Putting a big diesel engine in my krusty old lobster boat

PeterSripol

24 Jan 202416:16

Summary

TLDRIn this video, the creator shares his journey of installing a Cummins engine into his crusty lobster boat, marking the third installment of his 'bad life decisions' series. He details the process of removing the old engine, cleaning up, and making significant modifications to accommodate the new engine. The video also covers the installation of the engine, aligning it precisely using a 3D-printed jig, and the challenges faced during the project. The creator emphasizes the steep costs of marine equipment and the skills he's learning along the way, highlighting the value of online learning platforms like Skillshare in acquiring new skills for such DIY projects.

Takeaways

🛠️ The video documents the process of installing a Cummins engine in a boat, marking the third in a series of 'bad life decisions' for the creator.
🚤 The old engine was removed and cleaned, making way for the new engine, which required modifications to the boat's engine bay.
🔨 The new Cummins QSB 5.9 engine is a 380 horsepower, 2007 model with 400 hours, purchased secondhand for $26,000.
💰 The cost of the boat project is emphasized, with the transmission alone costing around $9,000, highlighting the expense of marine equipment.
🔧 The installation process involved DIY methods, including creating custom aluminum brackets and using a laser jig for precise alignment.
📐 The engine was aligned using a 3D-printed jig, showcasing the utility of 3D printing in complex projects like boat restoration.
🔄 The drive line installation was a significant challenge, but the use of a stainless steel shaft upgraded from the previous one.
🚪 Windows and the pilot house were remodeled to improve aesthetics and functionality, including increasing the combing and roof overhang.
🛠️ The boat was further refined with the use of total boat fairing putty, making the fiberglassing process easier and more efficient.
💡 A multitude of skills were learned and applied throughout the project, such as welding, electrical work, and fabrication.
🌊 The video ends with the anticipation of launching the boat in the water, with the engine successfully installed and functional.

Q & A

What was the main challenge the narrator faced when installing the Cummins engine?
-The main challenge was aligning the engine perfectly with the drive shaft, as there were no flexible components in the drive line, requiring extreme precision to ensure a proper fit.
How much did the narrator spend on the Cummins QSB 5.9 engine?
-The narrator spent $26,000 on the 380 horsepower version of the Cummins QSB 5.9 engine.
What year and model of the engine did the narrator purchase?
-The narrator purchased a 2007 Cummins engine with 400 hours on it.
What was the cost of the transmission for the boat?
-The transmission for the boat cost approximately $9,000.
How did the narrator ensure the engine was perfectly aligned with the boat's hole?
-The narrator used a laser jig, a 3D-printed device, to align the engine as straight as possible to fit it into the boat.
What online platform did the narrator use to learn new skills for the boat project?
-The narrator used Skillshare, an online learning community, to learn new skills for the boat project.
What material was used to fill and fair the boat's surfaces?
-Total Boat fairing, a two-part epoxy putty, was used to fill and fair the boat's surfaces.
How did the narrator create templates for the boat's parts?
-The narrator used a cardboard tracing method, where they traced the part onto cardboard, then used the cardboard as a template for cutting new pieces.
What type of metal was used to fabricate the boat's mast?
-6061 aluminum was used to fabricate the boat's mast.
How did the narrator address the issue of through-hull fittings on the boat?
-The narrator reduced the number of through-hull fittings from five to three and used giant pieces of G10 fiberglass epoxy to back the fittings, ensuring they wouldn't tear out.
What was the narrator's strategy for winterizing the boat?
-The narrator planned to add antifreeze to the engine and other parts to prevent freezing and damage during the winter months.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ Engine Installation and Boat Renovation

The paragraph describes the process of replacing an old boat engine with a new Cummins engine. The narrator discusses the challenges and decisions involved in the process, including cleaning the engine mounts, pressure washing the boat, and expanding the engine bay to fit the new engine. The cost of the engine and the transmission is mentioned, highlighting the high expenses associated with marine equipment. The paragraph also touches on the DIY aspect of the project, with the narrator fabricating new parts and aligning the engine using a 3D-printed jig. The goal is to have a fully functional and improved boat by the end of the project.

05:00

🚤 Learning New Skills and Boat Improvements

This paragraph focuses on the skills the narrator is learning and applying to improve the boat. It mentions the use of a laser-guided 3D printed jig and the software Fusion 360 for designing parts. The narrator also talks about the benefits of Skillshare, an online learning platform, in acquiring these new skills. The paragraph details the progress made on the boat, including fixing the drive line, upgrading the shaft size, and remodeling the Pilot House. The use of total boat fairing for easier fiberglass work is also discussed, along with the plan to build a custom mast and other boat features.

10:01

🔧 Electronics Setup and Engine Testing

The narrator moves on to the electronics setup and testing of the newly installed engine. They describe the process of connecting the engine's ECU, wiring up additional engine components, and the ease of the plug-and-play system. The paragraph details the importance of clean diesel fuel for the engine's health and the installation of a heavy fuel filter. The narrator then shares their excitement as the engine successfully starts for the first time, followed by the steps taken to prepare the engine for future use, including pressure testing and lubricating the engine cooler. The paragraph concludes with the narrator's satisfaction with the progress and the anticipation of future work.

15:01

❄️ Winterization and Future Plans

In this final paragraph, the narrator discusses the decision to winterize the boat due to the cold weather and the need to work on other projects to finance the boat's renovation. Despite the boat not being ready for water entry as initially planned, the narrator expresses happiness with the progress made, including the installation of the engine and prop shaft. The paragraph ends with a teaser for the next part of the project, where the boat will finally be launched, and the narrator reiterates the boat's purpose as a support vessel for various projects, hinting at future adventures with airplanes and submarines.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Cummins engine

A Cummins engine refers to a diesel engine manufactured by Cummins Inc., known for its reliability and durability. In the video, the creator installs a Cummins QSB 5.9 engine into their boat, which is a significant and costly upgrade. This engine is chosen for its 380 horsepower and is a central component of the boat's refurbishment project.

💡Boat refurbishment

Boat refurbishment involves the process of renovating or upgrading a boat, which includes replacing old parts, cleaning, and making structural improvements. In the video, the main theme revolves around the extensive refurbishment of a lobster boat, including installing a new engine, expanding the engine bay, and remodeling the boat's interior and exterior.

💡Engine mounts

Engine mounts are structures that hold the engine in place within a vehicle or boat. They are crucial for absorbing vibrations and ensuring the engine is securely fastened. In the context of the video, the creator mentions cleaning the engine mounts as part of the preparation process before installing the new Cummins engine.

💡Bilge sauce

Bilge sauce is a colloquial term for the accumulated dirt, grime, and water at the bottom of a boat's hull, known as the bilge. In the video, the creator refers to the process of cleaning out 40-year-old bilge sauce from the boat, which is a necessary step in the refurbishment process to ensure a clean and functional engine room.

💡Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a composite material made of glass fibers reinforced in a resin matrix. It is commonly used in the construction and repair of boats due to its strength and lightweight properties. In the video, the creator cuts and works with fiberglass to expand the engine bay and remodel parts of the boat.

💡3D printing

3D printing is a manufacturing process where an object is created by laying down successive layers of material. In the video, the creator uses 3D printing to design and fabricate a special jig for aligning the engine with the boat's driveshaft, showcasing the technology's application in custom boat parts fabrication.

💡Drive line

A drive line in a boat typically refers to the system that transfers power from the engine to the propeller. It includes the shaft, couplings, and related components. The video describes the process of installing a new stainless steel drive shaft and aligning it precisely with the engine and boat structure to ensure efficient power transmission.

💡Winterization

Winterization is the process of preparing a boat for storage during the winter months to prevent damage from freezing temperatures. In the video, the creator mentions winterizing the boat, which includes adding antifreeze to prevent the water inside the engine from freezing and potentially causing damage.

💡Skillshare

Skillshare is an online learning community that offers a wide range of courses taught by experts in various fields. In the video, the creator promotes Skillshare as a resource for learning new skills, such as 3D printing and other DIY techniques, which are relevant to the boat refurbishment project.

💡Pilot House

The pilot house is the area on a boat where the ship's controls are located and from which the vessel is navigated. In the video, the creator describes remodeling the pilot house, including cutting out and reinstalling windows and changing the overall appearance to improve the boat's functionality and aesthetics.

💡Through hull fittings

Through hull fittings are components that pass through the boat's hull to allow water intake or outflow, such as for seawater pumps or depth transducers. In the video, the creator discusses reducing the number of through hull fittings and using high-quality materials like G10 fiberglass to ensure a strong and leak-free seal.

Highlights

The narrator discusses making bad life decisions with previous videos, leading to the current project of installing a Cummins engine into a crusty lobster boat.

The process began with removing the old engine and cleaning the engine mounts, which involved collecting 40-year-old bilge sauce.

The engine room needed expansion to fit the new engine, which was narrower below but fatter on top, requiring modifications to the boat.

The new engine is a Cummins QSB 5.9 with 380 horsepower, purchased secondhand for $26,000, highlighting the high costs of marine equipment.

The transmission for the boat was also expensive, costing around $9,000, contributing to the regret of the narrator over the expenses.

The narrator and Sam, a friend, worked on aligning the engine using a laser jig they 3D printed, which was crucial for the engine's installation due to the rigid driveline setup.

The engine was successfully installed within a very close tolerance, impressing an expert who checked their work.

Skillshare is mentioned as a platform where the narrator learned new skills, such as using Fusion 360 for 3D printing the laser jig.

The narrator shares a trick for making templates using cardboard, which proved to be accurate and efficient for boat remodeling.

The boat's makeover includes remodeling the pilot house, installing new windows, and extending the combing roof overhang.

The narrator decided to build their own mast instead of buying one, using 6061 aluminum pieces.

The boat is equipped with through-hull fittings for seawater intake and auxiliary pumps, with a focus on preventing leaks and ensuring durability.

G10 fiberglass epoxy was used to patch through holes and provide backing for fittings to prevent tear-out and potential sinking.

The narrator's first attempt at stainless steel TIG welding is documented, showing a learning curve in the process.

The engine is tested and starts successfully, providing relief and excitement for the narrator.

The boat is winterized due to the cold weather and the narrator's need to focus on other projects to finance the boat's completion.

The boat serves as a support vessel for various projects, including flying airplanes and submarine exploration.