New block for bmc 1.5 ?

[TammHaTamm]

Hello,

 

The engine block broke due to water entering the diesel. It bent a connecting rod and broke the sleeve of one of the cylinders. Repair seems risky, so I prefer to replace the block, connecting rods, pistons, crankshaft, etc.

 

Do you think it's possible to find a new block?

 

I don't think this engine is still in production, but I've heard there's an obligation for continued availability. I wonder if that's true.

 

And otherwise, if by chance someone has an old BMC for sale, even for parts, as you might have guessed, I'm interested. 🤞

Edited July 31 by TammHaTamm

[StephenA]

I don't think there is an obligation for continued availability. The BMC 1.5 has been out of production for decades in the UK, production did continue in India and Turkey but even that has now stopped as far as I know. So the chances of a new block are pretty much zero.  I don't know if that damage could be fixed with a rebore and new sleeves - but someone else might know.

 

 

 

 

[Slim]

I don't think you quite understand the history of your engine. UK production ceased in or around 1955. To expect product support some 60 years later is a little optimistic. Indian production took over for some years but I suspect your chances of sourcing a block are fanciful. Best to contact Calcutts or try e bay. Be aware that rebuilding  a scrapper engine is not cheap

[MtB]

BMC 1.5 engines pop up on ebay quite regularly. Buy one to get a block capable of being rebored or you might find one in good enough nick to just drop in and use. 

 

Try this for example:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156120304751?

[TammHaTamm]

Thank you for your responses and the historical reminder about the BMC brand; I learned a lot.

 

Where I am, in French Polynesia, there doesn't seem to be anyone who can undertake a cylinder block repair.

That's why I'm considering replacing it with a new block if I can find a suitable one, or even completely changing the engine. However, there aren't many options here, and the price of a new engine is prohibitive (2,000,000 XPF for a 30 hp Yanmar, which is over £14,000), not to mention the adaptations needed for a new engine model.

 

I've found some blocks on eBay, but I wonder if it's not 'playing with fire' given the apparent condition of the engines.

I saw on Calcutt's website that they offer rebuilt engines, which might be interesting (£2,150 without shipping and customs fees). It seems the engines are not marinized, which doesn't bother me. Compared to a refit, considering the cost of parts (cylinder block, camshaft, pistons, connecting rods, rings), the option of a rebuilt engine from Calcutt seems interesting.

 

However, I wonder if I could reuse my heat exchanger and seawater pump without having to make modifications (drilling, tapping, etc.); I imagine so.

I'm not very familiar with Calcutt's reputation; can I trust one of their reconditioned engines? Does anyone on the forum have one of their engines onboard?

[dmr]

Beta marine will do modern engines as an "almost" drop in replacement for some older engines. You will need to check that there will not be a problem with prop size. It will be costly but I would hope a lot less than £14000 unless you have some cruel import taxes their.

Calcutt are a genuine and long established company.

[hider]

Calcutt are the firm that maintained a connection with the Indian factory who continued to produce this unit so had access to all new parts. Their recons are good. Theit hire boats still use these 1500 BMCs

If buying an old engine beware that the rebore limit is +60thou, many old blocks are already out to this and sleeving them back to standard is ouch expensive.

You may be able to consider a Canaline engine, Korean made? They produce one that is quoted as being a drop in replacement for 1500 and 1800 BMCs with everything in the same place, may need simple spacer blocks on the mountings with a 1500.

[Mikexx]

Could the cylinder be bored out and dry lined?

 

Then it's just a new rod? Assuming the crank isn't bent from the mishap?

[Tony Brooks]

2 hours ago, TammHaTamm said:

However, I wonder if I could reuse my heat exchanger and seawater pump without having to make modifications (drilling, tapping, etc.); I imagine so.

 

That depends upon what engine mounts your engine uses. If they are the original 3" ish tall top hat Metalastic mounts poked THROUGH the feet on the engine mounting, then anything from Calcutt and many more modern marinisations will have different mounts, but it should be easy enough to adapt to your beds.

 

Be aware that 1.5Ds have used different FRESH (engine) water pumps and I am not sure if they are interchangeable. They may be, but talk to Calcutt. The engine water pump pulley may use three or four bolts, so again not interchangeable. The heat exchanger manifold and raw water pump should be reusable, as should the inlet manifold.

 

Note that the EBay engine linked to is an automotive unit that probably uses different front mountings, but I think your originals should transfer.

[Mikexx]

3 hours ago, hider said:

 

If buying an old engine beware that the rebore limit is +60thou, many old blocks are already out to this and sleeving them back to standard is ouch expensive.

 

 

The machining cost in French Polynesia might not be so prohibitive?

[Bod]

7 hours ago, TammHaTamm said:

Thank you for your responses and the historical reminder about the BMC brand; I learned a lot.

 

Where I am, in French Polynesia, there doesn't seem to be anyone who can undertake a cylinder block repair.

That's why I'm considering replacing it with a new block if I can find a suitable one, or even completely changing the engine. However, there aren't many options here, and the price of a new engine is prohibitive (2,000,000 XPF for a 30 hp Yanmar, which is over £14,000), not to mention the adaptations needed for a new engine model.

 

I've found some blocks on eBay, but I wonder if it's not 'playing with fire' given the apparent condition of the engines.

I saw on Calcutt's website that they offer rebuilt engines, which might be interesting (£2,150 without shipping and customs fees). It seems the engines are not marinized, which doesn't bother me. Compared to a refit, considering the cost of parts (cylinder block, camshaft, pistons, connecting rods, rings), the option of a rebuilt engine from Calcutt seems interesting.

 

However, I wonder if I could reuse my heat exchanger and seawater pump without having to make modifications (drilling, tapping, etc.); I imagine so.

I'm not very familiar with Calcutt's reputation; can I trust one of their reconditioned engines? Does anyone on the forum have one of their engines onboard?

Looking in Australia or New Zealand may be an idea as many of these engines will have been exported, and the delivery cost might be a bit lower.

 

Bod

[hider]

I would not trust that 3 bearing crank after bending a rod like that.

[john.k]

Easy enough to check the crank for bend  ......put a dial gauge on the centre main and rotate the crank in the other two mains..........a certain amount of bend can be corrected without any problems.

[GBW]

I have one for sale - in running order but its a long way to French Polynesia!

Contact me if still interested.

[NURDLE]

I priced Yanmar and Beta replacements (in the US) for my 1500.  Beta was a bit more expensive.  Shipping to FP may be less for a Yanmar.

I have a spare block but not sure if it is rebuildable.