Perkins T6.354 Mechanic? (San Diego)

[Raaf]

Hi,

First off, I will introduce myself. My name is Raaf and I have just purchased a '79 Californian 34 Sedan and I am located in San Diego. I have been using this site extensively for the past year (although never registered) and found it to be a great resource - it helped inform my boat selection and decision to purchase.

So...to begin...thank you for that.

My boat is running smoothly but needs a complete maintenance refresh on the engines, twin Perkins T6.354s (185hp). Work would include new gaskets, hoses, heat exchangers (corroded), exhaust manifolds (corroded). Like I said, boat is running nicely overall, but it is also smoking quite a bit (especially at higher RPMs) and I believe much of this is traced to gaskets, etc.

Question - can anyone recommend a good Perkins shop or mechanic in San Diego? Parts seem fairly straightforward to find, mechanics not as much.

Thank you in advance.

-- Raaf

 

[Raaf]

I'll take a shot at answering my own post. I. I was able to get a recommendation offline. Apparently this is the only Perkins mechanic in San Diego:

https://craigsmarine.com/

If anyone knows anyone else, please share.

Thanks,

Raaf

 

[DBoat]

Welcome Raaf,
It looks like we have sister boats! I've only owned mine for a month and a half.
I have the same engines and I am in Oceanside. I will PM you the contact info for the mechanic that is currently working on my engines.

 

[Raaf]

I'd appreciate that David. Nice to (virtually) meet you.

I'll look forward to your message.

-- Raaf

 

[DBoat]

Nice to meet you as well.

I'd be interested to know what your diesel mechanic finds as he goes through your motors.

So far on ours we have done a fluids and filter changes. It looks like we might need to get the Turbos rebuilt at some point. One of my starters is all corroded and needs to be rebuilt or replaced. There is a pinched exhaust hose elbow that we are going to be replacing today with a fiberglass elbow. I'm going to be replacing one of the Tachometer senders and Tach gauges. I also have an intermittent temperature sensor that we need to figure out.

Also, I believe that our engines are designated T6.354 M.G.T. because they are rated at 185 hp. You should see a large "Bread Box" on the back(stern end) of the motor that is the Intercooler that allows the 185 hp. It is hard to find a ton of info on this specific engine. You didn't happen to get any engine documentation with the boat did you?

 

[Raaf]

I don't recall seeing the breadbox but it sounds like I've probably got one.

As for documentation, there is supposedly quite a bit on the boat along with a few truckloads of other things stored by the prior owner over the last 30 years of ownership. I know he definitely erred on the side of keeping as much as possible.

I will be running through everything over the holidays and will definitely let you know if I find anything.

I'll also keep you posted on what I hear as I work with the mechanic. I'll PM you some more info on my mechanical survey - just to compare notes as we try to keep these engines healthy.

 

[Baba Yaga]

Welcome Raaf,

I too own a 34 LRC here in San Diego, same engines. There are three of us over at Harbor Island West Marina with 34 LRC’s.

Where are you located?

I can’t suggest a local mechanic but if you have any other questions feel free to hit me or one of the guys up.

 

[DBoat]

If I ever make it down to San Diego we should have a Californian meetup!

We just got done with our engine service. We replaced all fluids. We also had to basically replace all the exhaust components. The previous work done on the exhaust was not done properly. Make sure that your mechanic takes a good look at that. Before we bought, they had an exhaust blowout and our whole bilge area is black!

 

[STB]

I used to live in San Diego and had my boat in Wilmington, CA (LA Area).

For parts in that area your best bet is probably S&W Diesel in Wilmington, CA (Los Angeles area): 310-835-3155 Scott, Don, Chris, and Angel have taken great care of me over the years. Shipping to your door will be next day via UPS ground. No one on earth knows those engines better than them. Really.

Trans-Atlantic Diesel in Virginia is another good, extremely knowledgeable source, but they are east coast (804-642-9296). Diesel Parts Direct (https://www.dieselpartsdirect.com/) is another source of parts -- but I try to avoid them, even when cheaper, just because they can't and don't provide the support that S&W (or TAD) do.

As for mechanics, I don't know any in San Diego. But, I can recommend two in the LA area. I used to keep my boat berthed there for easier access to Catalina. Martin Ball (MJB Marine) is a Perkins-specialist mechanic (310-508-9036). He basically works on 4.107, 4.108, and 6.354 engines. And Chris at S&W (310-835-3155) also did great work on my boat. I used to use both of them, depending upon who was more available when. They know each other, have worked together for years, help each other out, and don't mind working with and after each other, etc.

And, yes, the 185hp version of that engine is the MGT and originally had a "breadbox" intercooler:
-- http://www.oldmarineengine.com/discus/messages/3/252805.jpg

But, many have since been replaced with those that look more like these:
-- https://www.mrcool.us/pub/media/cat...36ca73e6e28ba6facb7d63dcfe0/2/4/2486823_1.jpg

Not sure if this is of any help to you as LA is is not San Diego. But, it is close. If you need a slip in LA to get work done, contact Island Yacht Anchorage (310-830-1111, Slips@islandyachtmarina.com), ask for Terry, and see if you can get a transient slip at "Island Yacht #2". She is normally pretty reasonable on rates and flexible about time. And, as long as your contractors are well-behaved, allows all types of work there: Mechanics, painters, fiberglass folks, etc. There is an area at the back of #2 where she basically puts "project boats" to let them work and stay out of others way, and risk fewer complaints, etc.

 

[READY]

Coleman Diesel on Shelter Island has always been fair with me. I have Lehmans but I am sure they would do a fine job on your Perkins. They take a conservative approach and will be honest about what needs to be done now vs what you might want to plan down the road. I too am in Harbor Island West. Feel free to PM and i can share my mobile. Have been in the area for 10 years so might be able to provide some useful info.

 

[Bustlebomb]

Sorry I don’t have Perkins and can’t help on that front but I’m in Huntington Harbour (Huntington Beach). It would be really great to get a group of Californians together somewhere in the so cal area to hang out.

 

[jgwinks]

I have the same engines in my new to me Concorde 41. Only 600 hours and fresh water so hopefully no corrosion problems. On the hard now so I haven't been able to run it beyond the sea trial. Took quite a bit of searching to ID the specific model. Besides the large square after cooler on the aft end the MGT has the coolant tank and HX in the middle port side instead of the front. I think it's the only one like that.

 

[Muckey]

I need a perkins mechanic in San Diego I have a sister ship 82 34' LRC Califonian

 

[pmelo]

Hi everyone,

I just arrived in San Diego and also have a single t6.354 with and exhaust leak after the turbo and need a Perkins mechanic as well.

Raaf were you able to get a Perkins mechanic to do the work on your engines? If so, would you mind sharing name/contact information? I’m a liveaboard so I’m looking for someone that is ideally mobile.

Thank you!

 

[Datenight]

Hi everyone,

I just arrived in San Diego and also have a single t6.354 with and exhaust leak after the turbo and need a Perkins mechanic as well.

Thank you!

Pmelo,

Just my experience. I had and exhaust leak in the same area on my 6-354 several boats ago. It turned out to be a bad clamp. An easy fix and I was able to get the clamp a a local diesel shop.

Might be worth a look.

Rob

 

[pmelo]

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the quick reply. I will take a look at that then.

Also, do you know what kind of material the fabric sleeve that wraps around the elbow might be made of? Mine is getting old and I wonder if it’s asbestos I should probably remove it. Picture attached.

My boat is a Roughwater 41 from 1978.

Thanks

 

[Muckey]

Call 619 452 4351 Daniel

 

[Datenight]

Hi Rob,

Mine is getting old and I wonder if it’s asbestos

Pmelo,

It likely is asbestos but not an issue unless it is crumbly. A Google search will give a wide variety of high temperature wraps. I'm sure someone makes one for a Holset turbo if you want a made to order cover.

Rob

 

[Greg Grivetto]

I’m looking a couple Perkins powered Californians in San Diego. Warm leads for Perkins mechanics would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Dwk]

Those turbo blankets are asbestos with a fire proof covering and available at Transatlantic Diesel that fit the “pot “ that fits between the turbo and exhaust riser. I recently replaced our pot after discovering an exhaust leak that came with a blanket from Transatlantic Diesel.