Need help deciding- gas or diesel?

brpartridge · Oct-08-2009, 08:51 PM

I have a Cummins Diesel in my 24" Striper and am in love with it. I can go from SI to the Hidden Bank, troll around the Hidden bank for hours, and back to SI, and top it off for $75....in my book that's amazing

mongo75 · Oct-09-2009, 08:46 AM

Again I wish I could get a diesel- I just bought 47 gals of fuel for my truck yesterday that cost me $112. Doing the math, that comes to $2.35 a gal. BUT it's b100 (100% biodiesel) which my truck loves, but some hard-headed folk are reluctant to try. Anyone interested in where to get it, pm me.

CaptnJD · Oct-09-2009, 11:01 PM

Ever FEEL the HEAT of a GASOLINE FIRE/EXPLOSION on your boat? I have and SWEAR to NEVER go there again... Althou those nurses at the UCSD burn center are super SWEET... Don't be STUPID BUY the Diesel.

skipjack-20 · Oct-09-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptnJD

Ever FEEL the HEAT of a GASOLINE FIRE/EXPLOSION on your boat? I have and SWEAR to NEVER go there again... Althou those nurses at the UCSD burn center are super SWEET... Don't be STUPID BUY the Diesel.

That's some pretty gnarly stuff, Your experience makes me think.

Tuna Choker · Oct-09-2009, 11:57 PM

Not sure if other posts said anything about SAFETY, Gas can start a fire real fast or worst an explosion, not a problem with diesel. My vote is for diesel.

Mikey90744 · Oct-10-2009, 01:25 AM

if its not to late, you might want to look at Banks Power | 82-93 Chevy/GMC - 6.2L>>Sidewinder® Turbo System adding a turbo and the related fuel 60 hp and 110 ft lbs or so, more can be had with bigger injection pumps (not sure I would do that on a boat though for reliability reasons) just thought I would throw that link in there if its not to late for informational purposes if nothing else

edit: sorry should have said I know its not a marine kit, but if I remember right you can buy peices from banks so you might be able to get this without the intercooler and get an liquid intercooler

mongo75 · Oct-12-2009, 04:55 PM

The guy just emailed me saying he also has a Perkins 6-354T for under $2000, which is kinda in my range provided I can move my Chrysler 440 and a set of props I got for sale- so that just throws another monkey wrench in the works, decisions decisions.....

CaptnJD · Oct-12-2009, 10:06 PM

Think about it. Would you rather have a few less $ up front. Or have the extra Safety for you and everyone who will ever be on your boat? Not to mention the added benefits of way more range, longevity and higher resale value. No-brainer in my book.

mongo75 · Oct-12-2009, 11:54 PM

WOW, alot of guys are really agains t gas engines in boats

! Maybe I just build them right, or get lucky, but I've never had a problem with a gas engine in my last two boats. But I am seriously considering this Perkins, because I'd love a Cummins, but I think it's a bit too big, and Volvo and Yanmar are out of my budget. Plus the Perkins is old, so it's easy to work on, but parts are expensive. Dennis, I need you to gimme reasons why I shouldn't jump on this 354 now- I know we talked about the Cummins, but I can't afford that either- me is broke

! Thanks everyone for the feedback- all reasons to talk the wife into letting me buy another engine!

ALUMINATOR · Oct-13-2009, 06:51 AM

Dan, As you know I had a Perkins in the "TANK" before the new Cummins and it ran well when it was running! Just think about a few parts that might need replacing, injector pump, heat exchanger, starter, turbo and then go on line and try to find them and price them out!!! Also look again at just how many times the pistons have gone up and down in that old block and you might wonder how long it is going to last. The last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time repowering only to find out there was a reason that the old engine has been sitting out of some boat for years. Can you find the guy that owned it and ask 20 questions?

Another though might be to look around for the web site where a bunch of guys have taken the 5.9 truck engines and seem to like them in their boats. Not sure how much you can save.

You might be able to fine a diesel from a damaged boat too.

Don't get me wrong because I also thing a diesel is good but if you do the math again you will not save that much on fuel as you might think!! Safe???, YES. Longer range????,YES but the upfront cost eats up the fuel savings in a hurry.

Have you ever looked into a bracket and outboard set up?

Kurt · Oct-13-2009, 07:33 AM

Bracket and 4 stroke outboard is the way to go if you can do it. Diesels get frightengly expensive when one gets a ton of hours on it.

mongo75 · Oct-13-2009, 09:21 AM

If anything, I'll just keep the 440 Chrysler I currently have. I could always just add the extra return fitting to my tanks and cap them, so that way if I ever convert to diesel all I gotta do is run the plumbing. That'd give me a chance to save up and part together a 5.9 or something. I went on ebay yesterday, and some of those damn Cummins parts are pretty friggin expensive too! I guess I could get a block and rebuild it, but getting the marine parts would set me back some....

Hey anyone got engine dimensions for the 5.9? I can't friggin find them online!?!?