Nomad Willy
Guru
Ski wrote in post # 10;
“I'd rather have the 120 sixes just because they are smoother both at low rev and higher rev. But if you can get a sweet deal on the fours, then they should work.”
I agree and I’m usually on the other side of the fence.
In this example I’d choose the six cylinder engine. Mostly the vibration of the 4cylinder that technically could be called excessive along w the 4 cylinder Cummins. Old school big fours just shake and vibe. In the 70’s when most of these boats were built very very few choose the four cylinder FL. And there were many many applications where they would have been a good choice. There are people that will say “what vibration” and if our OP is one of them fine .. but otherwise the extra cost of the extra fuel burned will worth the smoothness.
At resale many will think of the Six as proper. But probably just as many will like the lower burn rate and probably as many others will like not being underloaded 99% of the time.
The choice may have more to do w the actual engines in question. How were the fours run and maintained v/s the actual six cylinder engines chosen. Properly and totally rebuilt six’s v/s a get me by in-place refreshed engines.
Also did FF mention the International engines he frequently refers to. They are six’s and and may be a bit more modern. Some design details (not known to me) could make them a better choice. But an “odd” brand (in boats) could be less than ideal at resale. If it were me I’d put that one on the board.
“I'd rather have the 120 sixes just because they are smoother both at low rev and higher rev. But if you can get a sweet deal on the fours, then they should work.”
I agree and I’m usually on the other side of the fence.
In this example I’d choose the six cylinder engine. Mostly the vibration of the 4cylinder that technically could be called excessive along w the 4 cylinder Cummins. Old school big fours just shake and vibe. In the 70’s when most of these boats were built very very few choose the four cylinder FL. And there were many many applications where they would have been a good choice. There are people that will say “what vibration” and if our OP is one of them fine .. but otherwise the extra cost of the extra fuel burned will worth the smoothness.
At resale many will think of the Six as proper. But probably just as many will like the lower burn rate and probably as many others will like not being underloaded 99% of the time.
The choice may have more to do w the actual engines in question. How were the fours run and maintained v/s the actual six cylinder engines chosen. Properly and totally rebuilt six’s v/s a get me by in-place refreshed engines.
Also did FF mention the International engines he frequently refers to. They are six’s and and may be a bit more modern. Some design details (not known to me) could make them a better choice. But an “odd” brand (in boats) could be less than ideal at resale. If it were me I’d put that one on the board.
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