detroit 4-53 rebuild

[Bluesbrother]

Anyone have an idea how much parts would cost to rebuild a DD 4-53 (turbo)? Is it smart to do starter, altenator etc?

[baitkiller]

industrial diesel has in frame kits for about 800$ (800-323-3659) then you need a valve job or re-manned head, remanned turbo, remanned injectors, all pumps and cooler serviced etc.

We used to figure around 2000$ per cylinder as a base line price.
DIY is much cheaper.

[Bluesbrother]

Thanks so much baitkiller, do you know anything about these engines, they are currently in a 31 Bertram. Can you rebuild them more then once? When you rebuild, can you change HP? Are they thirsty in this application?

[Moby1]

The old Detroit's can be rebuilt many times as long as the crank and block are in good shape. My 6-92's just went through their second overhaul. Changing the HP can be done with different injectors and possibly some other changes. For example my engines were bumped from 435hp to 550hp and it required injectors,blower bypass, timing advance, and larger exhausts. Try posting this question on boatdiesel.com I'm sure some of the Detroit gurus can answer this better then me!!

[redseacraft]

2000 per cyl is like 16000 just to rebuild. A used pair of 170/230 Yanmars or perhaps jumping up to 6bta's used/reman'd perhaps would be a better choice. What was the HP those little guys were putting out? What was the max hp they ever were at the factory.

If I'm not mistaken that motor was used extensively as a trawler/lg sailboat application.

[Moby1]

Originally Posted by redseacraft

2000 per cyl is like 16000 just to rebuild. A used pair of 170/230 Yanmars or perhaps jumping up to 6bta's used/reman'd perhaps would be a better choice. What was the HP those little guys were putting out? What was the max hp they ever were at the factory.

If I'm not mistaken that motor was used extensively as a trawler/lg sailboat application.

I think they were somewhere around 120 to 140 hp with the Natural configuration. I didn't know you could get a 453 turbo. These were the engines in the 42 and 48 Hatteras long range cruisers. Long lasting, VERY loud little engine!!

[baitkiller]

Originally Posted by redseacraft

2000 per cyl is like 16000 just to rebuild. A used pair of 170/230 Yanmars or perhaps jumping up to 6bta's used/reman'd perhaps would be a better choice. What was the HP those little guys were putting out? What was the max hp they ever were at the factory.

If I'm not mistaken that motor was used extensively as a trawler/lg sailboat application.

Brian very close. You forget that you would need gears and re-engineered engine beds and also the length of bed between spaces to install new power. In line sixers are longer. That all costs money. Shop time at 105$ an hour adds quick. The real number we worked with was 1100 a hole but that was nine years ago when we slammed the doors. I figured it has to be 2K by now. That engine saw primary duty (and still does) as a generator engine for running air compressors, jack hammers etc. DD pumped up the ponies by dumping in a ton of boost and big injectors for marine duty and it never really paid for its weight. Not a great boat engine by any stretch. But that was not the question!

If given the option would i re-power?

AbsaF'nlutley. But that was not the question. A pair of 6.2 Horizon gassers would be better money spent and likely fit in the space.
Could I in-frame both of them in a weekend? With good help, yes.

NOTE***** change the connecting rods! Exchange rods are cheap! Do it!!!!! Oh and a golf ball works well for setting the piston pin caps.