Engine conversion question

[Brad_K]

Hi all, once again I need some advice. I have posted this over on CorrectCraftFan aswel so sorry if you read it twice. I have got a 1980 Barefoot Nautique which has the 7.4 pleasure craft V8 which I believe is called the 454. This is the original engine that came in the boat and it is 100% perfect with no problems. The problem I have is that the Fuel prices in the UK are huge and so am burning around £80 per 4.5hour session which is about $136. I have spoken to a main agent about an LPG conversion which I am going to do but he has also offered me an engine conversion free of charge to the smaller Ford Windsor based unit which I think is a 5.7 V8 with a years warranty. This engine is a 1998 and so much newer but my question is will this engine burn much less fuel to make it worthwhile, and will the drop in performance effect me at all? I mainly wakeboard if that makes any difference. I dont run with any balast at the moment but am going to be adding quite alot soon and will the small engine still have the power with fully loaded balast?

Thanks

[Mikeski]

RE: Engine conversion question

You will see a drop in performance from both the fuel change and the drop in engine size, a fairly significant change. However, the 5.8L Ford running on LPG should work well if you are not the worried about top end, just use a 13x11.5" prop.

Why don't you convert the existing motor to LPG?

[Laptom]

RE: Engine conversion question

Brad_K, I also own a Barefoot with a 454. We burn about 18littre/h or 4.5g/h with wakeboarding. We also have a 2000 SAN with a 5.8 V8 and it uses the same amount of fuel an hour. Granted, the SAN is heavier.
I strongly suggest if the 454 is a good engine to use a LPG conversion. The 454 doesn't have to pull that hard to pull a wakeboarder and therefor doesn't burn alot of fuel. I think the fueleconomics on a small block is at the most 10% better then the 454, and if you use ballast I imagine the percentage only get smaller.
Keep the Barefoot original with the 454 and get the cheap (and environmental friendly) LPG.

[Chopper]

RE: Engine conversion question

Have you considdered refueling problems with the LPG.? IE, not being able to fill up anywhere buta service station.?

[NCH2oSki]

RE: Engine conversion question

LP seems to be the preferred fuel in the UK for boats.

[Laptom]

RE: Engine conversion question

Not only in the Uk, but also in the Netherlands, Belgium and some parts of Germany.

Chopper; You've got portable tanks for LPG, so refueling is in most cases not a huge problem. And most boats stay bifuel, so they will run on LPG and Petrol. When the LPG tanks are empty, flip a switch and you are running on petrol.