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Rebuild my 1981 - 46 Post Detroit 6-71 TI's

Discussion in 'Post Yacht' started by P46-Curaçao, Feb 17, 2016.

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  1. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    Description of my engine rebuild, just for who's interested!

    I bought my Post about 2,5 years ago, extremely cheap, but with a lot of TLC. I invested about 60-70k and replaced and/or updated almost everything... too much to mention!

    Finally the last part where the engines, they worked great till I decided to rebuild them, nothing was broken, but they started after 3-4 turns (low compression) and smoked like h.ll at startup, I found that very embarrassing at the Marina and at the boaters 'meet and great' place on Sunday's.

    So, nothing was broken, but I decided to replace the below parts on both Detroit 6-71 TI engines

    - SB Cylinder head (new*, not rebuild)
    - Port Cylinder head rebuild (former owner stated he bought it new 3-4 years ago)
    - All injectors rebuild
    - All new Cylinder liners and pistons, incl. bearings etc.
    - New blowers
    - New turbo's incl. all hoses
    - New oil pumps
    - New oil pans
    - All new fresh and raw water pumps
    - New fuel pumps
    - New starters
    - Rebuild both governors
    - Cleaned out all 4 engine breathers (TIP)
    - Installed new complete Walker Airsep systems

    Note: new*=not rebuild

    And of course a lot of small parts, like zinc anodes, hoses, clamps, thermostats, 12v cables etc, etc, and we also cleaned fresh and raw water circuits

    Would I do something different... yes, I would paint the engine before all new parts where installed, but a lack of time forced me to do that afterwards... and that's a hard job to do it nicely!!

    My local father/son mechanics have 35/8 years experience, they were always on time, within a Caribbean 1/2 hour, and that's unique!!!

    Things still to do: find new water temp sensors matching my instruments (help!) I have a digital (Celsius) spare system mounted already, but would like to have that matched with my original (Fahrenheit) meters.

    Cost: Approximately $18-20k all-in... I find that amazing!!!
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2016
  2. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    Good info. So, do they still smoke on start ?
  3. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    They don't smoke (white) for more then 5 seconds... same like your breath at a cold winter day...;-))
  4. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    That's great.
    Mine are like yours WERE.
    I am ok with it for the now.
    The re-builds are on my long term plan.
  5. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    They where OK for me too for a long time, but after I finished all the rest, this was my last major investment... think I will never sell my Post (only if I win the lottery.. LOL)

    Forgot to mention, I sold all used (but not broken) parts to local fishermen for about $3K
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Your new* comment interest me. I did not know of any new castings in a long time.
    Can you expand on the new* source?
  7. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    RPM Diesel in Ft Lauderdale sells a lot of new components, and I found some old stock on eBay too!
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Was this an in-frame or where they pulled out?
  9. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    In-frame!
  10. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Let me make sure I'm on your page. That was a NEW NOT rebuilt (reliabuilt) 671 head?
  11. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    Yep, correct! Cost me $ 3700,- from a Detroit dealer!

    FYI, my mechanic warned me for Reliabuilt... too old stock, with too many problems in their experience...
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2016
  12. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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    Reliabuilt - I have read bad things on the forum but I haven't heard any bad things from a couple mechanic's I know.
    I did not lead them in any direction, just asked if they had any problems.
  13. RT46

    RT46 Senior Member

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    P46,

    Great job on your 46 Post.

    About 5 years ago I recall getting a price of $4400 for a TIB head with J valves and core trade from J&T.
    I ended up rebuilding the existing head.


    Do you know the weight of your boat as rigged?

    Do you have any performance numbers yet on the rebuilds?

    What wheels are you running?
  14. Post Mayhem

    Post Mayhem Member

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    P-46, I gather the rebuild was done in Fl? If so, it gives me heart. That maybe I will get by for a little less even. I hope that based on my trans overhaul being less here than it would have been in Fl. Time will tell. Thanks for the info
  15. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    All work was done on Curacao, labor is cheaper over here, plus I travel on a regular basis to the US, and take a lot of parts for the mechanics with me, so we have a win-win situation and they're a little more flexible with me for sure!
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Reliabilt parts have had some major issues back in 2006-2009ish. I had a motor rebuilt 2007, reliabilt cylinder head had a cracked seat after 80 hours and chipped valve, 5 out of 12 reliabilt injectors were bad etc. As far as I know the reliabilt parts after that era are solid, BUT factory new parts are always preferred.
  17. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    Still same experience with Reliabilt injectors, due to mistake of rebuilder, they gave me Reliabilts... and 4 out of 12 where bad!! Finally I got my originals rebuild, and all OK!
  18. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Always find a shop that can pop & match the injectors before installing. It saves so much time and headache.
    Every time I have purchased ANYBODY'S N90s off the shelf, I have regretted it.
  19. P46-Curaçao

    P46-Curaçao Senior Member

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    Sorry RT46, forgot your question, unfortunately the yards hydraulic trailer has no weight scale (they say)...
    And no numbers yet, after the rebuild I had to dock for bottom paint etc....
    Props still the same, 3 blade 24x27
  20. RT46

    RT46 Senior Member

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    w0w! I am running 24x24