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Hey...for $400 that was what I got. Lucky to find mechanical injection and the good 509 casting not knowing anything about it ahead of time. Lucky it ran well! It turned out to be lighter than the Ford diesel. I also have a marine Detroit 3-53 but it is horribly heavy and half the power. This 6.5 engine is borderline too heavy for the stern of the boat. The 3 batteries are in the bow under the floor and the fuel tank is far forward to get it trimmed right. But I would do it again. Like they say, you can fly a brick given enough power.
I have to look at my old videos to remember when 13 mph was all I could get with the Perkins 4107 inboard diesel and it would overheat after 2 minutes wide open.The tide runs 6mph here and sometimes you think you go backwards. It is nice to know that it will now do 38mph if necessary....at the cost of 5 gallons per hour. The other bonus is that I have a much bigger open space in the center of the boat by making it into a stern drive. It makes for a good overnight camper in the Delta.
Yes, tree hugging politicians have an agenda. Any readers in the UK and Europe know that any diesel that gets less than 60mpg is worthless. These vehicles are not allowed to be imported in the USA. We have few used diesel engine choices. Yes, I live in California near San Francisco. We have plenty of regulations to deal with here with no room for home experimenters.
I would have preferred the Toyota Starlet diesel for my Metro but being a really cheap chap, I was not wanting to pay $1800 for an imported one. I put in the Kubota from a light tower that was wrecked and bought 2 engines for that magic $400 number again. I paid what both sellers asked without talking them down. I get lucky every so often.
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