2300 scr engine change

[Blue moon]

Hi everybody, I am the recent new owner of a 1991 maxum 2300scr. It came with no engine which was a choice of mine as I wanted to fit a recon engine as I take my children on the boat and want the best reliability as possible, whilst researching engines I started to get the bug for fitting a diesel. I have found a Yanma 4LH STE with very low hours, complete with leg, loom, clocks and all other bits (basically a plug and play) My question is - can anyone tell me if it will fit into my boat? I know they fitted these engines in the slightly larger Maxums but I can’t find any evidence of them being fitted into the 2300.
Any knowledge offered would be greatly appreciated.
P.S., there will be many more questions to come!

[mmwjr]

I can help with if it will fit but most diesels require a fuel return to the fuel tank which the gas powered boat won’t have but you may be able to modify the tank for one.

[Blue moon]

Thanks Mike, I see no real difficulty in fitting a return pipe and appreciate there will be things to do that I don’t know about yet. I know a fair bit about mechanics and am blessed with a couple of mates who know far more than me but our knowledge leans towards cars not boats, all my previous boats have been outboards, so a new experience for me. Any help would be great.
Thanks.
Lee.

[mmwjr]

Lee I’m assuming this boat originally had a small block Mercruiser (5.0/5.7) which is a Chevy marinized engine and a google search should give you the dimensions which you can then compare to the diesel you are looking at. You can fine the Mercruiser manual under Documents of this site.

[Blue moon]

Cheers Mike, done that but my issue is I have no engine in the compartment to measure from where it actually lies, but as per your advice I have compared the dimensions properly and they are close enough as to assume the engine is compatible. ( main difference is the Yanma is around 250mm taller)
But I have several different types of hammers should it need a bit of convincing!

[mmwjr]

Lol Lee.

The old persuader trick

[shrew]

That Yanmar Diesel with the outdrive was intended to replace the Mercruiser Big blocks. It will more than likely require some reconfiguration of the motor mounts.

I would be hesitant to shoe horn that into a 2300.

[Blue moon]

Thanks for your replys, it turns out I should have bought a 2400 as these have slightly larger bays so you can play around with different engines. Looks like I am stuck with a 5.0 or 5.7 v8.
Which is the best model year to buy for reliability and fuel economy? I am assuming the later ones have electronic fuel injection and run from a more up to date ECU.
Thanks everyone.
To you guys in the USA remember this………. Petrol from a marina in the UK is approximately £12.00 per gallon (14 USD)
The British government firmly believe that running an internal combustion engine should be a criminal offence!

[mmwjr]

I would go with the 5.7 over the 5.0 if you typically cruise around 24 mph or faster with 4 or more souls on board. Another option is a GM LS Mercruiser engine. All three can be purchased with MPI.