Blackfin 29 Engine Story
Upon purchase of Aquarius in June 2012, both engines ran well however port side had a vibration that we couldn't find. Speculation was either a alignment issue, or possibly a prop that had a nick in one blade. This engine would soon need a rebuild or replacement as it sucked water in a leaky aftercooler. We purchased a spare TAMD 41A motor while the original port side engine was rebuilt and finished by Maltarp Marine. The running spare TAMD 41A motor has been sold on Craigslist including stand with wheels.Video of that engine running linked here Tamd Running.The starboard side transmission went bad around Aug. 2015 after dropping fluid out of seal. We purchased 1 rebuilt transmission and rebuilt starboard side engine. Both motors have been rebuilt, port side is the most recent finish just prior to May 2019.
Additions to both engines are: remove standard 60 amp Volvo alternators and replace with custom built 200 amp alternators with enlarged charging wires. Fabricate custom turbo spacers for EGT sensors ( Pic Above ). Purchase and install EGT gauge/ transmision temp gauge/and turbo boost gauges. We also removed Volvo standard engine air filters and built custom intake filter assemblies in cockpit doubling as cockpit steps. Both intakes now have K & N style reusable filters installed. The filter location allows the engine to draw ambient intake air into engine, rather than sucking heated air of engine compartment. This keeps the horsepower the same throughout all engine room temperature changes. A diesel engine normally loses 2 horsepower for every 10 degrees of intake air temperature increase!
Both sets of aft engines mounts were replaced with new mounts. All original steel engine brackets mounting engine to longitudinals were replaced with 6061 custom anodized aluminum brackets for weight savings and longevity. Both mufflers were removed, and custom straight pipes installed along with new transom flaps. This allowed for much lower EGT and horsepower output gains.
Both engine room blowers were upgraded with larger, lower amp usage and quiter units. All venting has been replaced. All necessary hoses have been replaced. All fuel hoses have been replaced. Upgraded intake seawater filters have been installed.
Engine room layout has been updated and enlarged to allow for ease of maintenance while sitting between both engines on custom battery box, and minimal movement needed. A great feature is mobility around boat while engine covers, hatches are open. While doing maintenance, you can still move about even down to cabin to mix a drink! Try that on most standard twin inboard Blackfins, Bertrams, Topaz and others. Racor fuel filters have been rebuilt and relocated for maintenance ease. Oil changes are now completed on both engines in 1 hr. A/C filter is in easy clean location. Bennet trim tab motor has been upgraded and relocated for maintenance ease. Hynautic steering pump has been rebuilt and relocated to same area for ease of maintaining.
Old 1" thick heavy sound proofing was removed, and upgraded to 2" thick Roxul sound proofing that has a 2000 degree flash point. Old bonding system was removed, reengineered to 2018 standards and replaced. Old standard thru-hulls were replaced with custom machined low profile intakes and intake covers. Custom carbon forced flow intakes mounted, production fuel tank was removed, cleaned thouroughly, customized and rebuilt for future maintenance. Tank was then glassed with epoxy/fiberglass then painted before reinstall.Go To Current 2020 Story Page