 04-2011
| | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 12:30 pm: | 
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Hello all, great site this, lots of info for these ST engines.
I am new to these older style engines but i have always fancied working on one, now by chance i have just got myself a new project boat which comes with a ST P55, from what i can tell up to now anyway.
It is in a DalesCraft 26 cabin cruiser which is at the minute and has been on hard standing for some 15-18 years, so i guessing it will be seized...oh joys i first thought, but now, i think i will try and get it running and use it in the boat as all is there.
I have been told by many not to bother and just scrap it and some say they were good just fiddly engines to run/use.
What i could do with knowing first off realy is if it is worth rebuilding and the costs of a full rebuild, well a rough price to do so myself.
Here are some pics.
The boat
[IMG]http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/wolly_03/tn_IMG_2012.jpg[/IMG]
Engine
[IMG]http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/wolly_03/tn_IMG_1997.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/wolly_03/tn_IMG_1998.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/wolly_03/tn_IMG_2006.jpg[/IMG]
So hello form me and hope to be about and maybe get this old engine back to life.
wayne |
john.kenneway
Member
Username: jbz2079
Post Number: 5
Registered: 09-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 12:55 pm: |
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This is always the question when you embark on a project, personaly I have a great liking for the Stuart Marine Engine, Yes they can be a fussy thing to own and run, but I have found that this is
usually because of age related faults.
The real oldies tend to have worn out magnetos or carburettors and these let the engines down in the reliability area.
But if the engine is basically mechanically sound, ie, good castings with no frost or corrosion damage and has good compression there is no reason that it will not give years of sterling service as many have up until now.
That version of the P55 does not have a magneto but points and coil ignition, I notice from the pictures that it it if fitted with a late Amal carb, so as Stuarts go it's probably a very late engine maybey early to mid 1970's.
If you like old engines and would like to keep the character of the boat original, and you are mechanically minded, I would say keep the Stuart if it's ok mechanically.
If you like convieniance and the economy replace the engine with a modern compact diesel, it's all down to your personal choice, after having a good look at the engine you have now. - John. D. Kenneway. |
wayne ollerenshaw
New member
Username: me_n_thee_ii
Post Number: 2
Registered: 04-2011
| | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 01:19 pm: |
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Hi, it would be good to keep it to keep the character of the boat, i thinkl it is oringinal to the boat aswell.
When it was laid up its because of an engine problem, dont know what the problem was though which would help. I guess its worht pulling out and geting home to mess with.
Are they very noisey, i cant help think they are with being so old and 2 stroke 2 cylinder.
If its not expensive to rebuild and get parts its worth a go, been lookig at 2 cylinder diesel engine and at around £500 for a cheap rough engine its looking good to get this P55 going.
Thanks for the interest .
wayne |
Malcolm Russell Ward
Advanced Member
Username: russell
Post Number: 47
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 03:23 pm: |
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Wayne, nice to hear of your project! You will find the Stuart a fine old shipmate -certainly easier to live with than a diesel and not so smelly. Should be nice and quiet with that silencer. Will run smoothly provided all is running true. That exhaust pipe might get a bit cosy (if it is copper check it for wasting). There is a growing appreciation of classic boats with original engines. Keep in touch. |
john.kenneway
Member
Username: jbz2079
Post Number: 6
Registered: 09-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, April 07, 2011 - 03:52 pm: |
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You will be surprised just how quiet and smooth running a two cylinder Stuart is, They are a heavy built engine and slow revving (1500 RPM)
That £500 could go a long way towards the repair of the Stuart.
They are a simple thing, nothing very technical but they were built to last.
Parts can be a bit of a problem though but there is some people who collect and restore these engines and they tend to collect parts from engine they buy just for spares.
There also is a Stuart Turner group on yahoo and if you sign up you can download the original manuals and lots of usefull info on these engines.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stinfoexchange/
Let us know how you come along and also bear in mind that if you decide that you don't want the P55 you can always sell it and put the money towards something else, They are in great demand as projects and also if they are not saveable they still make good money as spares. - John. |
wayne ollerenshaw
New member
Username: me_n_thee_ii
Post Number: 3
Registered: 04-2011
| | Posted on Friday, April 08, 2011 - 05:24 am: |
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If i can get it running for a few hundred max that will do me, very small budget, but then no big rush, at the minute i cant get to the boat to remove the engine as i am stuck with a fractured foot, doing my head in i can tell you.
I have seen them go for small money, around £80 for a non runinning project engine, if thats what it will go for i would rather make a nice coffe table out of it, LOL, not sure SWMBO would agree.
Give another week or so and i will hopefully have the engine home, then i can tinker away.
Thanks for the help and advice, much appreciated.
wayne |
Malcolm Russell Ward
Advanced Member
Username: russell
Post Number: 48
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 08, 2011 - 04:24 pm: |
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Wayne. Check the engine out which will take you a minute or so. Wind it over by turning the flywheel. If it doesn't turn -oh darn but not bggr. Take the plugs out and run a little penetrating oil down and use a spanner on the flywheel nut rocking gently. If it is turning, is there compression. It should bounce nicely up to tdc but will probably still run if it doesn't. There are marks on the flywheel check that you get a spark when it says you should. You are spared the dark art of magnetos having a late engine with coils etc. Maybe if it hasn't run for a while put some oil down the bores and wind her over. Put some fresh fuel in the carburettor (remember it is 50:1 preferably straight SAE 30). Couple up a battery with a bit of charge within. Take off the belt to the dynastart and wind her over with the crank handle, Just flick her over tdc a couple of times and there should be some sign of life. If so break out the gin -you've saved your 500 quid which can go to hull work! Best of luck. |
Malcolm Russell Ward
Advanced Member
Username: russell
Post Number: 49
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Friday, April 08, 2011 - 04:32 pm: |
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Just another thought. I've got an H28 yacht which had a Yanmar 10hp diesel. Sadly the last owner allowed bilge water to accumulate which caused the shiny engine parts to fizz away. It will cost about NZ$8000 to replace that engine and it will probably just bolt in. I have a P55 Stuart which I am seriously considering grafting in. Changing engines is a big task not to be taken lightly especially if you get a yard to do it. For my money, the Stuart will be a nicer engine to live with in my boat and there are none of those inevitable diesel smells from the engineroom. A proper installation like yours will have minimal risk of fuel leaks and thus fire. You could consider upping your engine restoration budget. Best of luck and keep the gin/scotch/bubbles handy. You will either need or deserve them. |
wayne ollerenshaw
Member
Username: me_n_thee_ii
Post Number: 4
Registered: 04-2011
| | Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2011 - 12:39 pm: |
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Just been thinking today about when i manage to gte up there to see if it even turns, as it has been sat for around 16 years would the cylinder chamber walls be corroded?
If so i would need new liners?
Malcom, i have a good few cans available for this, i like the good old cider. |
Malcolm Russell Ward
Advanced Member
Username: russell
Post Number: 50
Registered: 08-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2011 - 01:28 pm: |
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I guess you will find out when you do your visit. If the previous owner had the good sense to splash a bit of oil round and it was running in fresh water it might be OK. If it was used in the sea it might be a bit corroded. Depends also where the piston was in relation to the exhaust port. You will find out, Take some penetrating oil as well as the cider. |
wayne ollerenshaw
Member
Username: me_n_thee_ii
Post Number: 5
Registered: 04-2011
| | Posted on Saturday, April 09, 2011 - 03:30 pm: |
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I think the cider will penetrate as good as most oil LOL
Will keep updated.
Thanks wayne |
waynes world
Visitor
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 29, 2011 - 02:32 am: |
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Just to let you know i am still on with this project, althouhg not done much as been busy with work and sorting a new wee pick up out for the rebuild, easy than getting grief from SWMBO about filling her car with rubbish.
Well i have found by finding the plate on the engine its not a p55 but a p66D eninge, i think a 10hp, a few days ago i poured a good helping of Redex down the plug ports as a chap said he has used it before for freeing engines and works well, we will see, i will trying to get it out in the next week or so, not going to be easy as i believe they are heavey lumps for there size.
Look forward to getting it home, i was thinking on rebuilding/refurb in situ, Nah to much hard work and not enough room.
will keep posted when i get someething done.
wayne |
wayne ollerenshaw
Member
Username: me_n_thee_ii
Post Number: 6
Registered: 04-2011
| | Posted on Saturday, September 17, 2011 - 02:52 pm: |
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Well i am back wity this after i have now got the boat home.
Since i got the boat i have been soaking the cylinder ports with a Red X and an engine cleaner i just pored it in the plug holes, over a few months realy, the engine was seized and it seems have worked as today i removed the cover to get to the pistons, i am a bit impatient in seeing if i could get them moving and went ahead and gave the flywheel a yank with a big old spanner, i hadnt got the engine out when i did this, i was a bit cautious with this as it can strip the keyway.
I decided to get the cover off, i found the bores/pistons are coked up badly, i got a few short lengths of 3x2 timber and trimmed down the corners for a snug fit on the piston tops and gave each one in turn a good solid smack with a lump hammer, at first there was nothing so then i tryed the hand crank spindle with a wrench, this was also a bit stiff but i got it moving after a bit of force, just a bit mind you, then back to smacking the pistons.
I was about to give up when i gave them a reat old thump and they started to move very slightly, i got them to move about half inch and i have now left them to soak a while longer with engine cleaner. Dont want to push it now .
After that faff about my mate turned up and we both managed to lift the engine out from under the seat where it lives, my god its heavy for it size, moso when you forget to disconnect the dam choke cable, not good whe its half out and i am stuck underneath the engine in the engine bay for 10 m ins while my mate trys to find something to cut the cable with, hacksaws dont work or cable cutters, in the end i managed to get a lump hammer between the cable and flywheel and hit it until it broke .
[IMG]http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/wolly_03/tn_IMG_2362.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/wolly_03/tn_IMG_2361.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/wolly_03/tn_IMG_2358.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/wolly_03/tn_IMG_2359.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i409.photobucket.com/albums/pp172/wolly_03/tn_IMG_2363.jpg[/IMG]
Once i gte it off the boat it is a strip down and rebuild, aslong as i can get the replacements parts if i need any. |
me_n_thee-ii
Visitor
| | Posted on Saturday, September 17, 2011 - 03:03 pm: |
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Oh yes, also i found this is a P66 not the P55 i thought it was so a bit more hp, hope it will cope with the rivers up north near me now. |
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