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HI All! Long time posting I know. Need some advice. Currently the Dorman 3AL on Monty is running reasonably well but is becoming a bit smokey and producing flakes of soot and redhot ash when running at certain revs. Occasionally a valve sticks with a "spuff" but it doesn't use oil between changes. Probably due for a decoke after 45 years use and was originally in a crane until 1999. injectors and injector pump was refurbished by a reputable company 3 years ago. Timing checked and spot on. Starts first turn of the key so guessing compression is good. Anyone familiar with older engines near Pershore who would be available for a look and listen maybe before the spanners come out? It is a big lump and we love her on the river Avon and Severn but on the canals does seem to get smokier until its given a good run back on the river. It ticks over lovely and blows smoke rings time to time and can take a while to clear when on the move, its blue black smoke. Oil pressure is good. when very hot ticks over at 10 psi min. Taking the head off is quite a heavy job but l do have a cylinder head gasket kit and valve guides and really would at least like to give her a chance of a decoke. No valves available unfortunately. My thoughts is to at least open her up and have a look at play in parts maybe check shell bearings etc to see over all wear. If it is quite bad wear and tear then as it is difficult to get any parts it may not be worth rebuilding or even decoking, but at least we will then know its condition. But....and this question is really a second request for opinions. I have a 1984 DM2 at home and we are wondering to swap over engines (we will need a hole in the roof!) And as the boat needs painting and lifting for some more general work we plan it would be a good time to change over engine. The fear we have is as the DM2 is much lower on hp. How would it take the rivers and 57 ft with 19 tons (including the Dorman)???. I know this engine is great on the canals but how about the river? Ready to get oily Any opinions welcome Simon