Carver 530 Pilothouse Cummins rebuild in engine room?

[glynnalan]

I'm hoping i can get some help or guidance from my fellow boaters as i'm a bit overwhelmed (and depressed)-
I lost a starboard impeller which started a chain reaction of damage to the turbo, rocker valves and piston.
Before scoping the piston we replaced the turbo and impeller but heard a rattle in the valve cover. After removing we found a rocker lifter damage on the cylinder nearest the turbo. We removed the injector to scope the piston and found the damage attached in the photo. Looks like the valve seat did the damage from overheating.
My question is has anyone had experience in replacing pistons / bottom end without removing the engine from the boat? we are going to attempt to rebuild inside the engine room (it's really the only option). The marina we are at has no mechanical services or a way to get our boat out of the water at lake mead.
appreciate any advise!
Motor model: Cummins 6CTA 8.3 M2
Boat: Carver Voyager 530 Pilothouse
thanks,
Glynn
303-748-8989

[bud37]

Try these guys, its all they do.......there might be some advice about whether in frame rebuilds are possible.

https://boatdiesel.com/Forums/Index.cfm

[km1125]

How much clearance do you have below the motor to get the pan off? If not enough, can the engine be raised enough to do it?

I'd think the biggest challenge will be cleaning up the cylinder. Is it a sleeved engine?

[Sgodfrey]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. The 6cta can be rebuilt - it is sleeved - plenty of YouTube videos walk through the process. Please share with the group as you proceed.

[glynnalan]

I have a cummins tech coming out tomorrow to come up with a plan if its possible. i'll keep you updated

[glynnalan]

Yes the cylinders are sleeved. should be enough clearance with an A-frame about 20 inches.

[aussie530carver]

Hi answer to your question is yes .. i had the starboard engine removed from the boat after removing the flooring and had Cummins rebuild it ... but the port engine i could not remove as i would have had to destroy the kitchen so we had it rebuilt in the boat.. The Cummins technician used small bottle jacks to lift the block up to remove the sump and crank .. installed all pistons and liners and all other related parts... just be sure the technician cleans all the oil squirters as these where blocked... this engine failed for the same reason .. raw water pump failure

[glynnalan]

Following up on this. The techs were able to completely overhaul and rebuild the engine inside the engine room. Had them go thru all systems and replacements for the port side as well so good as new. not cheap! but the guys were great. from ventura CA island marine diesel.

[Sgodfrey]

That must have been a big project. Now that you have the rebuild complete you might want to make sure you can achieve the 2725 RPM to ensure that you don't have the engines overloaded. On my Carver 450 with the 450 Diamonds removing an inch of prop got my RPM back up to 2700.

https://www.sbmar.com/articles/propping ... el-engine/

[aussie530carver]

Hi great news on getting your engines rebuilt ... do you mind sharing the cost to do them...
I have had both of mine rebuilt here in Australia at a cost of $36000 per engine but i can only manage max RPMs at 2270... would anyone know what may cause the engines not to make max RPMs...