Detroit 8/53 diesel ngine longevity

[celt]

I am looking at a boat that has almost 3000 hours on the original 8/53's. She is stored in the summer and used in the winter. Last few years have seen little use. Apparently the engines were well cared for over their lifetime. Most of what I read indicates 1500 hours for gas engines and 3000 for diesels in RECREATIONAL (not commercial) use is what yiou can reasonably expect. Any ideas? Celt

 

[BUSTER]

Those engines will run a lot longer than 3000 hours. The 53 series and the 8V-53 in particular was the least exploited of all the Detroits,meaning the Marinizers never bothered to fuel it to death, shortening it's lifecycle. In other words in their natural configuration,they will run at least 10,000 hours if they don't suffer a catastrophic major component failure.

The 8V-53's were known to break crankshafts ocasionally,but not a common problem. There are a lot of them still around and if I was to own one I would try to find a good core engine,because a lot of the major parts are not made anymore.

I say,If you like the boat .......buy it.

 

[Boatsb]

I have one in my boat with what we believe is over 8K hours and runs great.

 

[REBrueckner]

What is extremely important is how the engines were used. Ask the current owner. If you find he ran the engines at WOT, they are likely due for major work. If they were run normally, comments above apply and they should be good for many more years.