Wk47 Boating engines Ford Lehman versus Perkins boat engine advantages, disadvantages

[@donnobles5272]

I recently went over to visit Brian Smith at American Diesel Corp. His father Bob Smith was the former managing director of Lehman Power. He was the one that was responsible for marinizing the British Ford diesel engines for Lehman The diesel engine in most Asian built trawlers was the Ford Lehman. The Ford diesel was produced in England and shipped over to Lehman up in New Jersey. It was then converted to be used in a boat and then shipped to Taiwan for installation in the new trawlers. In 1981 Bob Smith retired from Lehman Power and relocated his family to Kilmarnock, VA. He then opened up American Diesel Corporation there. Bob with his many years of experience, knew he could take the British Ford Diesel and make it better than what Lehman was making. He then began making the new improved Lehman that was called the American Diesel. He added ten upgrades over what Lehman made and then the new engines were packed up and sent to Taiwan to be installed in the new Trawlers. I live in Virginia, bought my trawler in New Jersey and brought it back to Virginia. I always thought it was a Lehman but I was wrong. I was thrilled when I found out I had the better diesel engine that was actually built in Virginia. I have the factory brochure to show the upgrades to the ford diesel that makes it better than the Lehman if you would like.

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

That’s super cool, thanks for sharing brother. I did not know that story. 🙏👍🏻

[@bertclements]

Thanks for sharing! Totally agree the best ole naturally aspirated engines out there. But I'm a Cummins 6BT guy. If you are repowering why not go with a more modern engine that will give you more power for the size and weight, parts not a problem. It you're worried about the turbocharger failing, you can always carry a spare.

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

Thanks for sharing

[@andrewmellon5072]

Thank you for another interesting and enjoyable video. I have owned both 4236 perkins and 120 hp Ford Leman. I cannot fault either. I favour the Ford easier to bleed, it needs the injector pump needs its own lub oil. Here in Europe, where fuel is expensive all Fords use more fuel than Perkins. The ford does not have heater plugs. Excess fuel button. I would not touch a turbo. I know they have to be on the big motors. Perkins rev higher.

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

That’s kinda what I experienced as well, thanks for sharing

[@fish1860]

We have a pair of Cat 3208s named Jake and Elwood. We have also had a Perkins 4-154, 5000 hrs great engine, just needs clean fuel

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

That’s awesome thanks for sharing the names of your engines, are Jake and Elwood N/As

[@bbmatthews2002]

Jake and Elwood. Well done. I like it. I, sadly, have not yet named my Perkins. Though Jules and Vincent came to mind. Still deciding.🙄

[@matui6983]

Ford Issues: the rubbish alloy conjoined inlet/exhaust manifolds. Weeping out the rear of the head and block. The Dorset (120hp) and later model Dover (130hp) are very good units. Parts arnt too bad, easy to work on. Perkins issues. The Hydraulic governor injector pumps on the 4/107 and 4/108 and 6/354 They can and do leak. The flat or horizontal engines leak, the 2 stage sumps cause issues. They use a lot of alloy components in saltwater circuits which isnt great. There really is one and one only marine diesel engine and that is any model of Gardner wether its 2 cylinder up to 8 cylinder and everything in between . Nothing but nothing will touch it for reliability and economy. Any engine get you out on the water but a Gardner will always get you home.

[@charlesdavenport2543]

Gardner engines are not really popular in the US. The cost to ship from the U.K. was more years ago than today's globalization allows. Perkins only survived because Cat didn't have a small engine to market. We call them Perkappillars. The Lehmans were just marinized Ford engines because, well, we had a lot of them. It's all a business decision. Try to find an American product that's all made in America. I had to start buying metric tools in the mid 1990's.

[@matui6983]

@@charlesdavenport2543 We have pretty much every brand and make of marine engine here in NZ. The UK built Ford Dagenham ( 40-100hp Trader) , Dorset ( 70-250+ hp D-series ) and Dover (80-300+ hp) models were marinized here using better equipment than the Lehmans esp the saltwater pumps, heat exchangers, oil coolers and exhaust manifolds. Gardner is still the top of the pile, 70 to 100,000 hrs is easily doable. Fords here have seen almost 20,000hrs without a rebuild. Older Perkins are still popular, even pretty worn out a Perkins will almost always start. The 4236 series is the best Perkins ever built. All the boats in our family are either Gardner or Ford powerd plus 2 x 6-71 Detroits as well but we have had Perkins, Yanmars, Bukhs. Most marine engines pre 2000 are ok. The basic engines are fine its all the gear hanging off them that lets them down. Volvos/Ovlovs arnt that flash below the 6 litre size units, above that they are fine. Same goes for Fiat/Iveco. Scanias are good. MAN's make the power but arnt renowned for their lifespan. Cummins are a good unit. Wouldnt give 2 cents for a Lombardini, Droffin, VM, Hyundai, or Ruggerini. Factory marinised Jappa engines like Hino, Isuzu are great. Yanmars do the job ( with the exception of the 315hp 6LP series)

[@charlesdavenport2543]

@@matui6983 2 thumbs up for the junk they hang on a block to "marinize" an engine. Most of the brands you mentioned are unknown in the US. Asking what the best pickup truck is here is like asking what the best anchor is in the boating world. Talk about a fight.

[@matui6983]

@@charlesdavenport2543 I wouldnt want to enter into that pickup truck debate. We dont get the trucks you have. Dodge is sold here and some Chevys but most Fords would be imported especially. Few Duramaxs her in boats and they seem ok, marine Powerstrokes/Navistars etc arnt flash. Cummins are good. Dont get many V8 Tacomas or the Nissan equivalent here. Our pickups are mostly midsize and Japanese with some VW Amaroks, and Mercedes units tossed in. The thing that kills common rails here is our rubbish diesel. Cars, trucks, trains in fact everything diesel powered all get the same fuel and its nowhere as good cetane wise as what you guys have over there.

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

I have never herd of that engine, and I have been in a lot of boats, I will pay attention now. Thanks for sharing

[@leftcoastcruising7080]

My boat is a Hershine 42 Sundeck trawler with twin Perkins 6.354Ts. I usually run at about 1800RPM, and make 9ish knots with a 4GPH burn. They’re great engines, and I’ve been really happy with them. I think I’d name them Neptune and Salacia, Roman god and goddess of water/sea.

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing, they are great motors 🙏

[@hawaiianpool]

Our Ford Lehman 120. Betty she is wonderful still smokes first thing but no longer drinks much

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

That’s awesome, Betty is a good friend and she will take care of you, once in a while you need to talk to her LOL 😆 🙏. God Bless and thanks for sharing the name of your boat motor

[@hawaiianpool]

@@NoRegretsLifestyleyes we love our Betty Ford . This engine is easy to maintain and extremely reliable. Yes, she was flawless on our recent gold 5,800 mile loop we burned 1,410 gallons on Adagio and Grand Haven down the Rivers, Across the 23 hr Gulf run, to Key West (we missed you) Down East , way down then , St Lawrence River, The Trent , North Channel, down Lake Michigan and back to Grand Haven . You are spot on when it comes to American Diesel, we were fortunate to have been in Bob’s last class in the fall of 2014. Happy Thanksgiving God Bless

[@haroldconnell2973]

Great video

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

Thanks for the visit, see you soon brother 😊

[@bbmatthews2002]

I’ve had both motors. My Lehman was a normally aspirated motor. My Perkins are turbos. I found my Lehman a little easier for me, but I am less experienced with my Perkins so far. If given the choice, I would likely get Lehman because of the service from Brian at American Diesel. Also, for the personally, I was more comfortable with my Lehman

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

I agree 100% for those same reasons

[@deanhimmelman1209]

Where is this trawler for sale that you mentiion and what price range

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

I have a 40 Defever the 43 Albin is sold

[@lesterwicklein717]

good stuff man thanks

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

No problem 👍

[@jmp.t28b99]

Not much info here relating to the engines. I have the Perkins 135 normally aspirated 6 cylinder engines. 6300 hours. I replaced the raw water pumps at 6200 hours. I don't travel enough to give an opinion but they run great and seem to use around 4 gallons an hour at 1600 RPM on my DeFEVER 44.

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

What speed are you running at 1600 RPMs. 7.5 knots? Thanks and do they have names?

[@hawaiianpool]

Thanks!

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

Brother thanks so much for the support it really means a lot. God Bless and have a great evening. 🙏😃

[@icaptain777]

Good day. Do you know how long will spare parts be available on the market for the Ford Lehman 120 engine?

[@FisherPost]

probably for as long as we are alive- American Diesel sells parts for them...

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

It’s hard to say, but I think we should be good for many years to come, but who knows.

[@timgreen4137]

I have a '67 GB 36 with twin Lehmans. They use the CAV pump, which doesn't require oil changes. The boat sat unused in the slip for over 9 years before I bought her. Changed the oil, filters, hoses. Both fired right up the first time. After they get up to operating temp, there's no smoke. Im told that they are "108s". But I can't find any documentation to support that. Only 120. Saw a small mention about the CAV pump being on a 110 engine. Anybody have any ideas which engine uses the CAV injector pump?

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

They are very forgiving motors for sure, thanks so much for sharing 🙏

[@ronobrien7187]

Have you checked with Brian at American Diesel? He is an encyclopedia of knowledge on FL. I gave him my S/N for both my FL thinking they were 120's. Brian told me they were 108's.

[@timgreen4137]

@@ronobrien7187 Brian told me they are 108s. I just can't find any info online about F/L 108s. I have the tech pubs that came originally with the boat. Those don't mention 108s either. I thought mine were 120s as well.

[@joejohnson307]

Jaco is Haco Paul, hehe enjoy

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

Thanks, not my best subject, thanks for letting me know. 🙏😃

[@joejohnson307]

@@NoRegretsLifestyle J in Spanish is usually pronounced as a H, as in Jose, Julio and so on

[@MrRules100]

Sorry but I have canceled my patreon membership as the channel is not supplying any useful information. I am interested in buying a cruiser/trawler to do the loop and for a live aboard but your channel doesn't seem to be helping my decision.

[@johnhickman2915]

I canceled mine a while ago. Paul is a really nice guy and a good man but he doesn't have much experience. He relatively new at boating and you can tell that just by listening to his comments and opinions.

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

Sorry to hear that, I am definitely not for everyone, good luck with your search, wish you the best. 🙏

[@Jmmondeau]

@@NoRegretsLifestyle Hey guys. I just posted a video on boat values that should align with your mantra (hopefully). Check it out and give me your opinion. I’m very frustrated with the boating market and it’s overinflated prices and inexperienced buyers keeping the prices high threw their ignorance. I’m not on the market but have friends who are. Jean.

[@donnobles5272]

Paul does a great job!@@NoRegretsLifestyle

[@jgoods19]

You claim to be an expert, but call Cummins engines Cummings? You are a fraud, let me guess..100 ton license? Get your head out of where the sun doesn't shine

[@610boating5]

Bert and Ernie

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

I like that thank you so much, have a great evening and a happy holiday🙏😆

[@capnrik6397]

I'll never ever buy another boat with a Perkins in it...

[@NoRegretsLifestyle]

I don’t hate them but I would prefer the Lehman if I have a choice

[@capnrik6397]

I don't hate much of anything but I remember when Perkins and Westerbeke totally abandoned those with older engines and attempted to force us to replace them with the new lines....reps for them actually told me their plan...sad because I really liked those engines

[@bbmatthews2002]

Interesting. I am a big fan of Transatlantic diesel in the Chesapeake/Hampton VA area. They work with fabricators or fabricate themselves. Not cheap, but the newer-fabricated kit has 40 more years of experience with Perkins built in, so my newer aftercooler is more efficient, for example.