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Cummins 330/315 6BTA, is this a good engine..?

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by Norseman, Sep 21, 2015.

  1. Norseman, Sep 21, 2015
    #1
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    [​IMG]

    1996 engine with 1300 hrs.
    Looks clean and dry as a bone, but in the upper right hand corner there is a hose and
    hose clamps sprayed with white paint indicating the whole engine may be painted for a quick sale.
    Not sure if I should walk away or thrust a good engine survey...?
  2. RER, Sep 21, 2015
    #2
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    In general? Probably the most popular small boat diesel throughout the 1990's in terms of public perception - until it was replaced with the common rail electronic stuff.

    This one looks like a spray can overhaul to me. Get a mechanical inspection with trial run and oil analysis. A leaking oil cooler can dump salt water directly on to the air intake. Confirm factory scheduled valve adjustments. Typical deferred maintenance items are heat exchanger, oil cooler, water pump and aftercooler. Not sure what you mean about the dry as a bone part. Engines are supposed to be dry.
  3. Norseman, Sep 21, 2015
    #3
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Thanks, good info.
    It looks dry, as in no leaks from coolant, oil, fuel etc.
    A rag and a spray can could also make it look dry.

    What about the dual rating: 330/315, how does that work?
  4. RER, Sep 21, 2015
    #4
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    315, 330, 370 each turn a couple hundred RPM higher than the other developing additional HP.
  5. Norseman, Sep 21, 2015
    #5
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    This particular engine has both ratings as per the advertisement:330/315.
    Not sure which it is, or a matter of tweaking the fuel control unit or governor?

    Engine/running gear:
    * Cummings 330/315 6bta with 1300 hrs
    * Zf 80v 1.4 gear with trolling valve
    * New PSS drip less shaft 2014
    * Shaft checked *2014
    * New 4 blade teinbridge prop, 18x22 tweaked for engine 2015
    * New engine mounts 2014
    * New flex plate 2014
    * New cutlass bearing
    * New Racor 900 and lines
    * New SoundDown in engine box
  6. Norseman, Sep 21, 2015
    #6
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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  7. Capt J, Sep 21, 2015
    #7
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The difference between 300 or 315 and 330hp is larger injectors, 330hp to 370hp is a larger turbo and aftercooled and possibly larger injectors I can't remember. They're good engines.

    I agree, someone took a spray can to the ENTIRE engine, even painted over the hoses and everything. Looks like a spray can overhaul to me, but a 315/330hp Cummins should go 5000-6000 hours if taken care of and not over propped (very important with Cummins).
  8. Norseman, Sep 21, 2015
    #8
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Thx Capt. J.
    You confirmed my suspicions.
    Should I even spend $500 going up there to check out the boat?
    Maybe, it could be good, but bad owner doing the spray paint Sh!t.
    My mother did not out squeeze out an idiot. ;)
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2015
  9. Norseman, Sep 22, 2015
    #9
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Somebody put a deposit on the boat, no longer available.
    Problem solved.
  10. Pascal, Sep 22, 2015
    #10
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    What s wrong about cleaning an engine and painting it? As long as the seller doesn't claim it was overhaul which doesn't seem to be the case here.

    Simple... You do a cold start to check for smoke, you do a sea trial and finally if it passes both test you get an engine and hull survey
  11. Norseman, Sep 22, 2015
    #11
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Nothing wrong with cleaning and painting but this was a lazy man's pain job:
    Masking tape over hose and hose clamps should be the minimum standard.