mercruiser D636 4.2 6cyl turbo diesels in a 86 3207 ? anyone familiar with these engines

[Kart113]

hi all just put away the Switchin To Glide for the winter ( snowing today ) I have a line on 2 mercruiser D636 4.2 6cyl turbo diesels with about 1200hrs on them ,I want to repower my 1986 3207 aft cabin with diesels ( 5.7 mercs right now gas prices are killing me ) has anyone have experience with these engines ? I know they are Italian VM Motori and I have heard all the chirping about parts and service issues, doesn't bother me . Just looking for cheaper motive force ,I'm heading south next fall gas or diesel I have been a factory trained VW/AUDI MECHANIC for the last 30 + years and have built some Frankensteined race and road cars and have been a cabin cruiser owner for the last 25 yrs and have swapped omc for merc engines/complete drive systems in Bayliners /Sea Rays / Dorals so this is not a daunting task in my books
Any info would be appreciated
Scott

[bud37]

Heh Scott......seems like you have lots of experience. I will suggest to you what I suggest to others looking for info on diesels.......check out Boatdiesel.com.....all diesel all the time from what I remember.

Hopefully someone here will have some firsthand experience with that engine package.

Good luck with your search and keep us in the loop if you decide.

[Kart113]

Thanks Bud37 I will contact the boatdiesel people ( i figured if i cast a big enough net I would catch something ) I cant really find anyone online in the USA /CANADA with experience on these motors [big in Europe and Australia)
Scott

[km1125]

I'm not familiar with that model diesel, but just acquiring the motors without breaking the bank is one of the huge hurdles for most folks considering a conversion. You'll have a lot of other expensive items, but if you've already got that first big nut cracked the others might not seen so bad.

With those engines, is there enough space in the engine compartment? You're two cylinders longer than the V-8s that were in there and I don't recall there being a lot of room around the V-8s in a 3207. You might make up some space because you probably don't need the reduction gear that normally hangs off the rear end of the VelvetDrive, and whatever transmission you end up with can probably incorporate the drive reduction internally. You also might need the transmission to incorporate the down-angle conversion so the engine sits level (to have enough clearance for the crankcase below).

KEEP US POSTED!! Sounds like an interesting project. Make sure you take (and post) a lot of pics when you get going!!