Engine Model History

[Craig Illman]

Can someone elucidate on the history of the engine models installed in our 34's?  Obviously started with a M-25, then M25-XP, then XPB, then M-35?  Was the M-35 an option on early models?  Was/is the bed built differently? Just looking to see long term if a M-35B would go in my 1991 #1150 at some future time.

- Craig

[Gary Ambrose]

Craig,

I have attached an adobe file with the info you requested regarding engine size and measurements.  We'll rely on others regarding C34 history.

Hope this is helpful.  If it is not attached send me an email and I will be able to make it work that way.

[Stu Jackson]

Craig and Gary

Your topics almost answered themselves.  Try this link to C34 History from the www.c34.org homepage:  http://www.c34.org/history.html

They didn't even begin to consider the M35 for the earlier models because the engine hadn't been made yet.     The first year or so was the M25, then the M25XP which had the larger 3 inch HX and 2 more HP (23), essentialy the same engine.

[Ron Hill]

Craig : "Glad you asked"!!
1986 started with M25 21 hp Universal engine.
1987-1990 the M25XPA 23hp was installed, but the M35A 30hp was an extra($$) option in 1990.
1991-1993 the M35A engine was installed.
1995- to date the MKII had the M35B 35 hp engine (although the early 1995s MAY have had the M35A)

The M25 and M25XP are 3 cylinders, while the M35 A & B are 4 cylinder engines.  They all fit on the same bed, but the 4 cylinder engines have less clearance (1 cylinder more of in length) between the transmission and the packing gland nut.
Hope I've answered your question.   

[Craig Illman]

Thanks Stu & Ron.  Espresso #1150 is a January 1991 if I'm reading the S/N correctly. I must have one of the last 91's with a M25. Definitely only three cylinders. 

[Ron Hill]

Craig : What I didn't mention was that Catalina used the engines that they had on hand at the time the hull was assembled.
Although I said 1991 for the M35, they could have installed an M25XP that they had sitting there if a M35 wasn't available. 
The factory has also been know to install a 30hp Yanmar when they ran out of Universals !!!!!! 
So with Catalina never say "ALWAYS" !!! 

[Jim Price]

Craig: to follow up on Ron's statement, I have #1119 with 25XP.  She was built in late 1990 according to hull ID.  So I think you have to look at when actually built, not necessarily "year" model.  And you got what was coming down the assembly line on that day.   

[Ron Hill]

Jim : I suspect that the original owner of your boat didn't want to pay the added cost for a 30hp engine. 
After all to a sailing purest, it is an "axillary" engine!!   

[Jim Price]

That is a fact.  But he did get everything thing else you could order back then.  Wish he had gotten the 4-banger though instead of the 3-banger.  The normal vibrations are not always fun for the Admiral - I tell her that if she will sit on the companionway steps, a lot of the noise will go away!   

And you know what that gets me .....

[Stu Jackson]

Jim

We had the same noise problem.  We put chair tips, the felt type, under the feet of the top section of the compainionway steps, and the noise disappeared.  If you haven't yet, give it a try.  Yes, a three banger will vibrate, but one could make the point that three cylinders make LESS noise than four (which is MORE!).   

This idea was written up in one of the first Tech Notes, which is where we got it.  Cory did the installation, which is definitely why it's still working!

[Jim Price]

I saw the wite up and did the same but mine have come off.  Got to remount.  I used the stick on type and they seem to react with the oils in the teak and did not stay on very well.  May try the small tack-in type next if they will fit and see how that will work over time

[Ron Hill]

Jim : If you have vibrations, sitting on the steps isn't the solution, as it will only solve "rattles".  Get the engine to stop vibrating.  We've beat this topic to death, but here's what you need to check:
1. engine shaft alignment
2. new engine mounts
3. new injectors

The 3 cylinder properly "tuned" doesn't vibrate anymore than a 4 cylinder.  ODD number of cylinder engines don't vibrate any more than even numbers of cylinders - radial engines all have ODD # of cylinders!!     

[Jim Price]

Thanks guys, good info.  I have a check-up scheduled when the water is warmer and clearer anyway to check cutless and probably do shaft alignment.  I do have a real vibration / harmonic in the 2200 range that suggests I need a look.  My Universal mechanic thinks it will probably be alignment as the boat came with a "drive saver" and he stated those can be a bear to align properly sometimes when they are installed.   He also asked about the shaft length as to whether or not it had been modified when the drive saver was installed (that I don't know) indicating the prop might be a tad too far out from the strut.  Had not heard about that before???

Cutless is probably about 5 years old so we will see when he can get to it.  In the mean time, I work around the RPM range and use only smooth ranges - and padded "feet".

[Ron Hill]

Guys : I've written this up in the Mainsheet and on this Board a number of times:
Rule of thumb - The the prop hub should be no further aft of the strut than one shaft diameter.  In our case that would be 1 inch.  I have mine 3/4" for a smaller moment. 

[Jim Price]

Ron, I appreciate the input.  This is like building a puzzel of stuff to keep in mind when I get this looked at.  From my last haul, I seem to remember the prop may be too far aft but I am not sure.  Anyway, this is all good info, in addition to the engine mounts - I have read tons on that.