New Catalina Owner

[robertr0816]

Hi Everyone,

Just purchased a brand new to me 1988 Catalina 34. I am doing some cleanup in the engine compartment and need to know if the engine should be shaking so much or i have a shot motor mount. Link to video below. I have some more questions as the last owner was not too knowledgeable about the boat.

https://youtube.com/shorts/bhaEBd_XEEk

[Ron Hill]

robert : It looks like you have Vetus replacement mounts, but they may be the K50 mounts that are a bit tooo soft for the M25XP engine. I'd recommend that you replace them with the K75 Vetus mounts. 
Don't know how many hours are on the engine, but you might also want to check the valves - look in your Engine manual or WiKi for Valve Adjustment.

Welcome aboard our C34 owners site!!   

A few thoughts

[robertr0816]

the claim is that the engine has 700 hours. but i doubt that is the case.
i will order new mounts. any recommendations on best place to purchase, or is this a catalina direct thing only?

[pbyrne]

Maybe this helps for context?  Mine's a 35B.  It vibrates a touch...https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bQR5bexjS8Y

[Ron Hill]

robert : Catalina Direct (CD) does NOT handle Vetus. Vetus is a separate company. Go on line and shop around for the Vetus K75 engine mounts. You can be assured the CD will always be the most expensive place in town!!

A thought

[tvorgitch]

Robert,

Welcome!

I had a similar issue earlier this year: https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,11640.msg94161.html#msg94161

It sure looks like you need new mounts. I put K50 mounts in front and K75 in the rear. Once I got the adjusted (using a dynamic process) the difference was dramatic.

See this thread also: https://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,10963.15.html

It's possible to do this without lifting the engine and if you are careful, you won't change the existing alignment.

[robertr0816]

Thank you everyone. You guys rock.
I will be ordering the mounts, and making the valve adjustment (I read the Service manual and tutorial on our wiki and it seems very straight forward.) I found bottles of 30w oil around the boat. Shouldn't an old diesel like this use 15w-40?

[robertr0816]

Maybe this helps for context?  Mine's a 35B.  It vibrates a touch...https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bQR5bexjS8Y

Yeah my old girl rattles. At low rpms is terrible, at higher rpms is terrible. In the middle range and making 3-4 knots its ok.

[KWKloeber]

I found bottles of 30w oil around the boat. Shouldn't an old diesel like this use 15w-40?

You should use the lubricant specified in the Owner's Manual for the operating temperature.  be cautious of the service grade -- oil formulated for over the road diesel long haul trucks are not the type to use. 

[scgunner]

Robert,

Unless you have evidence to the contrary like a motor meter either not working or replaced there's no reason to suspect the 700 hours is inaccurate, some owners just don't use their boats that much. The motor looks like it's sat and while the Oberdorfer looks fresh that might have been done presale. The motor mounts are shot with a lot of corrosion and look like one could break off at any moment. Along with replacement of motor mounts a complete tuneup appears to be in order. Along with a valve adjustment, fluids, filters, belts and hoses I'd recommend having the injectors rebuilt or replaced.

The motor oil which was recommended to me and I've been using since 1988 is Chevron Delo 400 40wt.

[Porchhound]

You've just invested a bit of money in a boat. I'd consider having a reputable marine mechanic go over it, if that didn't happen during the survey. They can get a lot done in a short amount of time, and ultimately save you a lot of future headaches. If you have the time and like to tinker, there's lots of good advice on here.

[Ron Hill]

robert : Any time you idle a diesel at approx.800 rpm you WILL get vibration - it will almost shake your teeth out!!  Idle your diesel at 900 to 950/1000 rpm and you'll find that it smooths out immensely!!

I use the Mobile 1 Truck Diesel engine oil !!

A thought

[robertr0816]

Those were my first thoughts. Motor mounts were shot. I already started replacing fluids. This winter I will take apart and replace gasket, hoses etc. Never worked on a 3 cylender engine, so had no idea what was baseline, but I knew it shouldn't kick like a mule.

Robert,

Unless you have evidence to the contrary like a motor meter either not working or replaced there's no reason to suspect the 700 hours is inaccurate, some owners just don't use their boats that much. The motor looks like it's sat and while the Oberdorfer looks fresh that might have been done presale. The motor mounts are shot with a lot of corrosion and look like one could break off at any moment. Along with replacement of motor mounts a complete tuneup appears to be in order. Along with a valve adjustment, fluids, filters, belts and hoses I'd recommend having the injectors rebuilt or replaced.

The motor oil which was recommended to me and I've been using since 1988 is Chevron Delo 400 40wt.

[senorquill]

Gents,

Jumping in the chat looking for advice. I just bought the K75 motor mounts for my 1987 M25XP, I think they need to be replaced and one just got worse this weekend.

If anyone has installed them with the engine in, could you DM me so I can pass my phone number. I would like to just talk through it prior to going at it. I've read through a lot of the threads already.

Thanks,

Ryan

[Ron Hill]

Ryan : Look in in the Mainsheet tech notes  There are a couple of articles on how to install Vetus engine mounts.  One is to take them apart and reassemble when in the mount brackets!!

A thought