R27(NW) repower from D3-200 to Yanmar 4LV-230: anyone done it?

The (2016) R27 I made an offer on last month did not make it through engine inspection, and I pulled the offer. Long story short, I really like the boat, but would only consider it with a new or rebuilt engine, and while Volvo does still sell D3 blocks, the shops I've asked all say not to touch the D3, and to go for a Yanmar 4LV. The overlay drawings one shop sent show that their dimensions are close, and at least the front mounts maybe in the same place.

I'm preparing a new offer accordingly, but searching the forums, I find no posts about a real-world experience of replacing a D3 with a Yanmar on the R27?

Has anyone done it? If so, can the boat handle 230 HP, or is the 195 all you want? New gearbox too? The exhaust was workable? Any recommendation on a shop (in Washington or BC) that's done it, and may even have jigs? What sort of cost am I looking at? Bottom line, is this a walk in the park, or is it going to be a first?

Thanks for listening.

I just finished repowering an R25 with a different engine from the original(Cummins to Yanmar). Due to my background I was able to have it pretty well figured out before hiring a shop. Would have done it myself if I had a place to work. I did have to walk the shop through a few issues along the way. I'm sure they would have figured it out on their own but having laid it all out myself beforehand was very useful. Here are a few thoughts:

• the extra hp isn't too much but likely not useful either. Due to the constraints on prop diameter on these boats there's a limit to how much HP is actually useful. If the new shaft rpm matches the original close enough you won't have to replace the prop. At worst you may have to have the wheel re-pitched
• a new gearbox is likely necessary with the different engine so you can probably choose gear ratio to match the old output rpm
• for planning/budgeting purposes I'd assume around $15-20k for installation
• dimensions of the mounting locations is not the primary concern. Engine feet/mounts are easily modified.
• all dimensions of the two engines need to be compared relative to the shaft coupling as that is constrained other than slight change forward/aft
• the engine centerline relative to the shaft/coupling is the basis of comparison
• gearbox shaft angle needs to match
• overall height and depth relative to the coupling
• overall length from coupling
• width on both sides from shaft centerline

If you can get the boat plus repower for the same overall cost I'd consider it a blessing. We looked at a couple of R27s and passed on them due to the D3 engines. We elected to stick with the R25 and repower instead.

Feel free to PM me if you want further discussion and/or to talk by phone. BB Marine(aka Brian) is another great resource here on the forum that you may want to contact via PM.

There is a 2009 R29 for sale on YachtWorld that has been re-powered with 4LV250 bobtail matched to the original gear (on the 6BY2). I inquired about total cost (engine plus install) - $75,000 USD .

Thanks. So that's a Yanmar 6BY2 to a Yanmar 4LV, and I'm assuming an R29 has more room in the engine compartment than an R27; it may even be that a 4LV is smaller than a 6BY2. Increasingly thinking that the only repower option for an R27 with a D3 is another D3; various dealers tell me there are still a few new blocks floating around. For that I've gotten one rough estimate of CA$60k including new gearbox but before upsized shaft and prop and rebuilding turbo, alternator and pumps.

Coogie99 said:

Thanks. So that's a Yanmar 6BY2 to a Yanmar 4LV, and I'm assuming an R29 has more room in the engine compartment than an R27; it may even be that a 4LV is smaller than a 6BY2. Increasingly thinking that the only repower option for an R27 with a D3 is another D3; various dealers tell me there are still a few new blocks floating around. For that I've gotten one rough estimate of CA$60k including new gearbox but before upsized shaft and prop and rebuilding turbo, alternator and pumps.

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It depends on how much HP you want. There are other engines that will fit but not 200hp. I think Mercruiser is max 170hp and the only Yanmar that will fit is 110hp.

I repowered my 2008 R25 but went the opposite direction. Original 150hp , 130 second engine (the one I received it with ) now have a beta marine 62hp. I cruise now 2200rpm at 6.5-7kts and have been burning 1.15gal per hour all summer. I wanted 85hp beta but it would not fit. There are not a lot of choices out there that will fit in these rangers. Everything is a bit of a tight fit if it will work without major modifications. The yanmar 110 was on my list but it was 18-20 month wait at the time, so I halved the power, went full mechanical no common rail and have a rock solid simple displacement speed trawler now. I posted a lot here if you look for the repower. Good luck with the repower!

Interesting. What kind of fitment issues if any did you encounter? What was the difference in cost ?
I hear that the Beta engines are relatively inexpensive. R