ford merlin diesel ??

[KEYSKILLER]

looking at purchasing a boat w/ a 6cyl,turbo ford merlin diesel. anybody know anything about this motor? it has 111.0hrs on it. straight shaft.

thanks in advance.

this pic minus the collant resivor on the top

[stevemc1]

I am not sure but I think those are the Ford Automotive(high speed diesel) that they use in newer Fork F-250 and F-350 that are using Merlin fuel injection and marinizing manifolds. Like the Peninsular Diesels that use the GM 6.5 diesel for a base marine engine and for a Hummer engine replacement w/turbocharging. I am not sure though. I was thinking of using a Ford powerstroke in a boat and checked into manifolds and non computerized injection etc and I think I remember something about them. But I think it was the 7.9 or whatever size they are and I think those are 8 cyl, but I may be wrong on that. Maybe someone else may pipe in. I have been out of the marine diesel field for years.

[KEYSKILLER]

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[Capt.Gene]

I never owned one but they were distrubuted out of Daytona Beach as a hot rod diesel and have mixed reputations.Short fused.
Perhaps the manifolds are stainless steel on that thing.
I would have an engine survey completed with oil sample.
I bet it's fast.

[Capt.Gene]

You might find some info at www.boatdiesel.com :beer:

[stevemc1]

I looked it up and found that picture on a site, and it says they use Ford and Mack diesels, so they are big semi-truck type engines, but marinized. They run forever in a truck, so maybe they are good. Sounds like a good deal, but if you could get a surveyor over there quick, that might help. Actually sounds like a great deal-hope its as good as it sounds. 3 miles to the gallon is good too.

[KEYSKILLER]

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[stevemc1]

Nice!

[GRIM REEFER]

Very nice boat. One of the guys I dive with built a simplicity drive for his boat. They work great.

[Gamble]

That thing looks sick!!

[Steve-o]

You probably already knew this, but never underestimate the value of local support. It's no fun when you can't get someone knowledgeable (in regards to your engine) to work on your boat.

Just curious why there is so much dust on the engine (at least there appears to be in the pics)? I'd be inclined to pull the air filter off and check the turbo intake to see if there's dust in there too.

Good luck, it's a sharp looking boat.