As my first post stated, I have a Catalina 30 not a Catalina 34. I've written of my experience here because this thread seems to have the most informative discussion of M25 engine mounts.
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#2
Main Message Board / Re: Frustrations with new Vetus Engine Mounts
May 22, 2012, 07:34:25 AM
My project is finally done. I replaced the Vetus K50 mounts with the PYI 800-040 mounts. Overall I'm happy with new PYI mounts. The low RPM shaking is gone. This should keep my M25 engine running leak for the foreseeable future. I'm glad I took on the job.
I can't really say if there is more or less overall vibration than before. There is no way I can do a side to side comparison.
Install notes:
The new PYI mounts are longer than the Vetus mounts so I had to do a bit carpentry and fiberglass work to extend the mounting rails.
The PYI mounts are more mounting angle specific. I needed to shim under the front mounts to ensure that the top plate and mount footing had equal spacing all the way around.
After the install, it's clear the majority of the M25 engine weight is supported by the front mounts. It would be interesting to know how much.
I can't really say if there is more or less overall vibration than before. There is no way I can do a side to side comparison.
Install notes:
The new PYI mounts are longer than the Vetus mounts so I had to do a bit carpentry and fiberglass work to extend the mounting rails.
The PYI mounts are more mounting angle specific. I needed to shim under the front mounts to ensure that the top plate and mount footing had equal spacing all the way around.
After the install, it's clear the majority of the M25 engine weight is supported by the front mounts. It would be interesting to know how much.
#3
Main Message Board / Re: Frustrations with new Vetus Engine Mounts
April 24, 2012, 06:41:10 AM
Seeing that some people were having row RPM issues even with the K75 mounts, I decided to switch brands.
I looked at both PYI R+D 800-040 and PolyFlex P#4.5CTF. I contacted factory reps for both mounts. Neither representative reported any known low RMP vibration issues with small 3 cylinder diesels.
I chose the PYI brand based on price. $70 vs $150 per mount.
I'll update the post installed
I looked at both PYI R+D 800-040 and PolyFlex P#4.5CTF. I contacted factory reps for both mounts. Neither representative reported any known low RMP vibration issues with small 3 cylinder diesels.
I chose the PYI brand based on price. $70 vs $150 per mount.
I'll update the post installed
#4
Main Message Board / Re: Frustrations with new Vetus Engine Mounts
April 21, 2012, 04:00:48 PM
Thanks for the reply and a link the alternate thread.
After reading your thread I'm going to cancel my order for the Vetus K75 mounts.
I'm not too sure about the injectors. My engine starts fine, runs clean, and does not knock (improper fuel detonation) at low RPM.
In thinking about the problem, the Vetus mounts have a lot of rubber between engine and the mounting surface. I see this as a double edged sword. On the positive side there is a lot space to dissipate and isolate the vibrations of the engine. On the down side when engine shakes at just the right frequency there is enough space for things to really get out of control.
The design of the old mounts have a lot less rubber between the two mounting surfaces. This "should" limit how bad vibrations can get the when the engine vibrates at critical frequencies. On the down side more vibrations transferred to the hull.
Looking on the web I see a mount recommended for M25 engines:
http://www.thermoboat.com/polyflex-Univ-m25-hzf10m.htm
The mounts look like the originals. Thus should limit how bad variations can get. I've placed a call with the site owner and left a message. Has anyone else had experience with Poly Flex mounts???
Only found one entry on www.ericsonyachts.org where someone commented (positively) about them. Has one else tried these mounts?
After reading your thread I'm going to cancel my order for the Vetus K75 mounts.
I'm not too sure about the injectors. My engine starts fine, runs clean, and does not knock (improper fuel detonation) at low RPM.
In thinking about the problem, the Vetus mounts have a lot of rubber between engine and the mounting surface. I see this as a double edged sword. On the positive side there is a lot space to dissipate and isolate the vibrations of the engine. On the down side when engine shakes at just the right frequency there is enough space for things to really get out of control.
The design of the old mounts have a lot less rubber between the two mounting surfaces. This "should" limit how bad vibrations can get the when the engine vibrates at critical frequencies. On the down side more vibrations transferred to the hull.
Looking on the web I see a mount recommended for M25 engines:
http://www.thermoboat.com/polyflex-Univ-m25-hzf10m.htm
The mounts look like the originals. Thus should limit how bad variations can get. I've placed a call with the site owner and left a message. Has anyone else had experience with Poly Flex mounts???
Only found one entry on www.ericsonyachts.org where someone commented (positively) about them. Has one else tried these mounts?
#5
Main Message Board / Re: Frustrations with new Vetus Engine Mounts
April 20, 2012, 07:33:03 PM
Having just spent the last weekend working on my M25 engine, I feel compelled to add my experiences.
I re-powered my Catalina 30 from a 5411 to an M25 about two years ago. Prior to the re-power I decided on the Vetus K50 engine mounts based on the positive feedback over the web. I had read the reports of low RPM vibration but decided the pluses were better than the minuses.
I installed the engine (professionally rebuilt) and to a solid coupling aligned to .001". The coupling, the shaft and the 3 blade 12" prop were all new and taken to a machine shop to ensure proper balancing before installation.
The low RPM vibrations are very bad. The poor little engine jumps around on the soft mounts like a carnival ride. Hover ever, once throttled out of idle the engine quickly smoothes and runs quiet with little vibration. I decided to just live with the low RPM vibrations.
We use our sailboat about one to two times a week for 4 month(s) a year with an extra 2 week trip to the San Juan's annually.
Two years later....
Last year I noticed oil in our normally clean bilge. Looking all over the engine I thought the leak was coming from an oil drain hose I had installed though the engine's drain plug during the re-power. The only way to get at the plug was to pull out the engine. Last weekend I did that. Not a small task in a Catalina 30.
What I found was not a single point oil leak but every gasket at bottom of the engine was leaking. The bottom of the timing chain cover, the oil pan, and the oil drain hose. I also found the alternator bracket had a crack and the heat exchange bracket had cracked. All the coolant hoses around the engine had worn points were they contracted anything other than the end connections. In fact the water inlet hose to the water pump had worn an 1/8" off its bottom side where it was in contact with the engine bay floor.
Its clear to me the low RPM vibrations are shaking the engine to death.
I re-torqued the oil pan and timing cover bolts and I've ordered the K75 mounts. I decided on the K75 mounts because they have the same footprint as the K50 mounts.
I'll post again once I've installed the new mounts see how the engine vibrates at low RPMs.
I re-powered my Catalina 30 from a 5411 to an M25 about two years ago. Prior to the re-power I decided on the Vetus K50 engine mounts based on the positive feedback over the web. I had read the reports of low RPM vibration but decided the pluses were better than the minuses.
I installed the engine (professionally rebuilt) and to a solid coupling aligned to .001". The coupling, the shaft and the 3 blade 12" prop were all new and taken to a machine shop to ensure proper balancing before installation.
The low RPM vibrations are very bad. The poor little engine jumps around on the soft mounts like a carnival ride. Hover ever, once throttled out of idle the engine quickly smoothes and runs quiet with little vibration. I decided to just live with the low RPM vibrations.
We use our sailboat about one to two times a week for 4 month(s) a year with an extra 2 week trip to the San Juan's annually.
Two years later....
Last year I noticed oil in our normally clean bilge. Looking all over the engine I thought the leak was coming from an oil drain hose I had installed though the engine's drain plug during the re-power. The only way to get at the plug was to pull out the engine. Last weekend I did that. Not a small task in a Catalina 30.
What I found was not a single point oil leak but every gasket at bottom of the engine was leaking. The bottom of the timing chain cover, the oil pan, and the oil drain hose. I also found the alternator bracket had a crack and the heat exchange bracket had cracked. All the coolant hoses around the engine had worn points were they contracted anything other than the end connections. In fact the water inlet hose to the water pump had worn an 1/8" off its bottom side where it was in contact with the engine bay floor.
Its clear to me the low RPM vibrations are shaking the engine to death.
I re-torqued the oil pan and timing cover bolts and I've ordered the K75 mounts. I decided on the K75 mounts because they have the same footprint as the K50 mounts.
I'll post again once I've installed the new mounts see how the engine vibrates at low RPMs.
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